Whoa! How did this happen?
Welcome to my brand-new, shiny, sparkly home on the Internet! Isn't it the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?!
Some of you might have come here today because you received the newsletter - yay! Welcome!
Some of you might have come here because your friend at the office can't stop raving about their family photos earlier this fall - Welcome!
I've been a busy bee preparing for this day and I have so many people to thank for helping make these dreams come true:
All this newness you see here is brought to you by the ever-lovely Rae Danneman of Rae Alexis Design. I can't thank her enough for all her patience over the last few months - she took everything I love about my brand and expanded it, threw some glitter over it and made it shine. Every time I look at my new cards, my new packaging and this website, I get a little verklempt and my heart swells. Thank you, Rae, for seeing the beauty in this little business and spending so much time making sure it looks just right.
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I'd been Internet-stalking her for months and with a push from my bestie Hannah, I finally said hello in January. From that instant on, Melissa Oholendt joined Team Syd and we haven't looked back. She's been so supportive and awesome throughout this year of changes and big steps. We played around in downtown Minneapolis one night during the golden hour and captured the images you'll find in my new brand. We both love design, confetti, sparkly glitter and peach roses - what could be better? Thank YOU, Melissa!
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Try as I might, I don't always look this cute. Trust me! But at least my hair is always cute, courtesy of my amazing hair stylist Lydia over at Salon Rox - she's been with me for 5 years now and those bangs? Her idea. The makeup in these new photos? Her idea. See? I can't take credit for this sweetness!
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My networking attempts quickly turned into friendworking successes and to all the photographers, artists, creatives, business guys and gals, family, friends and dreamers I met with over the last year - thank you. Those words are never enough to express my gratitude for your asking the hard questions, the ones that really tugged at my heart and got me thinking. And even better? You've got me believing that dreams really do come true.
Here's the backstory on my re-branding process:
I realized very quickly about a year ago that I am not a graphic designer. I'm a photographer, a dreamer and a creative person but I don't know the first thing about how to create something from scratch. And I needed new business cards desperately. And while we're at it, why not a new website and let's get that packaging situation squared away too! I contacted Rae and after meeting once, she came up with the heart idea. It took a little while for me to get used to it but once I really did the homework from Making Things Happen, I realized how much I really love LOVE.
Love is the beginning and the end of everything I do. It's the thing that keeps me interested in telling stories. The love between a newly engaged couple that's positively giddy in the planning process of their wedding. The love between a new mom and dad cradling their newborn for the first time at home. The love in the eyes of parents watching their son or daughter read from the Torah at their mitzvah.
I've spent a lot of time with images in the last year. My friends and family can attest to this because I haven't been around much. This sounds strange, but I've spent hours editing your images to ensure that each one captures your love story. With as much time as your images and I have spent together, we've decided one thing:
I'm only shooting weddings, mitzvahs and families.
This was not an easy decision to make because I adore all my clients, no matter what the job. But my heart is with these families who ask me to be a part of the big events and the small ones too.
I believe that families make the world go round and every stage of life should be photographed. Recently, I've realized how incredibly short life can be - and in the end, all we have are our memories. If I can be there to give you those memories on film, then I will be! I'm so blessed by my clients who, 10 times out of 10, turn out to be my friends at the end of the session. I want to tell the story of who and what you love. And in order for me to do this, I need to refocus and center my time investing in these weddings, these mitzvahs and all my amazing families.
And just when we thought I couldn't get enough of all that family love, I'm offering another mini session date! These sessions are open to couples and families.
Sunday, November 18th from 9 am to 3 pm - just in time for holiday card orders! Bring your kiddos, your cutie husband or wife and let's make magic - I'll have some fun props (holiday and non holiday) and we'll capture that perfect image to send out to all your peeps for the holidays!
This session comes with a bonus: my advice and design for the cards - what could be better? I take the photo, design the card and all you have to do is lick the stamps!
It's all the fun and fabulousness of a full session - but mini! The sessions will take place at my NE Mpls studio and in 30 minutes, we'll create 10 amazing high-resolution images that I'll send you later on a DVD for you to print to your heart's content. I'll bring treats - you bring your awesome! And to top all of this? The price is $200 and includes a pack of 25 cards. What a steal!
Email me sydnee@sydneebickett.com to book and I'll let you know what times are available. It's first come, first serve. Session times are every hour on the hour from 10 am to 3 pm (i.e. 10am, 11am, etc). This means there's only 6 chances to get those photos in before it's too late! I'll send you a note as soon as your session fee is paid with all the info you'll need.
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I'm also going to be starting new projects in the next few months, including a vendor spotlight with all my favorite people and places in Minneapolis and beyond. The ladies I mentioned earlier? You'll see them again soon here :)
Another project? A style + fitness + healthy lifestyle spotlight. If you're new here, you might not know that I run. A lot. I've spent the last year of my life devoted to living a healthy lifestyle because frankly, I want to be here for a while. A long while. So I started running and suddenly, everyone wants to know about it! You all have asked questions about training, about where to find the best races and about (my personal favorite) what to wear! All your questions will be answered soon, I promise.
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In case you're in the area and want to experience the new brand in person and with sparkly newness, spot on over to the Jewish Community Center Gift & Celebration Showcase (more info here) at the Marriott Minneapolis Southwest on Sunday, November 4 from 11:30 am to 3 pm. Yours truly will be there with a brand new album sample, some friendly faces in picture frames and the best part? GOLD FOIL CHOCOLATE HEARTS. I mean, that alone should get you there on Sunday :)
Stay tuned in the coming weeks to meet all the fabulous families I've been working with - I hope you love them as much as I do! There are still a few things to tweak and adjust, but isn't she beautiful?!
And thank you again. From the bottom of my (brand new!) golden heart.
xoxo,
syd