I’m writing this a few weeks before 2017 is ending… any day now I’m due with a new baby boy named Oslo. We are hoping and praying he makes his grand entrance before Christmas day…. but who knows. Nonetheless our boys and our family are over the moon excited about him arriving soon.

This year was full of excitement as I found out as I was pregnant on the date of my first wedding this year. So that was a  fun moment finding out a new baby was coming and then literally leaving 10 minutes later to go shoot a wedding in Asheville and then on to attend Forest and Falls workshop for a week. I only shot 9 weddings this year. Which was perfect for me in my growing tummy and growing family. I loved so many things about each wedding and each couple I connected with this year. Brandon and I got to spend a few days in early April in AZ and in Joshua Tree, CA– that was a great getting away before all the weddings and crazy set it.

I’ve been continuing my 365 photo project with my boys called “The Marvelous Mundane 365” but I admit I had a harder time keeping up with this year out of pure exhaustion from all the stages of pregnancy AND parenting/chasing two little boys who are 100% all the time. I shot a lot on my iPhone. Nonetheless I feel like I have another year of sweet memories I’ve captured with just these two being brothers only to each other. (rivkahfineart.tumblr.com) A few of these photos are thrown in this mix of favorites.

One of my favorite things I did this year was take a small online workshop through the Define School with The Parsons and that was extremely valuable and life changing for my soul when it came to my work. Empathy became my #1 goal to look for when I showed up to a shoot. I found myself crying with moms dancing with their sons on their wedding day, having sweet, deep, emotional conversations with brides a few days before their wedding and feeling the beauty of moments deeper. I’m very grateful for everything that workshop taught me and it also reflected more in my work this year.

Next year in the summer we are venture over to Ireland to shoot a dream wedding and be in the city where Brandon and I got engaged. I look forward to this trip daily, we haven’t been back in almost 13 years. But more then anything I’m really excited about the discovery of a new soul in our house and the way he (Oslo) will change and shape me and my family. I can’t wait to photograph my boys with this new love… it is one of the things I look forward to the most. The cuddles, the kisses and the interaction between all the boys in my home. I can’t wait to show it to the world.

Thank you to all my clients and friends this year who let me in on a piece of your sacred life. It was such an honor to get to be there with you in a moment in your life that you will hold dear.

Best wishes this holiday season, and Happy New Year!!