Rikki Rivera | Photographer » Wedding & Portrait Photography

The Soelling family are soon welcoming sweet baby boy #3! It’s been really incredible to watch their family grow from three to five over the years, as our own family has done the exact same thing. We went with a very lifestyle approach in this session, because boys can prove to be a little challenging in front of the camera. I’m also adamant that they don’t develop a dislike when they see me show up at their door, camera in hand. Over and over again you’ll hear me say, “It’s okay. Let them be.” I want them to play and be kids and have fun, because that’s really what it’s all about. It’s easy to get caught up in wanting those perfect pictures, but I promise, the real thing can be just as beautiful. Like that candid shot of little Johnny picking flowers for his mama, my heart melted and I rushed to capture it.

Having boys is such an incredible experience, especially for mamas (dads too, of course). While they can be so trying (any kid can be), there is a tenderness unlike any other. Getting to see that first-hand while taking these photos proved that John and Madi are really doing a phenomenal job raising their boys. It’s wild, crazy, and exhausting, but it’s so very good too. I am so inspired being around people who just do what they can with what they have, working hard, loving each other, loving their kids, and rolling with it all each day. That’s exactly what Johnny and Madi are doing and I really love being a small part of it.

I love you Soelling family. Madi, you’re so incredibly beautiful and you’re doing an amazing job. Johnny, I love your openness to love your family and work so hard alongside Madi. I can’t wait to see where life with three amazing boys takes you!

“It’s been amazing,” is the first thing Jordan said when I asked how their first week had been with their baby boy. I couldn’t help but smile at seeing how the newness of being parents was settling into their home. It’s always incredible to have that flash back. Being on my third baby, it’s easy to forget those very, very firsts of being a parent. Sometimes that means everything is a mess and you’re figuring out how all that baby stuff works, what you actually need, and shockingly realize how much you don’t. And other times it means a really graceful transition as if you’ve known your whole life just how this whole thing works.

Caine surprised us all by his early arrival, but it seems the timing was just right. He’s just perfect and is seriously the cutest baby, and littlest baby I’ve spent time with in a long while. Congratulations Lauren and Jordan, I’m so thankful to have spent this time with you. Seeing that final transition from preparing for baby to welcoming baby was wonderful. I look forward to seeing him grow and, of course, documenting his next milestone. I can hardly imagine it!

 

We first met three years ago. We travelled up north to document where Nick and Jenarae’s love story began, at college. Then the day came when they tied the knot, it was absolutely perfect; Jenarae, simple yet flawless in her details. So when the email arrived that they were expecting a baby girl and no one yet knew, as you can imagine, I was elated by the news. These last few years have brought many babies for previous wedding clients and it’s better than I could ever hope for, to get to be apart of their major milestones, it’s really something.

All the changes that happen when you fall in love with that special someone leave such an impact, you can be left standing breathless just thinking back on it all. My own family has grown and changed so much, but when I get together with clients again, even years later, it’s as if we haven’t missed a thing. We’ve been friends all along. I know that I always say this, but I’m thankful every single time. To have my work valued, to be apart of the lives of such wonderful people, and to give them something to hold onto and cherish forever.

Congratulations Nick and Jenarae, Norah is absolutely perfect. She is one lucky little girl to have you two as parents, as I know you’re blessed by her. I had a great morning catching up with you, and I look forward to seeing Norah’s sweet little face again. Get her used to the camera for me!