Posted on July 19, 2012
A few weeks ago I shot this session for a friend who was moving back home to Georgia for the duration of her husband’s deployment. This Peach is sweet, but she’s also a whole lot of sassy. She’s small, but I’d hate to meet her in a dark alley. Yep, she’s a fire-cracker 
Miss K, I sure do miss your vivacious personality, your awesome southern accent, and of course your hilarious one-liners. I hope you’re having a blast back home!
xoxo
p.s. And in case anyone is wondering about the Alabama gear– her hubby is all about the Crimson Tide. And even though she’s a Georgia Bulldogs fan, she knew hubby would appreciate her nod to Roll Ride. Now THAT is love
Posted on July 17, 2012
No doubt it takes patience to love a military man. If you give your heart to a Marine, Soldier, Sailor, etc, you’re bound to spend a lot of time waiting. And waiting. And then waiting some more. Our servicemen work long hours when they’re home, and of course deployments bring into focus the true meaning of “absence makes the heart grow fonder”. The countdown to a homecoming seems endless. The anxiety, worry, loneliness and uncertainty stretch minutes into hours, hours into days, days into weeks. But then magically, you wake up one morning and you realize it’s finally time to clean the house, shave your legs for the first time in months, and put away the teddy bear you’ve been cuddling and drooling on at night. Your love is coming home and now the waiting is over, right? Not exactly.
I met Jessica and her mother-in-law in the squad bay on a mild evening when the sun was still high in the California sky. We had just about an hour until Jessica’s husband would be arriving on the flight line in one of those infamous white buses. But of course this is the military, and an hour turned into more than 2. Jessica and I stood on the flight line for what seemed like an eternity. I watched her face turn to joy when headlights appeared in the darkness, and then to disappointment when we realized the lights were not white buses, but rather trucks filled with gear. And so she waited, staring nervously into the distance, waiting for a sign. And as it happens, magically the waiting was over. The buses pulled up right in front of us and Marines began spilling out. They made their way into formation, where they were given orders, and then set free. Jessica’s eyes darted around, trying to pick her Marine out from a sea of digital camouflage. There she stood, waiting once more for her love to appear. And then there he was, like a rabbit pulled from a black hat. Jessica ran towards him, leaped into his arms and wrapped her legs around his body. A real body. A warm body. A familiar body she had waited to feel next to hers for far too long. And now that waiting really was over.
Thank you, Jessica, for allowing me to be a part of your husband’s homecoming. I am honored to have counted the minutes alongside you, even if only for a few hours.
And without further ado, here is a homecoming story– you guessed it– worth waiting for
Baby Nicali | San Diego Newborn Photographer | San Diego Family Photographer | Alicia Q. Photography
Posted on July 16, 2012
I love visiting my clients in their homes, especially when it’s to photograph a sweet little newborn. It’s also kind of fun when clients live in a luxury Hollywood complex filled with celebrities. Yes, it was a loooong drive thanks to L.A. traffic, but clearly, baby Nicali was worth it
This sweet little peanut was born 2 1/2 weeks early, weighing in just under 5lbs. Oh my gosh, she was so itty bitty– definitely the smallest baby I’ve ever photographed. She also has an awesome name that her parents came up with by combining their own two names (Nick and ‘Allie’). In short, she’s pretty awesome, as is the rest of her family who I’ve known for several years now. It’s always a joy to spend time with them, catching up and laughing, and of course, photographing two of the cutest kids I know
Here are a few favorites from Nicali’s (Cali for short) session. Enjoy!
Posted on July 3, 2012
Man’s best friend is no stranger to the battlefield. Throughout history, dogs have played an important role in military operations.In Afghanistan, military working dogs serve alongside their handlers, sniffing out IEDs and carrying out human tracking missions. These dogs are responsible for saving lives and more often than not, they are forgotten heroes.
I was so honored to photograph the homecoming of Joey and his working dog Thor. The location of this homecoming was a familiar one, but the events that unfolded were so very unique and special. I waited beside Joey’s parents, his childhood friend Jaime, and his friend Nick, a former Marine. Before Joey and his fellow dog handlers arrived, the kennel pulled into the parade deck and I watched Joey’s mom meet Thor for the first time. A steel barrier separated them, but it was an emotional meeting. Handlers build close relationships with their dogs, and Thor was now considered a part of the family– and a hero for keeping so many Marines safe in a war zone.
When Joey and his fellow Marines finally did arrive, I couldn’t help but cry right alongside his mom and Jaime. Lucky for me, I got to hide behind my camera. I could feel the elation and relief flooding the atmosphere. From my vantage point, I captured the sweetest reunion between a mother and her child. Her baby was finally home– and in one piece. Oh, what a feeling.
And then it was Thor’s turn for some love. And boy did he get lots of it. Joey walked to the kennel and unloaded a smiling pup. I’m not a pet owner myself, so I’m always so surprised when I can clearly see emotion smeared across a dogs face. Wow- Thor was ecstatic. He and Joey looked every bit the part of best buddies. All around the Marines introduced their families to their dedicated working dogs. It was such an amazing experience to be a part of.
Before long it was time for Joey to say good-bye to Thor. We all watched as the two made their way back to the kennel. Thor was reluctant, forcing Joey to pick him up and place him back into the carrier. It was a brief farewell, but we could all see Joey was doing his best to fight his emotions. It must be painfully difficult to part ways with your buddy who you’ve spent everyday with for several months. And not just ordinary days full of playtime and fun. Every day these two spent together was full of challenges and uncertainty. Thor and Joey relied on each other to keep not only the other safe, but all Marines. It was their training and focus that brought them home alive, not a small feat since their jobs are immensely dangerous. I’m happy to report that Joey has since started the application process to adopt Thor. My fingers (and toes and eyes) are crossed that everything works out.
I am so grateful to have photographed this reunion and I want to thank Miss Jaime for the opportunity. She’s also a photographer and it was exciting that she trusted me to document this awesome day (her Facebook page HERE).
And now, finally, here are 90+ of my favorite photos from Joey and Thor’s homecoming Enjoy!
1 + 2 = 3 | Oceanside Family Photographer | San Diego Maternity Photographer | Alicia Q. Photography
Posted on July 3, 2012
Before Bailey was even pregnant, she talked to me about this photo session. She had it all planned out in her mind, thanks to a little inspiration from Pinterest. I crossed my fingers for her and her husband, and at night, I imagined little fairies sprinkling baby dust on her as she slept. I was so unbelievably happy for her when she told me only a few weeks later that there was indeed a baby on the way You might recognize this gorgeous couple from their homecoming seen here.
Do love stories get any cuter than this? I think not. I’m just so sad that this growing family will be leaving California very soon and I’ll miss out on photographing the rest of their milestones. Fingers crossed the military allows our paths to cross again.
Congratulations, Frasure family. I am truly thrilled for you and the adventures at your feet…
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