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sneak peek

WELL, HELLO!

I love when you love on each other.

Whether you are newly engaged, a new mother and your day old baby, or a couple exchanging vows.

I love capturing love written all over your faces.

Love for life.
Love for each other.
Love for your passion.

This is where I find the real you. Where the the giggles come out. I’ll meet you there.
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Intimate

08.26.2011 | Wedding Photography | 6 Comments

These two not only looked amazing, but they are completely awesome.  Why? This couples connection is so strong that a tornado could have happened and it wouldn’t have affected them. I absolutely love and adore that about them.

In my mind, a must have at your wedding is intimate couple time. I encourage  my couples with my whole heart to set out specific times of the day, 5 minutes here or 10 there to really have time to look at each other and take in all the amazingness that the day brings. My heart sings when couples take time to work these moments into their day. Here are my favorite suggestions ::

Take 5-10 minutes after the ceremony in a private to just revel that you just said I do!  Just breathe and take it all in before you move into the reception part of the evening. This time is so precious.

First looks are amazing at creating intimate time. Not only do you get to just be overtaken at how handsome your groom looks or walk around your ceremony before it starts and just be awed at all your hard work. Many times seeing your spouse-to-be can calm your nerves, and center you before you walk down the aisle.

My favorite time is sunset photos, when we step out of dinner for 5-10 minutes usually with a glass of your favorite drink and use the beautiful sunlight as a backdrop to your day. These photos always are my favorite because my couples are totally relaxed and excited for what is to come in the minutes, months and years ahead. It’s so evident on their faces. I love!

Lastly, take one song during the dance and just step into the corner as a couple and watch. Take a memory snapshot of  faces, of the lights, the guests that has come to support & celebrate you. It’s a pretty amazing site.

So many of us brides (yes, I was one of them) get so caught up in worrying about if everyone else is there, if they are having fun, if they are liking the food. That sometimes you and your husband get lost in the mix. While I fully believe in having a big celebration and inviting large groups, don’t lose sight that this is your wedding day. Hopefully, your only wedding day. I want every bride and groom to soak that in. What I listed above only really adds up to 33 minutes? Are these worth it? Yes. Yes and Yes.

Now take a peek at this couple who included all of these moments, and had the best wedding cake I have ever had. Literally I possibly might give my left arm or adopt a Norwegian so I would have a reason to make these. So nummy!

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  • Alexandra {Heart Love Weddings} (08.26.2011 02:14pm)

    Gina, your talent never ceases to amaze me! This wedding is positively beautiful! The wedding party shots are totally fun, I love them! And every single couple shot I came too was my new favorite. Took my breath away!

  • Lauren @ ELD (08.26.2011 02:21pm)

    AWESOMENESS. Such great shots Gina! :)

  • Laura (08.26.2011 02:33pm)

    Kransekake (Norwegian wedding cake) is a must! ;)

  • Laura (08.27.2011 02:43pm)

    Thank you for capturing such fun memories for us! We had such a fun time at our wedding and couldn’t be happier with our pictures! You are Amazing Gina!

  • Wendi Solari (09.09.2011 03:19am)

    Dude…you had amazing light, like ALL day! These are beautiful. Nice job.

  • Brittney (09.12.2011 12:47am)

    Gina. I love you and I love this couple so so much. It was such a beautiful day and you captured every single moment perfectly. <3

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08.26.2011    Wedding Photography
 

2011 Mini Sessions

08.25.2011 | Lifestyle Photography | 2 Comments

The Annual Fall Mini Sessions are here! Join me this fall to capture some memories of your family, your children or grab some great couple or maternity images. The holiday season will be here before you know it! Get your christmas card photos done in the beautiful fall colors. Don’t do Christmas cards? This is also a very affordable way to get some great lifelong memories of you present family. I can’t wait to meet you! I promise your session will be filled with laughter, goofiness and giggles.

I have limited spaces this year. Grab your spot while they are still here. Spots are first come first serve. You have the option to pay your deposit by check or online. To book reserve you a spot by emailing me at gina@ginazeidler.com with a first and second time choice. I will update this post when times are taken.

Details 
$250 ($100 deposit due at booking)

Your Mini-Session Includes:
25 minute session
Editing of images
Complimentary Styling Phone/Skype Consult
10-25 high-res images on a CD with full printing rights

Surprise Option add on: HD video clip (example here & here) of your family set to music add +300

October 16th, (Twin Cities Location TBD)

1:45 BOOKED
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3:15 BOOKED
4:00 BOOKED

October 29th (Twin Cities Location TBD)

1:45 BOOKED
2:30 BOOKED
3:15 BOOKED
4:00 BOOKED
4:45 BOOKED

 

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  • amy (08.25.2011 02:57pm)

    every october gina will have taken our family picture for 3 years now :) it is an amazing tradition and affordable. this year will be our wedding, but next year i will be the first one to sign up! love.

  • christy (08.25.2011 03:34pm)

    This will be my third year in a row as well! So excited :)

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08.25.2011    Lifestyle Photography
 

Sleep Baby

08.24.2011 | Video | 10 Comments

Brady, Brady. You don’t really like to sleep in the middle of the night. It’s 12:45am and you are happy as ever. You take after Aunt Gina. Us night owls need to stick together. So for now, lets just relish in the adorable you are. Ready. Set. Go.

 

Sleep Baby from Gina Zeidler on Vimeo.

  • Liz (08.24.2011 11:03am)

    LOVE. That is all.

  • amber housley (08.24.2011 01:02pm)

    proof that life goes so so fast and that you just have to stop and capture these moments that are so fleeting. will be hugging my two year old a little tighter today. thank you for sharing!

  • Emily Steffen (08.24.2011 01:04pm)

    OMGOSH! HE is adorable and amazing and this video will be watched over and over and over and over for the rest of his life! :) So precious!

  • Alexandra (08.24.2011 01:07pm)

    Seeing this was the best way to start the morning… Love this!!

  • Elizabeth Anne (08.24.2011 01:16pm)

    my ‘baby’ and i watched this together and smiled the entire time. {he is 4-not really a baby anymore…}. Now all I want to do is find the nearest babe and kiss kiss kiss…This is so precious, Gina. oh, I LOVE!!!

  • Ashley (08.24.2011 01:20pm)

    Love this. Love you Gina!

  • Karen Schlink (08.24.2011 01:24pm)

    Oh my goodness! Gina this is so adorable!! This totally made my morning. :)

  • Jenni Bailey (08.24.2011 02:36pm)

    Oh my gosh, Gina. I am dying over this. Seriously choked up (and, you know, I’m not one to say that unless it’s really truly true). So unbearably beautiful.

  • Marissa @ Southern Weddings (08.24.2011 06:50pm)

    Oh my stars! This is so cute!!

  • Kate/MagnoliaRouge (08.25.2011 01:34am)

    That is just ridiculously cute!!! Brings tears to my eyes and I don’t even know Emily personally!! Brady is adorable!

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08.24.2011    Video
 

Crave

08.23.2011 | Lifestyle Photography | 5 Comments

While looking through these newborn images I am just purely attracted to the simplicity. The love, the small touches, the meaning of  each of these photos.  I feel this way about all of my newborn work, I am drawn to it, especially to the family interaction. How intimate it is. How real of it is. How authentic it is.

I really think I have a love affair for authenticity. For realness, I crave it. Whether it be a hole in the wall restaurant and its authentic charm, watching choreography danced out from the authentic soul, or images that just scream honest and pure. We all have this authenticity inside. It’s just a matter of slowing down and experiencing it. Honestly, its a fight for me to stay authentic everyday. To not just go along with the crowd, to give into the norm or what everyone is doing. I want to surround myself with people that think this way, as often as I can. I want to pull this out of the people that I encounter. I want them to want it to.

I think the reason I see authenticity so plainly in my newborn work (is that for you that have had a baby understand) that your world stops in a completely amazing way when you have a child. You especially mothers experience a whole new world that forces you to slow down and re-evaluate what your priorities are. It automatically throws your routine out the window and brings you back to the center. Because really you are holding and nurturing a part of your center. A real authentic piece of you.  And that my friends,  is straight up beautiful.

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  • Stefanie (08.23.2011 05:58pm)

    Pretty sure that we’re going to have to work out a Texas trip when Baby Miles comes along. ;) Your newborn work is some of my favorite, G!

  • Kate Botwinski Photography (08.23.2011 06:05pm)

    Gina, these are some of the most beautiful images I have ever seen. Ever. I love all of your family photographs, you have such a beautiful connection to your subjects, the babies, the parents, it’s moving. I too, live for authenticity, and you should be very proud that you are 100% real and people can take it or leave it, but it is who you are. Thank you for setting an example and being a light. Because that’s what you are.

  • Shae (08.23.2011 06:12pm)

    Gina your photos alone make me so excited for these special moments in my own life to start happening. The way you see the world is truly a gift and I’m just glad you’re sharing it with the rest of us.

  • Angela W. (08.23.2011 06:15pm)

    Beautiful! I love his little face in the first photo!

  • Liz (08.24.2011 01:19pm)

    Gina – I just love, love, love all these images!! This is you being real. Please keep doing it, because it’s inspiring everyday!! :)

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08.23.2011    Lifestyle Photography    Newborn Photography
 

Try

08.23.2011 | Authenticity | 8 Comments

Trial and Error. Succeed and Fail. They truly go hand and hand.

Risk to reach for something big.

I don’t I do enough of this. Somedays its just easier to play safe, to work with the poses I know or the routine of my life, even if its not what I want. But what does that do besides leave me right where I am. No forward motion. So fine, you can stay there, but I want to grow, mold, mash in my life and in my work.

The only way to do this is to try. To fall on my face. To make mistakes. To get to “that” or get “there”.

For example, I had about 5 poses before this one that I tried. I was just following my gut and trying my hardest to not judge my random posing ideas. Literally, my clients and I stopped mid one of my ideas, because it was that terrible.  I think I even said “ummm. no, you just look like you are baptizing her. Let’s stratch that one”  Two movements later, this came to me.

I would never have gotten this image if I would have worried about my clients thinking I was crazy when I asked them to get into the lake at 8pm, or worried about the different posing I was trying. I would have never been working for myself if I would have played it safe. I would have never been here in this moment if I wouldn’t have tried something new, something out of my comfort zone.

So what are you waiting for? Cheer your self on during your failures, just like this awesome clip. There is brilliance in each step.

Ginaism of the day :: Gina, get over the fear of your clients judging you while posing or shooting. They have hired you because of your work, your brain, your creativity. Not everything is going to work, and even if they ask about that one pose, just stand firm and say it didn’t turn out. You need to play during your sessions. To be in that moment with each client. This is where you create your best work. Continue on a quest for clients who truly understand this and value you. Quality vrs Quanity and real authentic connection that creates magic for all of us. It’s there, wait for it.

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  • Jen (08.23.2011 12:55am)

    This is one of my favorite photos ever. Thank you for this wonderful post. I was just saying the other day that I feel like I’m in such a rut right now and feel like I’m playing it safe all the time. Thanks for giving me a kick in the butt to take more risks… Obviously, it pays off in the end. :) Cheers!

  • Em (08.23.2011 01:02am)

    YES

  • Sarah Erdmann (08.23.2011 01:50am)

    BEAUTIFUL. Both your message & the photo. Gina you’re amazing – GET SOME!!!!!!!!!! ;)

  • Sara F. (08.23.2011 02:47am)

    You.are.awesome.

  • Kelley Danielson (08.23.2011 12:39pm)

    You inspire me. I am with Jen.. seem to be stuck in a rut! Thank you for being genuine and for being Gina! You ROCK Sister!

  • Emily Steffen (08.23.2011 01:24pm)

    NAILED IT! :)

  • Liz (08.23.2011 05:19pm)

    Truer words could not be spoken. My work day just went temporarily downhill – thanks for the little boost, my friend :)

  • rachel (08.23.2011 06:04pm)

    that is so funny bc I am constantly saying “um… scratch that, you just look weird” or things of the such. lol. It’s good to not care what your clients think about your crazy working style lol (speaking about myself here) bc I know they will be happy in the end. LOVE trying new things, good for you!

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08.23.2011    Authenticity
 

Messy

08.19.2011 | Authenticity | 17 Comments

Somedays I wake up and I feel nothing. I am discouraged. My house is a mess. My body is a mess. My work is a mess. A day like today, where I had a million and one things to get done and not enough time or energy. I put off my devotions to now 7:00pm. Here I sit on my bed crying. No exact reason why, but just completely broken. Broken wide open. To be filled up, I write in my journal “Lord I am completely discouraged, feeling so not worthy and just hurting.” Then I hear myself and say in my head “Gina, what the heck, why don’t you have it together. Why on earth would you be crying?” What the heck is it, get rid of it now!”

Truthfully, I always want to know and understand why I am broken. I always want to know the cause, source so I can “deal” with it, or work through it. I want to know why I am struggling and more often I generalize that I am struggling and no one else is. My brain goes in circles about how to fix, or prevent these feelings and it  just leaves me in frustration and confusion.

After looking closer I realized, I am never actually letting the real feelings surface.

It is our human nature to cover up feelings. Normally I would run to the fridge, facebook or turn on hulu to tune out. To distract myself and push those feelings away with empty searching. But it has been placed in my heart this week to fight. Fight to walk in the spirit and to dig into the word, into God’s promises. To fight my human nature that will just drive me away from my faith.

God wants our brokeness. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-29

It’s truthfully hard for me to believe this at times. My puny brain wants to tell God, I am toooo broken. My house is too messy. My photography isn’t good enough. My human nature wants to find its own way to deal with my problems. When God’s promise in Matthew 11, clearly states he wants us as we are messy, muddy, broken.

These photos are a representation of who I want to be as a daughter of God. I want to be able to accept my messy, my brokenness, maybe even jump into mud or sticky things in my life, with the assurance that my Father has my back. To not need to know the cause but trust that what is, is his will. That He is going to pick me up and wash me white as snow. I want to learn to smile through my tears, my pain and know that I am living by faith. To look up to Him in my puddles, covered in mud and smile, in peace because I completely trust in my Father.

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  • Natalie Norton (08.19.2011 01:05am)

    A) you inspire. B) that top image is mind blowing. Like, I want a copy for my office.

  • Brit @ Landlocked Bride (08.19.2011 01:09am)

    Love you. Beyond words how much your realness is inspiring and just beautiful. xoxo

  • Kim (08.19.2011 01:11am)

    I know not what to say to you my friend except trust and surrender! These images are beautifully messy and being beautifully broken for this time will only make you grow!

    I love your openness and honesty. Thank you for that!

  • Latisha (08.19.2011 01:40am)

    Gina – I think every person has this broken feeling at some point(s) in their life. I know that I have. It’s hard to find where it bubbles up from too. I hope you figure it out. I know I’ve been working on mine for a while now. <3

  • Kim G. (08.19.2011 01:52am)

    I’m praying for you lady. I can physically your frustration through your writing. God is the only one that can give us a peace that is beyond our understanding. I pray that the rest of your night will be stree-free and just that feeling of contentment as God is working in and through you right now. Your photos are beautiful, and I was just telling Paige last night that I would comment on all of your photos, but they’d all be “I like this one” or “that’s really cool!” on all of them. Lol there’d be no intellect to my comments :p Keep up the good work, because you’re good at what you’re doing :) praying for ya chica! See you on Sunday :)

  • Laura (08.19.2011 02:08am)

    Gina, I absolutely love this! So true and so uplifting!

  • Amanda Holvig (08.19.2011 03:01am)

    Wow, thank you Gina for your Authenticity. You make me smile :)

  • Mariana Herrera Mosli (08.19.2011 03:41am)

    G, these images are so powerful. Your words, even more so. As I sit here, feeling just as broken, I thank God for you. For this blog. For your talent. You are inspiring and aiding me in more ways than words can describe. It’s like my exact thoughts are written all over this page. Strangely, it brings me comfort knowing that I am not the only one that feels like this. Your words bring me hope. Thank you. Love ya!

  • Kristin Nicole (08.19.2011 04:35am)

    Gorgeous images and even more gorgeous words and heart behind them.

  • stefanie (08.19.2011 05:57am)

    its in all of us – we’d rather feel in control than dependant! brokenness is fertile soil for dependence on our sweet Savior, and I LOVE reading about how He is growing this in your heart! You encourage and inspire me, G. xoxo

  • Monica (08.19.2011 12:15pm)

    Love you Gina. You are one amazing woman.

  • Sara (08.19.2011 03:11pm)

    Gina, I was at MTH NY, and I’m just now stumbling on your blog. Wow. Seriously, you are amazing! Your writing is (freggin!) phenomenal and it’s inspiring on so many different levels. I LOVE the authenticity, it’s jumping off the page. Reading this was MY devotional last night. I shared it with my husband, and it was, at the time, exactly what we needed to hear. I have a really hard time with this, personally, because I pressure myself to be perfect, but you’re so right: God wants me just the way I am. Right now. Messy. Keep doing what you’re doing, Gina. You’re changing lives! xo

  • Jules (08.20.2011 03:31am)

    Gina, my wish is for you to see youself through my (as well as others’ ) eyes. You are in incredible inspiration! The way you capture the spirit of who or what you are photographing is simply amazing. Please know your gift is a gift to us! It is ALWAYS a pleasure to see your work! I also wanted to thank you for your authentic thoughts! It definitely shows the core of your passion! I look forward to your future adventures!

  • Elizabeth Anne (08.24.2011 01:24pm)

    LOVE.THIS.

  • Beat the Summer Heat Vendor Shout Out | Heart Love Weddings (08.24.2011 04:01pm)

    [...] blog is full of weddings, engagements, life style shoots, and the messy things in life. This post here is one of my favorites. It really spoke to my heart – how about you? And this post [...]

  • Jenae (09.14.2011 06:11pm)

    I’m with ya my friend. messy, messed up, poor, naked and blind… thanks for the beautiful reminder to come just as I am today. there really isn’t anything better than playing in the mud and rain!

  • People don’t talk | Gina Zeidler People don’t talk | Destination Photographer based in Minneapolis, MN (05.16.2012 02:34am)

    [...] truth that I am a failure. I deal with these things daily. I have a hard time. I get overwhelmed. I feel useless. I make mistakes. I make the same mistakes over and over.  I can be weak. I get mad at myself [...]

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08.19.2011    Authenticity
 

Stop for a minute

08.17.2011 | Wedding Photography | 2 Comments

One thing you have to know about me on a wedding day….. I am completely passionate about serving my bride and groom. In other words, I don’t want you to worry about timeline, the flow, the details. I don’t want you to worry about an single thing except for getting lost in each other and enjoying your perfect day. I love to walk my clients through their wedding day with ease and help with the flow of the day.

Today I am going to attempt summing up my advice on the mid-wedding STOP. The one where you transport to the reception and along the way you might stop for alcohol, photos, potty breaks.

Transportation :: This is a big, big, big one. When transporting from Ceremony to Reception, I recommend with my whole heart that you get one vehicle that everyone will ride in together. I know, that sometimes this can be an added cost that you don’t think you need, but take it from me who only had a mile drive between my ceremony & reception. I wish I would have done it. I have been to one too many weddings where cars get lost, parts of the wedding part stops for this or that and it just creates chaos. Also, when choosing a vehicle. I really only recommend a limo bus or something of that nature. Where you can stand up.  The lighting is so much better with the full windows, everyone can easily see each other and move around. Lastly I believe that it gets overlooked how hard it is for the bride and her maids to crawl up in a limo car in their dresses. (Also, remember coolers or to ask if the limo company serves water on the ride over, and get your drinks before hand so you don’t need to make an extra stop on the way. Another mini tip, if you are all riding together, try to eliminate the most cars left at the church. Talk about this ahead of time and it will save lots of time the next day!)

Music :: Music can make or break your ride. First off ask the company you are renting from what type of hook up they have ipod, CD etc. Then choose a bridesmaid or groomsmen that you trust completely to make an amazing mixx up for you. It adds so much more fun to the ride when you are signing along to your favorite music and I selfishly admit that I love jamming out with you can be one of my favorite parts of a wedding. It just brings me back to the years of bus riding for sports and singing at the top of our lungs.

Time :: This one is all a matter of game plan. Decide what time you would like to be at your reception. Figure out the travel time from Ceremony-Reception. Subtract and you will know how much time you have to work with. This will help you decide where and how much time you have when you stop.  If you have an hour or two, then one or two stops would work just nice. Decide what your priority is during this time as well. Do you want more photographs with the wedding party? Then use this time for that and stock the vehicle with plenty of drinks so that you can use the time wisely. Is your importance on stopping at a bar or two? Then find the perfect location. That is what is next on the list.

Location :: Try to brainstorm up locations that you will want to stop at. Ask your photographer for recommendations. Look up the addresses and have them sent to your drivers beforehand. Find a bar or restaurant on the way with a little character or specific meaning to you as a couple. My couple below did an awesome job of this. I loved the coloring at the restaurant we stopped at. I was crazy inspired when I walked in because I had so much to work with and everyone loved being there. It matched perfectly with their colors and feel, some of my favorite mid-stop photos I have taken yet.

Just my two cents on the mid-wedding STOP. Let me know your thoughts, questions or ideas and if you are interested in hearing more of my cents about all things wedding and enjoy this awesome wedding.

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  • Emily Steffen (08.17.2011 09:32pm)

    YESSSS! I love this post and I LOVE Agave Kitchen….amazing food and fabulous atmosphere! :)

  • shelly (08.17.2011 10:32pm)

    You are ROCK and ROLL Happiness, in my book. AMAZING, colorful, authentic. LOVE it!

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08.17.2011    Wedding Photography
 

Heart Infusion

08.16.2011 | Authenticity | 10 Comments

This week I have really taken note that for me to authentically write I have to infuse myself prior or during my writing. It helps me to drop in and write from my heart by doing something that feeds my heart. Either a workout, in the bath, outside on the patio or in quiet time is where my writing flows the best from. Often when I “sit down” to write in a work setting. I get frustrated. I go blank. I can’t put my sentences together.

So pay attention this week. I encourage you to try and take note of the little things that make you enjoy your day just a little bit more. Find ways to infuse yourself. Whether that means email in your favorite chair, replying to fb in the pedicure chair, listening to a great song while cleaning your home or sitting on the rooftop in NYC with a glass of wine.

Experiment. Try a new thing or two. Get fancy.

You deserve the extra effort, because the more you infuse your heart, the more your heart infuses your work. Simple as that. 

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  • Sara Fachetti (08.16.2011 01:45pm)

    I love the last shot of the bridge! :)

  • Liz (08.16.2011 03:42pm)

    Love the photo with the wine glass – perfect evening! Thanks for the infusing message :)

  • Dana Laymon (08.16.2011 04:01pm)

    ugh I wish i was there! thanks for letting us read your heart! i look forward to it everytime!

  • Lara (08.16.2011 09:17pm)

    I needed this. I love you Gina Z. To the moon and back and then back to the moon a zillion more times!

  • Brit @ Landlocked Bride (08.17.2011 12:18am)

    Exactly what I needed to hear today. xoxo

  • Natalie Norton (08.17.2011 02:49am)

    I love you. These pictures make me homesick for the 3 of you. Wish I had been there. . . :(

  • Petronella (08.17.2011 01:53pm)

    I’ll be thinking of this the next time I sit down to write: the more you infuse your heart, the more your heart infuses your work. Beautiful!

  • Sara (08.17.2011 08:25pm)

    Thank you for this!

  • Wise words.. « Diamonds and Pearls of Wisdom (08.18.2011 01:13am)

    [...] Zeidler says it so perfectly on her blog post yesterday. Heart Infusion… It is so important that we all do things that feed our hearts, challenge our minds and [...]

  • Laura Ivanova (08.29.2011 05:12am)

    Sigh, I love New York!

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08.16.2011    Authenticity
 

Waking up with Brady

08.12.2011 | Lifestyle Photography | 15 Comments

It was early morning as I heard Brady and Emily fading in and out of sleep, I mumbled to have her hand Brady to me and to go start getting ready. I love lil’ ones and I am usually a pretty good baby whisperer so my plan was to lay him on my chest and rock him to see if we both could squeeze in another 30 minutes of sleep, while mommy was getting ready for her photoshoot. When all the sudden this five month old, perches up in a seal push up and takes one look at me and produced a smile that changed me.

Until that moment I had never understood how adults give up their precious sleep for their children. Seriously. I mean I knew it in my head, but I didn’t know it in my being, until Mr. Brady Ley (his full name sounds so dashing) popped out that perfect grin. He definitely has the ladies touch already. (Em you better watch out. Especially for the girls with “lellow” hair.)  After seeing that smile, Brady could have asked me for a million dollars and a key to the city and I would have made it happen. I couldn’t believe the immensely beautiful innocence and LOVE that God instills in us when we are born. This is how Moms don’t get a full nights sleep for years. I was immediately head over heels for this 5 month old and he wasn’t even my own.

I feel like God is preparing my heart on all levels for babies. Matt if you are reading this post breathe deep and don’t pass out, preparing my brain around having a baby. (p.s. Mya, your years of lap luxury, attention and spoiling are numbered.)  I always have wanted kids and hope with God’s blessing that we will have them. Maybe 2, maybe 3. Yet, in the last years I haven’t yet had baby fever or felt ready. I still feel I have so much learning and growing within myself before I have another to look after, another to be a model for.

Truthfully it’s scary when somedays I feel like I can’t handle myself, my dog, my house, let alone a creature (and by creature, I mean a human) that depends on me. Do you ever feel this way? I know your never fully ready and that God’s timing is perfect. So for now I am going to continue adding to my future Zeidler nugget board on Pinterest, listening to God’s nudges and soaking in the unexpected rare moments, like this morning I shared, waking up with Brady.

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  • Becky (08.12.2011 11:42am)

    Gina I love this! The second last picture is AH-Ma-zing!!!

  • Jenni Bailey (08.12.2011 11:51am)

    It’s so hard to feel ready. The decision to become a mom is one that is absolutely guaranteed to flip you on your head (over and over again for years). But it is FUN! And I firmly believe that you will rock at it. P.S. I love Emily’s jammies.

  • Mariana Herrera Mosli (08.12.2011 12:15pm)

    OMG…I want one (well, another one)!!! haha, he is ADORABLE! I bet this was an amazing experience for you, G! I know you will be one awesome mom. XOXO! God bless you mucho!

  • Jennifer Pederson (08.12.2011 12:31pm)

    Gina, this is really, really beautiful. Very genuine. Loved it!!

  • Sara BetH F. (08.12.2011 01:55pm)

    I heart yorur heart. Surriously. You are amazing. And you’re going to be such an amazing mom! Your baby might have to be one of those friends’ babies that I spoil as I live vicariously through their mommies, lol. Love u Gina!

  • Samantha Shay (08.12.2011 02:32pm)

    Gina, this was so gorgeous. I love the words you wrote — one day, you are going to make the most amazing mother!! These images of Brady and Emily are absolutely priceless, what a beautiful gift your talent is. X’s Sam

  • Catherine Rhodes (08.12.2011 02:34pm)

    What a lovely post! I swear that Brady is one of the cutest babies I’ve ever seen, I think he would give just about anyone baby fever :)

  • Angela Fye (08.12.2011 03:07pm)

    Gina, Being a parent si a wonderful gift that god gives you! I still have days where I feel like my house, my husband, my son and work are too much, but then I just look at my son, and everything is worth it!! You will be great mom, I have no doubt about it! Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos with us, and I look forward to your pictures with your bundle of joy!

  • E. Kitchens (08.12.2011 06:33pm)

    I love these relaxed natural portraits. these little moments are what matter most. Great job Gina!

  • Natasja Lherisson Vega (08.12.2011 08:04pm)

    Seriously G, seeing pics of Bman makes me wan to squeeze him to pieces! He’s super adorable, definitely will be a heart breaker with his super cute smile!

  • Ashley (08.13.2011 05:02pm)

    Absolutely beautiful. Love these.

  • Mary Dunlap (08.14.2011 02:47am)

    I’m in love with this session!!

  • Amber Moon (08.14.2011 09:13pm)

    I cannot even handle the sweet perfection of these images. Heaven.

  • Dana Laymon (08.15.2011 04:49pm)

    so so so cute! he is adorable! maybe God will work on my heart one of these days. but i will enjoy everyone else’s baby in the meantime!

  • EMILY LEY (08.16.2011 01:50pm)

    I love you. So much more than you’ll ever ever know. You have no idea how priceless the images you’ve given us are. These are absolutely precious!! I’m already looking back at Brady’s live in session with giant tears in my eyes b/c he’s grown SO MUCH since then!! XOXO

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08.12.2011    Lifestyle Photography
 

Pure Joy

08.10.2011 | Lifestyle Photography | 3 Comments

Meet Liz. She is one of the most beautiful women I have ever met. She radiates. I mean radiates Joy, even through email. Liz invited me out to a live-in session here with her husband in Boston and I can’t tell you how amazing its been. With Live-In sessions I have to be honest, sometimes its a bit nervewrecking for both sides.

Me ::  Are they going to like me? Are they going to pick me up from the airport and abduct me (haha)? Are they going to think why does she have so many bags? Or what a nerd wearing her rainbow jammie pants around the house for breakfast?

Them :: Is our house going to be nice enough? We are too boring to photograph. What about our car? What if she sees our dirty underwear or our messy closet?  Our house is going to have to be spotless. What if I don’t look put together all the time?

Truthfully, at first I thought it was a little crazy and even asked my husband if I was being safe entering another persons home, people that I had never met. But, I went with my gut. Liz and I had emailed for the last 6 months here and there and we always held great conversation. Like I said, she radiates joy through email and she always knew from miles away the perfect words of encouragement to pass my way. It felt natural to say heck yes, and to get out here and meet them.

It’s amazing the blessings that sometimes get lost in fear. If I were to have let that fear run my world, I would have never left Minnesota. Never experienced the beautiful Cape Cod, had the best Sauvignon Blanc in the most beautiful beach home, never been welcomed by a Koala bear on my bed, never have got lost listening to Liz’s beautiful Australian accent and her awesome  aussie words like “lovely”,  and I would have never spent the days laughing and walking umpteen miles in Boston, with this wonderful woman. L & C thank you for welcoming me into your home. This is just a sneak at our first session.

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  • Robin (08.11.2011 12:07pm)

    absolutely “lovely”! I’ve never heard of a live-in session, but can’t wait to see more. Your work is beautiful!

  • Ashley Daniell (08.11.2011 01:19pm)

    I love these photos Gina! And I think the Live-In is such a wonderful idea! I’m sure you touched Liz and her family just as much as they touched your life. Keep bringing such joy and happiness to people!

  • Kim Percival (08.11.2011 03:01pm)

    Gina! As always … INCREDIBLE! I can’t wait to have you do a live-in session for my family!! Your images are real to the core. You see intro your subjects. Really see them & I love it!!

    P.S. This makes me miss living in Massachusetts.

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08.10.2011    Lifestyle Photography