Deployment Portraits

This portrait session is such a special one for me for so many different reasons. As an ARMY brat, there's a special place in my heart for the men and women of our armed forces… particularly for their families. Growing up in the military is such a special thing, filled with unique challenges and the most wonderful adventures. For many, it's also filled with the dread of deployment. My heart breaks for the families left behind, waiting to see their loved one again. One of my favorite things to do to try to ease just a little bit of that pain is to offer family portrait sessions to those dealing with deployment. It's one way I've found that I can not only give back, but bless the family with something to hold on to while their loved one is away. This particular session was done last fall before Eric was deployed for a year. You may remember Eric and Nikki as the models from my "unconventional bride" session that I shot in Coney Island last spring. Remember these awesome faces?
Well, they were such great sports while modeling for me, especially since they were only good friends at the time. I had them get a little close for a few shots. Cut to a couple months later and they are dating. I'd like to think I might have had something to do with that... ;) I'm sure a lot happened during that time that had absolutely nothing to do with me, but it's my blog and I can tell it the way I want to. Haha! At any rate, Nikki contacted me a few months later because Eric was about to ship out, and she thought it would be nice to have some family portraits with his son (that didn't include Eric wearing a bow tie) to have near while he was away. Well! I jumped at the opportunity to gift these images to one of my favorite couples. I hope you enjoy some shots from their pre-deployment portrait session. It started while I was testing my light, and this little guy started playing with his Dad's uniform...Please keep Eric, and all of the men and women overseas, in your prayers. And, please, please, please, don't forget to reach out to and love on all of the families dealing with deployment. They need to know that we haven't forgotten about them and that we are all here for them!

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