Lamar Family Session

(401) 592-8695 | based in Portsmouth, Rhode Island danielleriveraphotography@outlook.com

Capturing the Joy: A Family Session with Kathleen, Jake, Xander & Eli

Some sessions just feel extra special, and this was definitely one of them. It was such an honor to meet this amazing family and help capture some of their first family pictures together!

Jake and Kathleen’s love story began when they were just 15 years old—high school sweethearts who eventually found themselves in Rhode Island for college. Now, years later, they are happily married and tackling parenthood for the first time. Together, they share a love for the outdoors, traveling, and, most importantly, their sweet boys, Xander and Eli.

Fun fact: Choosing their boys’ names was an adventure of its own! Instead of long debates or baby name books, they used an app called "Baby Names – Find It Together", which is basically Tinder for baby names. They each swiped on names they liked, and when they got a match—boom! It made the shortlist. If only all baby-related decisions were that easy! Photo here in case you love this idea!👇

Born at the end of October, Xander and Eli arrived during a whirlwind season of life. After some postpartum complications, Kathleen and Jake weren’t sure if they would go through with newborn photos. For so many parents (myself included), the postpartum period can feel overwhelming, and sometimes, the idea of planning a newborn session is just too much. But as their boys neared three months old—smiling constantly and showing their growing personalities—they knew it was the perfect time to capture this sweet season of life.

Understanding the stress that comes during the first few months of parenting, I wanted to offer a seamless photo package that could help take away some of the unnecessary stress of planning newborn photos. That is why I offer a maternity + newborn package in Rhode Island and surrounding areas. This allows everything to be planned before your baby arrives, so you don’t have to think about it in those early weeks! I'll even help you figure out outfits beforehand! And if even if you’ve waited, there are so many benefits to capturing these moments later within that first year. By three months, babies’ personalities are really beginning to shine, and many parents feel like they’ve settled into a rhythm—making the experience much more enjoyable and relaxed.

This session held even more significance as Kathleen and Jake are considering a big life change—possibly moving closer to family. Knowing these could be some of the last photos taken in their home in Rhode Island, made the session feel bittersweet. And what a home it is—spacious, full of warmth, and filled with love. It was an honor to document such a meaningful chapter in their story.

On a personal note, this session also marked a milestone for me! It was one of the first under my new pricing structure, which allows families to choose their favorite images from a large gallery. This tiered approach keeps pricing accessible while giving families more flexibility. Jake and Kathleen were among the first to experience this process, and their feedback was invaluable. I’ll be sharing more details in a future post, but if you're curious, you can find my pricing info here: www.danielleriveraphotography.com/pricing.

Looking back at this session, I’m reminded of why I love what I do—preserving fleeting moments and giving families something to cherish forever. Xander and Eli will never be this small again, but these photos will always bring them back to this joyful season of life.

Thinking about booking a family session? Whether it’s to celebrate a milestone, capture a transition, or simply document the everyday magic of your family, I’d love to tell your story! If you're in the Providence, RI, or Portsmouth, RI areas and looking for a family photographer, let’s connect!

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