Homecoming!

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My girlfriend's husband came home from deployment last weekend! I always feel blessed to be able to take photos of homecoming reunions, knowing that for day after day, month after long month, these families have chosen to put their country first and deal with everything that comes along with that. I might be there for an hour (or a few depending on delays!) waiting to capture the special moment - and it always moves me. But what really hits me is that they have been waiting months, if not a year or more for this day to come.

Tiffany, thank you so much for asking me to capture your reunion. Thank you for being a woman who is not afraid to be real & honest in good times and hard times. Throughout this deployment, you have been an example to me of perseverance and quiet strength. I pray that God richly blesses your family over the coming weeks and months as you continue to reunite and grow in ways that He has stored up for you! I pray that He gives you your heart's desires, and creates a strength in your family that no man can take away.

Once again, thank you Scott & Tiff for all you've done!

Chelsa

For Sean...

above: i call this the "peek-a-boo" shot, Case just snuck in behind the girls and you can barely see the cute little guy!



above: this is one out of a little series...a tender moment with mom :)


above: Makynna was the flower-finding queen of the morning :)


This past Friday I met Christi and her 2 adorable blondies - Makynna and Case. Christi wanted to get some photos done for her husband, Sean, who is currently serving overseas. I had a great time walking around the big airplanes on Pope Airforce Base with them...Makynna and Case did really good with the camera, and all three of them were super easy to photograph - not to mention super sweet as well :)

Christi it was so nice to meet you, I had fun visiting and photographing your gorgeous family. I hope that before you all know it you are reunited with the love of your life. Thankyou so much for all your hard work on the homefront, and your dedication to your husband. I will have the rest of the photos online for you and your husband soon! I'll be in touch :)

Chelsa

For Reggie....

This family has waited so patiently for me to get their photos published online! The past couple weeks I've been feeling "under the weather", and so it is hard to believe that our Troop Session was 2 weeks ago already... Ang thank you for your continued patience :) Today is my catchup day!

Meet Ang, Chanelle, Regan, and Amari. I had such a great time photographing and hanging out with them downtown. Even though I know it can be uncomfortable and awkward getting your picture taken, the kids did great and I think that their dad will be blessed by these images of his beautiful children. Ang, thanks for leading the way with your fun-loving nature! Even though I probably saw the shy side of your family, I could tell they each have a part of that in them too...you and Reggie must feel so blessed! I hope and pray that this time apart goes by speedily, and that in some way these images can connect you all and bring you all closer :)

For Jeff

Last weekend I met another wonderful military family out at the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens...although it was a lovely winter morning, it was still a bit chilly! I'm amazed that Kim has been a military wife for 20+ years! I'm praying that the remainder of this deployment goes quickly for you all and that your husband stays safe and healthy. These families are truly a special kind. Scott, their oldest son, leaves for his basic training in just a few weeks. We made sure to get some nice photos of him and his sweet girlfriend - Brittney - to take with him :) Good luck at training Scott...and Joey enjoy your high school years!

All the very best to you guys! Thanks for contacting me, it was great to spend the morning with you. I hope that these photos can bless your family during this time...thank you all for all the years that you have given to serve!

Chelsa

A Homecoming Moment...

If a reunion of this sort isn't a sacred moment in life, than i don't know what is. Remember i took photos of Ashley & their beautiful children for Wes when he was serving oversees? Well he is finally home and they asked me to document their homecoming reunion - what an honor to be there! After 15 months of separation, like a lot of Military wives, Ashley had been waiting for weeks to find out the exact day of Wes' arrival knowing that it could be in two days or in weeks! She stayed strong, and it was so great when she called me on a Monday and said he was going to be in at 3am that Wednesday! After all their sacrifice she was so sweet and said she would understand if i didn't want to show up so late...but seriously Wes & Ashley, it was the least i could do - You are such a beautiful couple, and it is so good to finally see your family all together! What a great family!

A Rainy, Late Night Reunion to Remember...

These photos are too small to see, just click on them to view them larger!



I had to include this photo of this adorable little guy waiting to see his daddy!

Remember Rachel & Moira? Well last night I had the privilege of documenting their long awaited reunion with Dave. I'm sure she would tell you that the hours spent waiting - not knowing the exact time of his Unit's arrival - in the Airforce hanger was well worth every second. Unless you've experienced it yourself, you can't even begin to describe all of the emotions that make up the atmosphere at a homecoming. Tears are a mixture of the joy of reuniting and of the unbearable months of separation finally coming to a close... Again I have to say, it was a privilege just to be there among all of these soldiers and families.

Rachel & Dave, you are an incredible couple. I pray these photos bless you, and tell a powerful piece of your story for years to come :)

Chelsa

For Jerry...

How great is this shot of Violette that Ben captured! I love it!!

This week Ben and I had a photo session with Danielle & Violette. Danielle wanted to do this shoot for her husband, who is currently serving overseas. I love the look of downtown for their shoot! I was so glad that Ben was there to run around with Violette (more like run after her!) - she is definitely a sweetie and a bundle of energy! But when he wasn't chasing her he got some great shots of her adorable expressions - I need to take him on shoots more often :)
Danielle, we hope that you and Jerry are blessed by these photos. We are so blessed by your service for our country, pray that God strengthens you both through this time, and pours out His protection, provision and love all over you!

Hope to see you again soon!

Chelsa

For Wes...

I had the privilege of doing a photo session with another wonderful Army wife on Saturday. I love spending time with these women and their children! I am just so touched by all that they do, and all of their sacrifices - supporting men who serve - for our country. Ashley you and your children are gorgeous...your husband is a lucky guy! I loved how Connor was holding my hand right away and jumped on my lap and grabbed the steering wheel to "drive" my car before I left....even if he wouldn't look at the camera for me during the shoot! I'm already looking forward to our next session - with your man this time!

Bless you so much, and thank you and Wes for your sacrifices,
Chelsa

For Ryan....

Sarah and I have gotten to know each other while our dear husbands are finishing up their Officer training here at Ft. Sam Houston, TX. We know that it is always fun to do something sweet for our sweeties, and these precious photos of his wife capture the sparkle in her eyes and are sure to bless his heart! She only has eyes for you Ryan!
Sarah it has been absolutely wonderful sharing visits with you while the guys are training, it has made the time go by so fast! Can you believe only one week left! We are so excited to take photos of you guys tomorrow! See you soon!

Chelsa