Christmas Open House - Military

I had an 'open house' for the military families that have done an Oplove Session with me, or qualified, but haven't done one yet. This was just a short session... to get some 'holiday' images to send to their soldiers.

I made a big pot of Chicken & Sausage Gumbo... and we just had fun and got some AMAZING photos!!

Ms. M is now eight and a half months old and is ADORABLE!!




She wasn't QUITE sure what to think about this guy...



This little guy is adorable! He was quite excited to come take photos!!





His mom wasn't prepared to take photos....but I didn't let that stop me! ;-)



These guys are twins, and are deployment experienced! They were under 3 the last time... so this time has proven to be MUCH different for mom.



I am so grateful to have such an amazing group of women to spend time with, who are dealing with the same issues that deployed families deal with. And we had a wonderful time eating wonderful Gumbo... and just spending time together!

It's not to late to get your Christmas Photos taken! Contact me today!

OpLove Session: The B Family... or is it the S Family?

The information about Oplove Sessions has slowly made it's way to the families... and the mother of a soldier emailed inquiring on whether I could fit them in before her daughter deployed.

I took off 2 days this week to spend time with my family... but I know how precious these sessions are, so I made arrangements with mom to get together with her family this afternoon. Fortunately, we all happen to be located in Katy, so it was a quick trip to the location, and we were done in about an hour.

I knew mom and I were going to get along quite nicely - we hugged when we met... lol. It's a southern thing...

Anyway... Ms B is deploying very shortly... and we managed to get some amazing photos of her and her family. I hope you enjoy!

She does serious... quite well!

This little guy was adorable... took him a bit to warm up... but he is well loved and KNOWS it!

Michael is Mr. Cool... caught him off guard with this one... his sisters were joking with him... and uh-oh... I caught a real smile!

I'm keeping the gagging photos to myself... they were quite hilarious!

It's all about the attitude! (and the boots got REALLY muddy after this shot!!) OOPS!

Boys will be boys... this was after we were done... walking back to the cars... he liked this part best!

Maybe we should have let him run like this to BEGIN with!

This is my FAVORITE shot of the day! LOVED this one! Loved it!

Okay... this one was really good too darn it!!

The whole family!

Let's just say that I'm very glad she's on OUR side! ;-)

All joking aside - this was an incredibly sweet family that I was quite happy to spend time with prior to their soldiers deployment. Thank you so much for honoring me by spending YOUR time with me.

Support them... They support you.

If you are unaware - there are more than 3000 soldiers deploying very shortly from Texas. This is the largest deployment of National Guard soldiers since WWII from Texas. It is going to leave giant holes in families all across our state.

If you know someone who has a family member who is deploying, or is deployed - PLEASE contact a Oplove photographer in your area and utilize their services. These are priceless photos - and the albums sent to the deployed soldier is one of the most prized possessions while they are deployed.

The reason for this blog entry however, is that if you know someone who has a family member who is deploying or is deployed - please - reach out and support them.

It's my personal experience that the family members left behind have a harder time than the soldiers who deploy. We try to keep 'home' together, when there is a big part of what is 'home' thousands of miles away. There is no one coming home at the end of the day to lend a helping hand with the two year old... or to stop by the grocery store on his or her way home. There is not one to just give you a hug at the end of the day... when it's been a rather rotten day. The person you talk to... you tell about the things your kids did that drove you bonkers... you get to talk to once a week... if your lucky.

It's the little things that you don't always appreciate occurring, that make the biggest difference when the soldier is deployed.

So, if you know someone... if someone you know - knows someone - invite the family to dinner... invite him or her to do something with just the boys... or just the girls.... offer to take the kids to the park so they can have a couple hours of quiet time...

Support the families... so that they can support the soldiers.... so that the soldiers can do their jobs, and support our country.

www.oplove.org

Oplove: The G. Family

I had the pleasure of spending a couple hours with the G. Family last night as part of the Operation: Love Reunited group that I participate in.

I must admit to my house being entirely chaotic when they arrived. Between the office makeover, my husbands military gear, and a cardboard boat race... the house is a disaster. Quite seriously.

But they were absolutely wonderful. I grabbed my camera, and we took off for parts unknown... cause quite seriously, I usually tend to go to area parks for outdoor sessions...but we were missing a family member who was headed our way just as soon as he got done with soccer.

And wow... we had fun... and got some AMAZING photos! I love them!

These next few require a bit of explanation... Mr. Trey is a typical boy... mom and dad were trying to keep him calmed down enough... and out of the dirt enough... and... well... he's a boy, you get the point.

So he picked up acorns... and went adventuring... and told mom to see how far he jumped...

He is all boy... and mom will LOVE these photos about the time he gets to his big brother Zane's age... ;-)

Now... this next one... he told me to get one of him jumping... so I did... but didn't expect to get what I got...this kid could JUMP! Holy cow... look at the air on it?

A couple with 'just the boys'... aren't they cute???

And a sweet one of mom & dad:

Daddy's home... for a few days

My husband is part of the Texas Army National Guard, and is deploying with the 72nd. He has been gone for 3 weeks of training, and will be home for a short period of time before beginning a one year deployment.

Sarah, our 26 month old and I went to meet him at the armory when he arrived back in Houston.

She likes to walk with Daddy!

And Daddy HAS to carry her! And tickle her! ;-)

OpLove Session: The K Family

I had a wonderful evening with the K family - I absolutely LOVE people who are just down to earth. I got a couple bonuses with this family... they have a gorgeous brand new 2 week old daughter.... and a gorgeous 16 year old daughter.

The thing that amazed me most was their eyes. They all have these seriously intense blue eyes... that were just gorgeous!

So - without further delay:

They are a gorgeous family!

She is so tiny... and she kept posing for me... it was so adorable. She also did an amazing job of keeping all the 'baby poop' in her diaper... *grin* She was AWESOME!

Must show off the dog tags... when she's 5... dad's going to look at this photo and look at her... and be amazed at how much she's grown in such a small time...

She smiled for me... isn't she adorable?




I've got several 'serious' images with him... but this one, seriously, was my favorite. That smile... it was real... and perfect... and I am the photographer, so I get to post my favorites! *grin*

This young lady is 16... and does she have gorgeous hair and eyes or what? She was just as sweet as she is pretty. She was wonderful helping her mom with the little one. Absolutely awesome!

I had a wonderful time with the K family tonight! Thank you guys for coming and spending time with me... and enjoying it (or at least laughing often enough I 'think' you did!). I hope these photos do the beauty of your family justice!

OpLove: Reunited

I was recently approved as a photographer with Operation Love: Reunited. It's affectionately called: OpLove. As a member of Oplove - I offer free sessions, and a free album to the families of deploying, deployed, or returning from deployment soldiers.

As the wife of a soldier - I know how precious photos are when you are apart. As a photographer - I feel it's my responsibility to provide support in a very unique way to our soldiers. As an American, I feel that they are owed more than any of us can ever pay for the sacrifice they, and the soldiers before them, have made for us.

I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph a GORGEOUS couple tonight. Because you don't know these folks up front, you never know what they are going to look like when they knock on your door.

You should have heard me when I opened my door to this gorgeous family. OH YEAH!!! ;-)

Mr. T is a rambunctious 5 year old - who did really well, as long as I promised he could go outside to play! So we got a few images with him... and then sent him out to play.

One of my favorites - I told him to 'look serious'... but he couldn't do it!

This is the gorgeous couple - I love the emotion in this image.

It looks sweet...and serious... I'm glad I'm a photographer, and not a videographer... cause the moment after the shutter went 'click' they cracked up... 'You were breathing!'... I'm not sure when 'breathing' became funny... but I cracked up along with them.


This one needs no explanation...

And okay... so... I have a thing for pregnant women. I love - LOVE maternity photos. So... you get two of mom... deal with it! Ain't she gorgeous!!!

I had SO much fun getting together with you guys this evening! I can't wait to meet the new addition to your family!