Monday, July 28, 2008

Operation Love ReUnited


Many in Hampton Roads have been through a military deployment. There are no words to explain how hard it must be to send the father or mother of your children off to some foreign dangerous land, leaving you all behind…. Alone. It’s indescribable to watch their faces light up as their father or mother comes down the stairs of the ship or off the aircraft after months, possibly a year or more, of not hugging each other. Emotions fly through everyone, it’s so very good to be home. Your base’s Family Support Squadron will help you with your deployment. But the last thing on your mind when your wife or husband arrives home after a 4 to 18+ month tour, is capturing all this love– on camera. Most people are so overwhelmed with emotions they forget to simply point and shoot the camera they are grasping to get their child’s first hug, or that single tear of relief from a mother being able to hold her twenty year old son again. With the help of Operation: Love ReUnited I am here to help you capture that moment. The Operation helps those long months go by a little faster. It’s designed to capture moments that you will never remember. It’s art. It’s love. And it’s all made possible by artists wanting to give something back to those who make the United States what it is, and ask for nothing in return- but to come home! If you are a member of the United States Military, and are interested in having very special and touching images with a patriotic edge taken of you and/or your family before a deployment or during, and at your reunion, please contact me now. You will receive a memorable gift in appreciation for all you have been through as a military member. The gift included is a 4x6 album of pre-deployment images, such as a child’s hand clasped in his parent’s with the faint glimpse of a BDU sleeve, a marine in dress with his family, a sailor with his parents right before departure, or a child playing dress up in combat boots and a helmet. The album will be sent to the deployed soldier by the photographer, at no cost to you. Also with your package, all session fees will be waived. Who I'd like to meet:We would like to meet ANYONE who needs our help!GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES!

This emotional session preview is from a wonderful couple who had been apart during thier marriage almost as long as they have been together. It was great to meet them both including thier mothers who also traveled across the US to be part of this touching moment of Mr. N stepping off the ship from his very long deployment to the Iraq war. I can't wait for you to see them all!!







*More information from this blog may be found at http://www.oplove.org/ site

Monday, July 14, 2008

Beach'n IT! Senior Style...

There is definitely something appealing about being at the beach. It apparently is enough so that I decided to blog about it. I live close enough to the beach at Sandbridge that overhead I can see a flapping advertisment sign being pulled by a prop plane meant for all the beach goers, I often feel the pain of slower traffic during the summer, and longer lines on a Sunday afternoon at the grocery store. Even with these small unconviniences I still am thrilled to be able to pack the kids in the Car and go to the beach. Actually, I'd say we are quite lucky to have the convinience so close.

I often pick the beach as a backdrop for many portrait sessions. It's beautiful as well as a relaxed, fun environment. I recently did a senior portrait session there and had a great time. Samantha was gracious enough to let me try some fun posing with her. Sam is a beautiful young lady who I couldn't help but think how she looks like Audry Hepburn. Her mom Mary is quite a riot to have along there too. Mary you can help me any time!!

There are so many ideas that can "surface," and the lighting in the evening has an awesome glow about it. Although, on the close up here with Sam we used a light to boost the colors, as it was getting late.
The flexability is great as far as clothing goes. You can dress up, but most of my clients, like Samantha here, enjoy a casual relaxed look. The no-shoes factor is a nice way to go too! Everyone seems to smile a little bit more.
I love doing Seniors. Just as Sam did, they often love trying new things and want something a little unique compared to everyone else. As I mentioned in a previous blog, traditional posing gets a little boring so I enjoy trying new stuff.
Congratulations, Sam! I love how they turned out!
Monica Martin


Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Get the Blogging started

I am so excited that I have put together my blog finally. I am blogging, I am a blogger! I sound so journalistic!

Anyway, WELCOME! You have found your place to Cocoa Bean Photography's Blog site. Just to tell you a little about me... I am a photographer excited by my work and clients. Every session I take I gain new friends. I can't help it. I love to get to know my customers so that I can take better portraits that are uniquely them. I am not totally fond of the old boring portraits of the past- sit someone on a stool here, someone else here, so on and so on, creating some kind of isometrical triangle. I love to shoot outside, although I have a studio I can set up. But the freedom of using nature, throwing on a playful hat, or just capturing the close-ups can give the photo life that you just can't find in a "4 pose, turn 'em this way, turn 'em that way, get 'em in get 'em out studio. Yes, I do formal shots, if the need calls for it. Certainly a bridal shot on all black is quite striking, as is a beautiful, tiny newborn. But when it comes down to it I want to capture the personality with the setting. Call or email for your personalized portrait session. We can find out what setting is right for you!

Monica Martin
Cocoa Bean Photography
(757) 692-8138