Bellies
Brand New
Babies
Posted on September 9, 2010
A submarine homecoming on Labor Day! It was very cool to watch this sub pull into pier – a bit different from the HUGE aircraft carrier, but every bit as exciting for the families who have waited these long months to see their husbands, fathers, brothers or sons! Welcome home, USS Norfolk!
Posted on August 29, 2010
Since I posted a couple of these images as a “Sneak Peek” for the family on my Facebook Fan Page right away, I decided to wait to share any more until I had the entire gallery ready to put into a slideshow. That way, you could experience it as we did – from start to finish.
As a side note, I wanted to share a bit about why I choose to only commit to one family for each Homecoming. I thought long and hard about it this summer – there are so many families for whom OpLove could serve, especially in this area. I often have calls or e-mails from many families from each ship, but take clients based on a first-come, first-serve basis. I *could* take more than one and some OpLove photographers do. But, I want to give my families my full attention – from start to finish – and their galleries reflect that. You see them arrive and wait, you see the ship pull in, you see them wait some more 
, and finally, you see their reunion! It is a story…. a story full of anticipation, pride, hope, maybe a bit of trepidation, but ultimately it is a story of happiness and love. Homecomings are not easy – they are hours of time spent at the pier or airport where it can be very hot (especially this summer!) and then more hours back home editing through the mass of photographs to choose the absolute best and prepare them to share. But it’s a small sacrifice for me (and all participating photographers) in order to repay our men and women in uniform for the service they give to our country.
So, without further adieu – enjoy the reunion of one sailor from the USS Ashland:
Posted on July 30, 2010
This cutie pie has waited a long time to see her Daddy. Remember how adorable she and her mommy were back when I photographed them to send pics to him while on deployment? She’s even cuter now, if that’s possible!
We hung out together at Norfolk International Airport on Monday evening waiting for Daddy to return. He got to come home a few days before the USS Eisenhower returned to port and I know that after 7 months, even a couple days makes a huge difference!
Welcome home, Bryan. I hope you’ve had a wonderful week with your family!
Posted on July 30, 2010
The USS Eisenhower returned from a 7 month deployment this week – it was my third homecoming in three days, and definitely the hottest day to be outside, but well worth it to capture such a special event. What an amazing experience! The news organizations estimated 20,000 people were waiting at Norfolk Naval Base for the return of this aircraft carrier! Luckily, I was able to hang out up on the pier in one of the VIP tents with my family who had won one of the “First Kiss” lottery drawings! If you’ve never seen an aircraft carrier in person, you can’t really imagine the scope and size of this beast. It’s a floating city and watching it pull in was quite awesome.
While waiting, I saw this Navy wife carrying the coolest sign and asked her to snap a pic:
And then it was time for the First Kiss. Naturally, mommy watched as the first kiss went to her daughter…
And then it was her turn:
And the family was ReUnited at last! Welcome Home, Jake! Thank you for your service to our country. We are all grateful to you and your family for your sacrifices.
Posted on July 29, 2010
What an awesome experience to be at the fly-in homecoming of a squadron at Oceana Naval Air Station! My husband has always said that the jet noise you hear in this area is just the “sound of freedom” and that rang so true while I was attending this special event. These guys were gone for 7 months this year AND 6 months last year…with only a couple months stateside in between. So, this was an extra special homecoming for their wives.
These ladies were SO excited to see their husbands….(to watch this in real time, click here for the news video!)
And even with three camera crews surrounding them (such a cute couple – no wonder they wanted to interview them) they were in their own little world. A happy, joyful, tearful, love-filled world.
Welcome Home, Aaron! I hope you and Lauren got to re-live your fun homecoming day through my photographs!
