Jacksonville NC Military Homecoming Photographer | MCAS New River | Warthen Homecoming

When I got the message that Jasmine was preparing for her husband’s homecoming and wanted to capture those amazing moments of reunion, I was so excited!  I remember what it was like to plan for Matt’s return from his deployment…and how the days wouldn’t go by quickly enough.

Talking with her and finding out more details of their special day, and hearing in her voice how thrilled she was that he would finally be home in her arms again was so wonderful.  And on top of that, to hear that their son would have his Daddy home again made my heart leap for them!  All of those months facing the challenges of motherhood and life alone would finally be over…and that made me look forward to their amazing reunion even more!

I can’t even put into words correctly how much I look up to Jasmine for her strength and love for her husband.  Even through all those days that felt like years…she cared for their son, and waited patiently for this day to finally arrive.  The phone call that his homecoming time was set was a true highlight to many months.

This homecoming at MCAS New River was a truly unique and special one.  The 22nd MEU was finally docked at home…and almost 2,000 Marines were coming home in waves over a busy weekend!  Jasmine’s husband would actually be flying in from the ship, landing, and walking over to meet her!

Standing by the bags and waiting for that moment when he’d walk up to them was excruciating and emotional.  It was really hard to be patient when we all knew that he was so close.  I think sometimes the day of the homecoming is the longest day of the whole deployment.  But hearing that they were about to fly overhead and watching them hovering over the airfield was truly a sight to behold and really made the end of all those months apart an amazingly memorable occasion.  In just moments, the engines would be cut and they would be welcoming their hero home again!

I don’t know how she knew from the small glimpses we caught through the crowd, but Jasmine blazed a path through all those waiting people straight to her husband.  It was like the bond that they have was more powerful than any crowd of people.  And there he was…beaming at her, full of love and passion from their time apart!

And, their son…I choked back tears when I saw his amazing smile that lit up his whole face.  Pure joy.  There just aren’t words to capture how amazing this reunion was to witness.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to witness this reunion, and for all their sacrifices over almost a YEAR for our country’s freedoms.

Thank you again to the Warthen family!  Words fail to express the gratitude in my heart for all that you have given.  I pray God blesses your time of reunion together, and forges deeper bonds and love between all of you.

This final image didn’t do justice to the skip in their little man’s step as they walked away!  God bless America, and welcome home to our heroes!

*Julie

I am an on-location photographer in Jacksonville NC, and my passion is capturing moments of love and joy wherever they happen. From military homecomings to family portraits, children’s portraits and more, my camera and I strive to tell the stories of real life. If you would like more information about booking your maternity portrait session, newborn portrait session, family portrait session, military homecoming or other family event, please contact me for more information. I am booking limited sessions beginning January 2012. Spaces for military homecomings fill up especially quickly and as I mentioned, I won’t double book (this was an exception for frineds!), contact me as early as possible to ensure I will be available to document your amazing homecoming moments! 

Jacksonville NC Military Homecoming Photographer | Camp Lejeune | Fox Family Homecoming

It has been a blur the past few weeks of homecomings! This particular homecoming was so special in so many ways. Most of all, it was special because the Fox family are our neighbors and part of our church family!

Having her husband gone for all those months was a struggle that I can truly relate with experiencing.  I remember how every day felt like years, and how weeks and months couldn’t fly by fast enough!  It is so excruciating at times to just face daily life challenges alone.

Amanda and I spent many nights of the deployment texting back and forth like teenagers, and meeting in the middle of the street for a sanity break.  She has been so strong for her family and faced a lot of challenges all those months…cars and riding mowers breaking down, bouts of sickness herself and with the kids, sending their baby girl off to kindergarten, and even dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.  And through it all she continued to pray and grow and learn to lean on God in ways like never before.  It has truly been an amazing story of love and sacrifice to stand by her husband over time and distance, and the fact that distance means her husband was at war.

Long before I could even join her in counting down to his homecoming, we planned for me to be there to capture the amazing moments when they’d be reunited.  We enjoyed imagining the kids responses to seeing Daddy again, and knowing that their family would be together again.

My heart leaped in my chest as I FINALLY got to drive to Camp Lejeune to meet her to pick up her hero and husband, David!  The butterflies I had at seeing my own husband return came right back…her hero was coming HOME at last!

But before they could be reunited, we had to wait…and wait…and wait!

I’m so thankful that the FROs organize fun things like coloring, snacks, and bounce houses for the families while they wait.  We began our wait inside, and the kids had fun coloring and visiting with some other friends that were also reuniting with their families. Then, when it was time to head outside, they discovered the dirt!

Finally when the wait was truly becoming excruciating, we heard the rumble of the buses coming around the corner! And I almost couldn’t keep up with Amanda as she sprinted toward the formation of Marines to welcome her husband home again!

When the kids greeted their Daddy, I lost it. That moment when Noah turned and smiled at me was just utterly amazing! And to see Amanda able to wrap her arms around her husband again makes me truly appreciate all that they gave over all those months! I am beyond thankful for this family’s reunion…for their sacrifices for our country, and for the ability to watch them become a whole family again!

Thank you again, Amanda & David, for serving our country and giving so much for the freedoms we have. I pray that every day brings you closer together as a family, and this amazing time of homecoming is truly unforgettable!

*Julie

I am an on-location photographer in Jacksonville NC, and my passion is capturing moments of love and joy wherever they happen. From military homecomings to family portraits, children’s portraits and more, my camera and I strive to tell the stories of real life. If you would like more information about booking your maternity portrait session, newborn portrait session, family portrait session, military homecoming or other family event, please contact me for more information. I am booking limited sessions beginning January 2012. Spaces for military homecomings fill up especially quickly and as I mentioned, I won’t double book (this was an exception for frineds!), contact me as early as possible to ensure I will be available to document your amazing homecoming moments!

Jacksonville NC Military Homecoming Photographer | Camp Lejeune | DeMaio Homecoming

Two of my friends had husbands coming home on the same day, and I was beyond thrilled for them…but the dilemma…how on earth do I document two amazing homecomings?!  The answer is truly, I couldn’t…I’ll never book two of these amazing moments at the same time.  (I don’t want to miss a precious second of those first hugs and kisses!).  But God worked this homecoming out in an amazing way!

(To see the full homecoming session from this night, click here).

Madison and Ryne have a wonderful friend that photographed the night’s events, and I agreed I would snap a couple of quick shots if I got the chance.  And this couple is so amazing…even the few photos I quickly snapped are so powerful and really relate how awesome it was to see them reunited again just in time for Christmas!

Madison arrived on base to anxiously await her husband’s return at 10:30pm…figuring it would take just a few more hours until he was in her arms.  But true to the Marine Corps style, things kept happening, and she ended up waiting just over SIX hours with her friends to greet him!  All too well I know that phrase, “Hurry up and wait,” and it was most definitely the night’s theme!

In the excruciatingly long wait in the gym (where thank goodness it was warm!), I had plenty of time to capture some photos of the anxious waiting!  It is something else how slowly time moves when you know you are within miles of the loved one you haven’t seen in 7 months!!

Madison was literally glowing!  It is so obvious to see how strong their love is, even through the time and space spent apart.  I know what a strong woman it takes, and how God has to get you through the long nights and miles between each other!

Finally it was time to head outside, only to wait forever again!  But even though it was a freezing 25 degrees, everyone was still all smiles!  I know this feeling…can you even feel a hint of sadness when you’re just moments from seeing your Marine again!? No! Just anxious checking for a message that he’s done checking in his weapon at the armory and will be walking up any moment!

When they began marching towards their families, everything was suddenly a huge rush of emotion.  The wait was almost over!  All around families were greeting their Marines…and then FINALLY it was Madison’s turn!!

As I said above, these were just a few of their precious first moments together.  Their friend did an awesome job of capturing more photos for them!

Walking away to continue documenting Amber’s homecoming, I couldn’t resist turning back and my heart leaped for Madison as I saw her standing there with her husband.  Thank God for his protection of this wonderful couple!

Also thank you to Madison and Ryne for their service to our country.  I know so much of what it means to be a military family, and don’t take for granted the sacrifices you make to keep our country free.  God bless America!

*Julie

I am an on-location photographer in Jacksonville NC, and my passion is capturing moments of love and joy wherever they happen.  From military homecomings to family portraits, children’s portraits and more, my camera and I strive to tell the stories of real life.  If you would like more information about booking your maternity portrait session, newborn portrait session, family portrait session, military homecoming or other family event, please contact me for more information.  I am booking limited sessions beginning January 2012.  Spaces for military homecomings fill up especially quickly and as I mentioned, I won’t double book (this was an exception for frineds!), contact me as early as possible to ensure I will be available to document your amazing homecoming moments!

Jacksonville NC Military Homecoming Photographer | Camp Lejeune | Hronchek Homecoming

Seeing the Marines of 1/9 come back to Camp Lejeune was a special homecoming for me because two family friends were anxiously awaiting their Marines’ arrival!  (I’ll be blogging the other homecoming soon!).

This Marine Corps family is one that truly embodies the spirit of the amazing families with whom we serve!

After working together on Parris Island, we were excited to hear that they would be moving up to NC too (familiar faces to visit with hopefully!)…but after only a few months, Brian was already up for a deployment.  Time just couldn’t go by quickly enough to see him come home!

I know that Amber is a wonderful and strong Marine Corps wife…not only did she serve our country in the Navy and have a deployment of her own, but she’s stood next to Brain through 2 others.  This family has given so much for our freedoms, I knew I wanted to capture their amazing reunion when he finally got back home to Camp Lejeune!

Every homecoming is truly unique, and this one had its share of surprises.  Namely, it was the coldest night I think we have had this winter.  My thermometer said it was 25 degrees outside!!

As I pulled up, I saw some Marines unloading bags.  Seeing them lining them up in the cold, dark night was so surreal…these bags that have been around the world are about to be home again at last.

I headed inside to the gym’s welcome warmth.  And the wait seemed like an eternity!  I know it feels like forever whether it is 10 minutes or 10 hours, but that last stretch is agonizing!

The hours moved by so slowly!  There was an announcement that they would be another hour…and then after waiting some time, ANOTHER announcement that it would be ANOTHER hour!  Torture!

But even through this aching wait, all of them were waiting with smiles on their face almost the entire time!

The girls were so patient and excited…nothing could dampen their spirits to have Daddy home again.  They found some snacks and had fun playing games to pass the time.  Audrey found some creative fun on the phone that had us all laughing!

I downed some coffee hoping it would help, but at 3am, I am definitely not as energetic as their younger daughter Reese!

Finally, we heard they were forming up, and it was time to head outside!  The surreal feeling of the wait finally being over mixed with excitement is one that is so difficult to explain…having been there before with Matt, it brought back a total flood of emotions. I knew exactly what they were feeling as they walked outside!

This little family was finally standing on the same soil…just waiting to be reunited!  Now the emotions alternated between exhilaration and freezing!!

We waited in a narrow parking lot, and saw the formation start to walk down towards us…

…and out of that crazy crowd of people, you would think you’d never find your loved one…but how utterly amazing for me to witness the moment their eyes met again after 7 long months!

And the wait was over…this Marine and his family were together again at last! Every family has a special moment of reconnection, but I was fighting back tears watching Brian be surrounded by a hug from his daughters and wife…

I’m so thankful God has rejoined them, and they will be able to spend Christmas together! The bitter cold is no match for the love that is in their hearts as they head home to be together under one roof again!

Thank you again to an amazing family for their continued sacrifices for our country. I pray this time of homecoming is amazing and draws your bond together even stronger than before!

And thank you to all the troops who continue to serve in this season and throughout the year. God bless America!

*Julie

I am an on-location photographer in Jacksonville NC, and my passion is capturing moments of love and joy wherever they happen.  From military homecomings to family portraits, children’s portraits and more, my camera and I strive to tell the stories of real life.  If you would like more information about booking your maternity portrait session, newborn portrait session, family portrait session, military homecoming or other family event, please contact me for more information.  I am booking limited sessions beginning January 2012.

Jacksonville NC Family Photographer | Family Portraits | LeBlanc Family Mini-Session

It was so amazing to see this family reunited at their homecoming a few months back!  You can see photos from their homecoming session by clicking here.

I was definitely excited to work with them again to capture their family portraits.  And can you believe how much they have grown?!  We headed over to a local Jacksonville NC park for a mini-session and I cannot say enough what a blessing this family is for a photographer!  More handsome AND well-behaved young gentlemen I have rarely met.

And they have great ideas for photos!  I asked all 3 boys to stand over on the hill for a group picture, and they walked over and did this…

…cracking me up!  So, we had some fun with that one…and the ever-falling little brother! 😉

I do love candids, but sometimes getting some posed shots is definitely just as great!

These boys…I know they keep everyone around guessing.  They are just too much fun! (And did I mention, handsome!?)

To an amazing couple and family, my thanks goes out for your continued sacrifices to our country.  And I cannot say enough how wonderful it is to see that your family will be together this Christmas!  May God bless all of you as you celebrate God’s wonderful gift of life. 🙂

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have Everlasting Life…

*Julie

I am an on-location photographer in Jacksonville NC.  I love to work with families to capture the perfect portrait, whether it be a mini-session with more formally posed shots like these, or candid photos the showcase the love shared between you.  If you’re looking for maternity portraits, newborn portraits, family portraits, baby portraits, children’s portraits, military homecomings or other family events in the Jacksonville NC area, please contact me for more information!

Jacksonville NC Military Homecoming Photographer | Camp Lejeune | McGregor Homecoming

Every time I get an email for a military homecoming, my heart is racing.  I am so excited to see another one of our military members come home safely to their family again!  It truly is like reliving the experience over again myself.  I remember when Matt was deployed how time moved in a completely different way…and how unreal it is to stand there on base waiting to have your husband’s arms around you again!

This past week, I had the honor of being present at another amazing military homecoming aboard Camp Lejeune.  It was a first deployment for both of them, and I am so inspired by their love and dedication to not only our country, but each other.  You see, they have been married just over a year, and have only been together for half that time!

I watch Valerie waiting to see her husband again after all those months, and I am just as excited and nervous as she is!  Time just can’t go by quickly enough!

From anxious anticipation to joy at the thought of seeing him again…this homecoming was an incredible experience.

It was such a brief span of time in the grand scheme of things, but felt like ages.

One moment they were across the street, the next moment they were standing in formation in front of their loved ones.

And then…their eyes met and it was all over.  They were together once more.

May God bless this time of homecoming and reunion.  I am so thankful for this Marine and his wife.  It’s because of these brave men and women that we all can enjoy such precious freedoms in this country.

Watching another family walk away TOGETHER, reunited, is the biggest thrill for me as a photographer. Thank you again to this amazing couple.

God bless America!

*Julie

I am an on-location photographer in Jacksonville NC, and my passion is capturing moments of love and joy wherever they happen.  From military homecomings to family portraits, children’s portraits and more, my camera and I strive to tell the stories of real life.  If you would like more information about booking your maternity portrait session, newborn portrait session, family portrait session, military homecoming or other family event, please contact me for more information.  I am booking limited sessions beginning January 2012.

Jacksonville NC Military Homecoming Photographer | Camp Lejeune | Jones Homecoming

Every military homecoming is an amazingly special happening…but this one on Camp Lejeune really struck a chord close to my heart.  And no, it wasn’t just because her name is Julie, too!

You see at only 3 months old, their little Ariana had to say, “See you later,” to Daddy.  I remember how hard it was with Ian when Matt deployed…and it was difficult to keep all those emotions at bay, and the flooded memories of how hard it is to be separated during the first year with your first baby!  SO much changes.

I can see the inner strength and devotion that Julie has for her husband and daughter wrapped up in those moments of anticipation.

Ariana knew every time I was going to take her picture!  She has the most intent and beautiful stare!  I knew Daddy would be lost immediately when he saw them again!

And she was so excited and happy.  Every time another text came in, it was almost like she knew exactly what was going on.  Daddy was one mile closer!

In reality, it was so quick, but at the moment, it felt like hours…days…months…until the bus pulled up slowly in front of us.

And then it was like no time had ever passed.  They were complete once again.

There just are not words for the happiness of Julie at having the other half of her heart, Aaron, in her arms once again.  Nothing short of perfectly wonderful.

And how amazing it was to watch Ariana study her Daddy’s face up close.

Ariana was great at supervising every detail…right down to making sure that Daddy had the right bags.

My heart goes out to the Jones family for their amazing sacrifice.  This was Aaron’s 3rd deployment, and thank you does not even begin to cover what I know is an amazing dedication to our country and everything for which it stands.

And to see them reunited again is an amazing blessing!!  I’m so thankful for God’s protection over this family!

All I could think as I was watching them walk away together as a family is that I was truly watching a hero riding off into the sunset with his princesses.  Only this “happily ever after” is just about to begin again.

I pray that every moment draws this beautiful family even closer together than ever before.  Welcome home and God bless America!

*Julie

My passion is capturing beautiful portraits that tell a story.  From newborn portraits, maternity portraits, family portraits, and military homecoming and family events, I am a family photographer that captures memories on-location wherever they may happen.  Contact me for more information about booking a session in the Jacksonville NC area.

Jacksonville NC Military Homecoming Photographer | Camp Lejeune | Cunningham Homecoming

This past week, I had the special privilege of photographing a special military homecoming on Camp Lejeune.  Rob deployed exactly one month after their precious baby girl was born, and she and 3 fun boys have kept Sheena busy…203 nights alone, and she stayed amazingly strong!

These 4 smiling faces were ready to see their Daddy again!

The boys told me that Sheena had pulled off an amazing surprise.  She told them they were going to the doctor’s office and to get ready.  Once they were in the car, in the words of her oldest, “This is definitely not even close to the doctor’s office…that is like 3 miles away!”

Their signs say it all.

While we waited, the boys enjoyed running around and inventing games, and oh yes…playing football.  They were so excited that Daddy was going to be able to make their last football game of the season!

And they waited, and waited…

It seemed like forever…

Then the amazing text that he was boarding the bus transformed the anxious waiting to excitement once again…

And just as it seemed like the buses would never arrive…they appeared down the street.  Amazing to me that the boys just somehow *knew* he was on that 3rd bus.

In the blink of an eye, it was as if he had never left.  In that moment I was overwhelmed by this family’s love and strength…and beyond thankful for the sacrifices they have made for my freedom!  Reunited at long last.

I am so thankful that God has brought him back to him family…and I pray this is a time of growing together even closer than ever before as they enjoy this precious time together. You can tell they are already prepared for jumping right back into the hang of things!

Thank you again to this amazing family for letting me share in these wonderful moments of reunion at this blessed military homecoming.  And thank you, Cunningham family for your service to our country!  God bless America!

*Julie

I am a natural light photographer in Jacksonville NC.  My passion and specialty is to capture family moments that you will treasure for years to come.  If you are interested in booking a session for newborn portraits, maternity portraits, family portraits, children’s portraits, family events or your military homecoming, please contact me for more information.