Posted on June 12, 2012
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I first met this sweet little gal when mom was still pregnant and they greeted dad home from Afghanistan. OK, so maybe she doesn’t remember me, but I remember how anxious her parents were to meet her. But Audrey was in no hurry. She was nearly 2 weeks late! I think the wait was well worth it, because as you can see, she is absolute perfection. Isn’t her hair color amazing?!
I’m so happy to have shared in another milestone in this little family’s life. We started Audrey’s session at my home studio and then met up with both sets of her grandparents, her aunt, and her cousin for a few family shots. Here are just a few from our day together– enjoy!
Grandpa is in love…
Posted on June 11, 2012
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A past client once told me that she had more butterflies in her tummy at her husband’s homecomingthan she did at their own wedding . I thought, how romantic 
When I met Kelsea, I could see that she too had those same butterflies. Not the sweet ones that flutter and tickle, but rather the big ones that disrupt your thoughts and even your balance. Kelsea knows what I’m talking about, right?
I had so much fun with this group who waited in the dark to greet their husband, their brother, their son-in-law, their friend. The jokes and laughter never stopped and I could feel their excitement bouncing through the air and it helped to pass the time. It seemed to be an eternity before the bus finally arrived. But when it did, it stopped just feet ahead of us. Kelsea watched the exiting Marines intently, searching for a familiar face. When she laid eyes on her husband it was an all-out blitz. She certainly takes the cake for best leap into her Marine’s arms, and the two of them hugged and kissed more than any other couple I’ve witnessed. They just could not get enough of each other. It was a joy to watch their love and smiles fill the night.
I’m honored to have been a part of this homecoming, as I am with all homecomings. I never tire of the waiting, the anticipation, the uncertainty. There is no better reward than watching hearts and families become whole again and I cherish these moments just like my clients do. I will never have the words to adequately express how gratifying this part of my photography journey has been. And with that, I invite you to take a look at Kelsea and her husband’s homecoming story…
xoxo
Posted on June 7, 2012
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A few weeks ago I photographed Miss Mathilda, who is named after her great grandmother. Isn’t that the sweetest name?? I love that retro names are making a comeback. And this one comes with an adorable nickname, Mattie. Appropriately, Mattie is just as cute as her name She was wide awake for the first part of our session, but after 2 hours she decided a nap was in order and we were able to get all those sleepy shots
I am THRILLED for Mattie’s mom and dad, who I went to high school with (maternity session here). It’s so obvious they’re already amazing parents. Something tells me Miss Mattie is going to be very spoiled. And there’s not a thing wrong with that
Here are a few of my favorite shots from my time with this sweetheart. xoxo
Posted on June 5, 2012
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If there is a silver lining to the deployments military families endure, it’s the strange way it strengthens a marriage. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” right? Right. Oftentimes we take our partners for granted, but when they’re gone for 7 months we miss them, we miss their socks on the floor, we miss their boots at the door and we miss having their warm body next to us in bed. Counting down to the day your husband comes home is agonizing, but the butterflies that come with the counting are amazing. Military life is like none other in that it gives you more than just one “first kiss”, more than just one “first date”. Holding each other close after spending so much time on your own is an unmatched comfort.
I could see Bailey was nervous when we met for her husband’s homecoming. The buses were actually AHEAD of schedule and the Marines were on their way. Her nervous stare turned to giddy smiles as we moved toward the sunshine to wait. I remember thinking how classic Bailey looked standing there with her American flag, navy blue dress and long shiny hair. She fixed her attention to the north, where eventually the white coaches appeared from a radiant blue horizon. She found her husband quickly once he filed off the bus and I snapped away. I loved how Bailey’s husband smiled as he tightened his grip and tucked his face into her neck. I could sense that feeling of comfort blanketing both of them. I watched the pair from a distance, holding hands, smiling, embracing and looking at each other like they probably did on that first real date. Homecomings are the prefect catalyst for falling in love all over again.
I’m happy to share their homecoming story with you here, enjoy
Posted on June 2, 2012
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One of the best things about photographing homecomings is getting a glimpse back in time, back to young love and it’s passion and honesty. Sometimes I forget about those long-gone days of crazy, unabated love. Photographing reunions of young couples who have spent hundreds of days apart is a sobering reminder of just how sweet love can be.
Alicia (love her name!) contacted me a few weeks before her husband’s return and unfortunately, I was already booked. When I found out I would actually have a window of opportunity to shoot her husband’s homecoming, I contacted her immediately and we made our plans. Alicia was so eager for her husband’s return that she showed up 5 hours early– while I was still photographing my other client’s homecoming at the same location! I totally fell in love with her at that moment. She was nervous and admittedly happy to be so early because she’d get a chance to watch other families reuniting prior, allowing her to see exactly how a homecoming unfolds. This was the first deployment Alicia faced as a married gal and although I’m sure the months dragged on, she seemed to be an independent, committed, supportive wife– the perfect combination for a military spouse, obviously. I loved watching her from a distance, stretching a long nervous smile and chatting with her friends to pass the time.
When the buses pulled up and the Marines started filing out beyond our vision, it didn’t take long for Alicia to find her husband. In fact, she was one of the first ones to find herself wrapped up in camouflage arms. Her smile was almost as big as his. Sometimes families longer around after the arrival, but not these two. They made quick execution of gathering bags and headed straight to their car. I followed them through the parking lot, then hollered my good-bye, thinking, “Oh, young love.” There’s nothing like it.
Here is their sweet homecoming story, enjoy
