Since we arrived in Texas four months ago, my two favorite gals have both had their hubbies redeploy after a year spent in Iraq. I cannot tell you how much I admire these women who do it all while their husbands are deployed: raising children, supporting the kid’s sports teams, volunteering with their military support groups, handling household crises, and so much more. I’ve done my share of going it alone, including a year in Korea and two deployments to Iraq, and let me tell ya…it ain’t easy. It’s just as hard for the deployed spouse. I can’t imagine spending a year away from my children and living in a war zone. I have so much admiration and appreciation for our military families. We truly appreciate your service.
Click on the arrow below to view the Garcia Family’s reunion slideshow!

When my friend Erica asked if I would ‘pretty please with sugar on top’ take photos at her husband’s homecoming after a year-long deployment in Iraq, I told her to hold the sugar because it would be my honor.  This is something I’ve been longing to photograph–a moment full of sheer joy, happiness, surprise, tears, hugs, and kisses.  I wasn’t prepared for how emotional I would feel…especially since it wasn’t even my loved one returning home!  I was hoping Erica wasn’t hoping I would provide any emotional support, because I was a mess.  I was truly honored to stand in the 30 degree wind at 1:00 in the morning to welcome these soldiers home–they deserve it! 

Welcome home…and THANK YOU…to all our soldiers and their familes!

Last week I attended the 2009 WPPI Conference in Las Vegas.  I don’t really know what I expected, but with over 17,000 photographers in attendance, I felt a bit overwhelmed.  Some of platform classes filled up 45 minutes before the class even started, and some of the classes were not worth my time at all, but overall it was an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world.  The networking and friendships made with photographers from all over the world was invaluable.  And what I learned at this conference, as with other workshops I’ve been to, is that as much can be learned from others photographers in attendance as from the “teachers”. 

I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard or so much as I did last week with my roommates, Kim Green and her assistant Kelly Utz.  Such good times with such amazing women!  Anne Ruthmann took a video of one of my laughing bouts and I’m just hoping it doesn’t get published on her blog!     My only regret is coming home with the “WPPI Flu” that so many others have been afflicted with upon returning home.  I’m currently blogging from bed with a fever and a throat that feels like it has a tennis ball stuffed in it. 

We took advantage of our gorgeous roommate Kelly and forced her to bring her beautiful wedding gown all the way from Maryland and model for us while we worked the ring light and video light.  Here are some of my shots…

Kim brought her softbox and ring light.  We shot with Tracy Routh, Caroline Billman, Julia McInnis, and Candi Coffmann.

I am just about done editing the keepers from Love Affair.  I seriously have a cramp in my right hand from manipulating the mouse…STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER, KELLY!!

I have two more bride and groom couples to share and some other random images from the other models, but before I do, I just wanted to share a few images I snapped of some of Love Affair attendees.

First of all, my roomie, Kim of Kimberly Brooke Photography in DC.  She is an amazing photographer and was so fun to hang out with.  This one is from our shoot with Davina.  We actually had to be the models for this!  (More coming from this shoot).

This is one from out shooting into the sun playing

We had this enormous blue urn on the porch of our cottage and thought Kim should play genie!

These other shots are from Davina’s shoot.  Here’s  Maari (of Natural Impressions Photography)…

And Kevyn (of Kevyn Lynn Photography)…

The first day we arrived, my roommate Jennifer (of Jennifer Wathen Photography) and I pursuaded the gorgeous Lindsay (of Lindsay Jane Photography) to do some quick modeling for us on the beach.  Isn’t she a beauty?

And here are some random candids from our shoot with Davina.  Let me just say that modeling is HARD.  I did learn a bit about posing, like to turn sideways, lean forward and point your chin out–that takes care of that little gobbler under the chin! 

This is Davina shooting Kate (of Kate Harrison Photography)…

And Rachel (of Rachel Wilks Photography).  And let me just say that Rachel knew how to WORK IT!

Lauren Clark photographing her girls…

And lots of ladies just standing around waiting to shoot or be shot!

After a long day of travel, I’m finally home from beach.  The funny thing is, it was about 20-30 degrees warmer here in Kansas than it was in North Carolina.  I didn’t care though because I was so happy to squeeze my babies again!  They have changed so much, even in one week!

I’m not going to rattle on and on about the workshop, but let’s just say it was really incredible.  I feel so fortunate to have been able to attend that event and meet so many incredible photographers from all over the US.  I’m still trying to process it all…so as I do, I’ll continue to share images from the week.

This is one of our group shots, taken from Lauren’s blog.  I’m on the back row, right in front of the middle left house, next to the girl in the fur hood.

This image of us on a shoot is from Millie’s blog.  I’m in the middle with the hat on.  I love how my nose is all pressed up against the camera….attractive, eh?

This photo is from my roommate Kim’s blog.  She was using me to practice overpowering the sun with the off camera flash that was bounced into a reflector.

And this last one was a fun shoot designed by Kim.  In this photo we were "painting with light".  You are basically shooting in the dark with a thirty second shutter speed.  We flicked the light on for one second and then Elaine ran the flashlight over me in the spots we wanted exposed.  This takes some practice, and patience, but the results are amazing!