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!

My soldier... and my daughter

My husband deploys with the Texas Army National Guard in a fairly short time frame. So photos of him and the girls... are especially sweet. I setup tonight and took some shots of him, and our 2 year old daughter Sarah for fun.

Look at his crossed arms...and the look on his face... and HER crossed arms... lol... think they are related? ;-)

My favorite of the night however... was this:

Fireworks: Katy Mills

The family and I headed over to Katy Mills to watch the fireworks show. It was Sarah's first year to see/hear them... we had debated taking her out with us, because it was so late, but decided to at the last minute.

A few things about 'almost' 2 year olds... a.) the noise is a bit scarey... b.) the fireworks are really cool... and c.) the drive home was amazingly long with her in the back seat saying, again, again, again, again, again, again....

We weren't sure if she was saying 'again' because she kept seeing them, or because she WANTED to keep seeing them.

I was able to setup my tripod and get a few fabulous fireworks photos though, here are a few of my favorites!








This is one of my personal favorites - I love the uniqueness of it.













On a more serious note - I hope you celebrated the 4th of July. As the spouse of a soldier in the Texas Army National Guard who will be deploying for a long period very shortly, the 4th of July is pretty special to my family. I recently made the decision to become a photographer with OpLove.org - an organization that offers photography both pre-deployment, and post deployment to our nations military.

Each of you has a special gift... mine is photography. Give back... it makes a profound difference for both the giver... and the recipient.