A Morning with the Vikse Family: Chores, Chaos, and Connection

When people think about family photos, they often imagine coordinated outfits and carefully chosen backdrops. But real life doesn’t happen in perfectly lit studios—and the moments worth remembering don’t wait for a pose.

No one’s yelling “say cheese,” no one’s matching outfits, and no one’s trying to bribe a toddler to smile. That’s the kind of morning I had with the Vikse family on their farm. Real life. Honest moments. And the kind of memories that already feel like heirlooms.

We spent the morning on their farm, where the day begins with purpose—and muddy boots. The kids helped feed the pigs, shouting over one another with the kind of joy only early-morning chores and wide-open spaces can bring. We rode horses through their field and ended up at the park, climbing, laughing, and leaning into the simple kind of play that childhood is built on.

Nothing about this was polished—and that’s exactly what made it beautiful.

We didn’t start with a plan—just the usual farm rhythm: horses to ride, pigs to feed, and kids to chase (or be chased by). And that’s where the gold was. Not in the posing, but in the doing.

Because ultimately when these kids are older, and the boots are bigger and the chores are their own, they’ll have proof: they were raised in the thick of it. Held close. Loved deeply. Even when the pigs were yelling and someone was crying over who would get to ride first.

To the Vikse family—thank you.
For the warmth. For the welcome. For trusting me with your story, just as it is. Muddy, wild, and full of heart.

And to any parents wondering if their “everyday” is worth documenting? If you’ve got toddlers and pigs, the answer is an emphatic yes. But also yes to the beautiful chaos that family is.