36 Days

See more posts in Faith, My Heart

Maybe you’re feeling it too? The end of the year scramble and the pending excitement of the holidays, yet also the fear that this time will be leaving us way too fast?

Lately my heart has been pressed to make sure I treat this holiday season differently. To really take the time to focus on the things that really matter so that I’m not left with regret on NYE. The should haves. The wish i’s. Making the 36 days left of 2015 full of LIFE not stress.

So, I’m preaching these words to my whole being. Because I need this message too. So I am repeating these simple reminders to my heart daily.

Friends, as we approach the holidays, let’s not get caught up in the high of buying deals that are short lived. The high of over indulging on every dessert in sight.

Now I am NOT saying don’t buy anything this Black Friday or eat any pie (I have my eye on a couple of great deals & special treats) just check yourself before. I recently heard a sermon about how our typical distraction is often where we are enslaved (Oh hello Online Shopping, Comparison and chocolate). So, you may need to get off the internet and get your eyes on Jesus first. And just make sure your heart is in the right place before you swipe that card, have that 4th piece of pie. Again preaching to myself here the most.

So let’s get real (looking at you, Gina) about addressing the hole in your heart that is maybe just craving rest or companionship.Things will never fill you up. Instead of trying to shove something in that will never fit, let’s instead get intentional about the holidays.

So who wants to band together and prepare and plan the best we can, then hand it all over to the one who has the best made plans? Will you join me? I would love to hear how you are encouraging and intentional holiday season. ______________________________________________________________

There are still a few spots in my class over at The Influence Network called “Planning an Intentional Holiday Season” happening next Wednesday, December 2nd at 9PM EST. This will be a live hands on class where we take time to really plan, pray and prepare to have an intentional holiday season this year. Choosing to lessen the stress by preplanning and championing the family, friends and traditions that really matter!

You can check out all of the details and signup here. I would love to have you!

Beautiful lettering above by Holly Holt.

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Gina is a Minneapolis based wedding and lifestyle photographer that loves bringing the LIFE out of people & capturing that energy on camera. Contact Me

Mr + Mrs | Married

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A Rustic Winter Destination Wedding in Aspen Colorado

If I were to get married all over again y’all this is exactly where I would do it. My heart has a fierce love for Aspen Colorado, most importantly the Maroon Bells. I would have our ceremony at the base of the mountain right near the lake and then have a large harvest table with our close family and friends. My dress would be simple yet intricate. Honestly so much of what my sweet bride already did! Can I copy you girl?

While planning her rustic destination wedding in Aspen Colorado, this bride wanted to make sure her guests were able to enjoy Aspen’s amazing outdoor beauty and it’s “casual wonderfulness”. Friends, I have traveled here many times and there is just something about this place that refreshes my heart so deeply. Her exact words are a perfect way to describe Aspen and the amazing hearts of the bride and groom as well! Casual wonderfulness. And I would add awesome, hilarious, caring, intentional and puppy lovers to their list as well.

My favorite part about this wedding is that the day before it was close to 70 degrees! Then a massive October snowstorm hit the valley and these two got a beautiful winter wedding. I even had to head into town that morning to buy winter clothes and boots as all I packed were clothes for warmer weather! Best memory ever. It makes me crave snow, just a teeny bit!

I hope these images inspire you as well, enjoy!

Are you planning a destination wedding and looking for more inspiration? Here you go! (P.S. I LOVE to travel, wink).

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Gina is a Minneapolis based wedding and lifestyle photographer that loves bringing the LIFE out of people & capturing that energy on camera. Contact Me

Greta + John | Married

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Classic Jewel Tone Fall Wedding at the Landmark Center

Y’all I am so excited to share Greta and Johnny’s big day! These two got married last weekend and were up for anything (a photographers dream). Their classic jewel tone fall wedding at the Landmark Center in St. Paul was so incredibly stunning. You guys pay attention to – THE card – the card that her husband-to-be handmade?!?! This groom has hand made a card every single month they have been dating (check them out in their engagement session here). My favorite part of the cards: Johnny’s hallmark sign on the back of each one. He is a keeper, right? AND – I even got one as a thank you on the day of their wedding! Greta did step up her “keeper” game as she presented him with a journal of letters from her all throughout their engagement year. Johnny had no idea and it was so sweet to witness his reaction.

Inspiration for their day came from rich, jewel tones and the brides vision of a LOT of candlelight during dinner and the dance. They wanted it to be classic with warm colors to complement their late fall wedding.

Some of my favorite moments from the day included the family singing a blessing before they walked out from their ceremony as a married couple – it brought the bride to tears and was just so special. I also loved the sweetest little flower girl who wanted to continuously cheers bouquets with bouquets and the girls dancing to party in the USA before the ceremony.

Greta + John, you two and your ridiculously amazing selves will always hold such a special place in my heart and am so honored to have been included in your day!

Enjoy!

When asked to paint a picture of her reception, the bride said this (and her vision came true):
“I’m hoping for a room filled with laughter and Michael Buble’s beautiful voice playing in the background. The tables will have ivory linens with jewel tone florals and LOTS of candles. My dad will shed more than a couple happy tears during his speech. Our friends will get a little aggressive with the glass clinking. After our first dance and Father of the Bride & Mother of the Groom dances are complete, the dance floor will be crazy packed for the rest of the night. “

Want to see more of this beautiful couple? Here’s their engagement session!

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Gina is a Minneapolis based wedding and lifestyle photographer that loves bringing the LIFE out of people & capturing that energy on camera. Contact Me

Little Miss Isla + Proud Big Sister Violet

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A Lifestyle Newborn Session in Minneapolis

Heaven blew every trumpet and played every horn on the wonderful marvelous night you were born.

Meet little miss Isla Paige and her proud big sister Violet. I am blessed to be able to call this family my friends and I am truly humbled to be able to document their story from maternity and newborn portraits for Violet, to maternity portraits with Isla and now a lifestyle newborn session in Minneapolis as their family grew from 3 to 4. I loved how momma Erin (who is a super talented photographer) refreshed and transformed the nursery for baby Isla to look brand new! And of course LOVED playing in Violet’s new room! I want that kitchen and those wall letters. Erin come decorate my home, deal? Enjoy more of miss Violet’s spunk, which is always the best part of my day!

Love this family? Me too! You can see the beginning to their journey in these blog posts or check out another lifestyle newborn session in Minneapolis here!

Violet Maternity Session
Violet Newborn Session
Isla Maternity Session

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Gina is a Minneapolis based wedding and lifestyle photographer that loves bringing the LIFE out of people & capturing that energy on camera. Contact Me

Three before Four | Maternity Portraits in Minneapolis

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father-daugher-run-down-path-gina-zeidler-photography

You might recognize this sweet family as they have graced my blog over the years. From before they had lil’ Violet, Violet’s newborn session and now this lifestyle session together as their last days as three before they are four. Violet is such a little firecracker, I just love her spunk, her adorable pixie hair and the way that her parents love on her. She is so excited to be a big sister. I am so excited to share their maternity portraits in Minneapolis! We headed to a new little spot in Lebanon Hills for this session and as always I cherished our time together running around and exploring!

Minneapolis Maternity Portraits - Gina Zeidler Photography-0026

Next up on the blog I get to introduce you to their newest addition, Isla. I’m so excited to share their newborn session with you and to see how the nursery has changed since Violet was there! And, if you loved this maternity session, you can check their first one here!

Work with Me

Gina is a Minneapolis based wedding and lifestyle photographer that loves bringing the LIFE out of people & capturing that energy on camera. Contact Me