Joanna and Derrick at the Beach

Loved this session!  I had to post immeadiately when I realized I hadn't shown off any of these images.  Yes, sometimes I have devoured myself in my shoots so much that I think everyone has seen them! ;o) 

Anyway, here is a cheers to you Joanna and Derrick!  You two are such a wonderful couple and it was a pure pleasure to photograph you both!  I can't wait for you to see your package you picked out as well as your photobook!  Your going to love them.  In fact here are a few of my favorites!!  Windy hairblown look and all!!






Derrick serves in the Navy and I always have to give a big thanks to those that serve!!  He came back recently from deployment and as may be leaving again soon.  Please send him and his family a prayer as well as one for all  those who are deployed.

Loved this image!  The look on his face is totally priceless!

Making the Most of Deployment Day

I hear absence make the heart grow fonder but in the military, families that deal with deployment really take that whole idea to a new level.  This session was taken a few months back but I wanted to backtrack and post this session to show light on this great family.  I met them on the day they were facing their Husband, son and father, Byron, who was leaving to serve in Iraq.  Lisa and Byron, thank you for calling me to record your day together on Byron's deployment day.  It was great to be able to photograph you, your children and parents.  Here is a review of some of my favorite images.

I went with them and many of the other families to attend the deployment ceremony

I took the time to photograph many of the other families around me as well.  Watching everyone get in their last good-bye's and hugs.

Afterwards we went to a spot near were they were staying as they spent their last few hours together before the departure.

It was a great session Lisa and Byron.  You have an amazing family full of strength and peace.  My prayers are with you all!!  I hope you enjoyed your session as well as the images here!

Can you believe it? Christmas Card Time!!!

I know, barely past Labor Day and some of you may not want to hear that in three short months we will be smack dab in the middle of the Christmas Holiday season.  Since portraits are not something you want to wait until the last minute to take care of I want to get this post out to show off some of the great 5x7 folded cards I have available.

These are great if you are looking for something better than the same old "Slim line" photo card.  The colors are bright, modern and look amazing!

You'll see you can order the card so that your images can fit perfectly with horizonal or vertical cards.

Also, what makes these great are that we can customize the text on the inside for a personal message.

Can't decide on your favorite portrait? There are some you can choose with 1 image or several images!

What a great variety!

Call soon to get those holiday pictures scheduled and tell me your favorite style!!

Here are a few samples:

Monica

757 692-8138

or email 

These show the outside of the card as well as the inside of the card with the fold down the middle.  The dotted line is there to show the fold for demonstration purposes only!

Weekly Photo Tips blogs about my self portrait work! Thanks

 How FUN is this? I was interviewed by Scott over at http://weeklyphototips.blogspot.com/ He has great bitesized tips, information and interviews on his blog.

He sent me an email a couple weeks ago about my self portrait I use as my profile picture and said he saw it and loved it!  Check out the blog and read about it there!  Before I get a "big head" I want to thank Scott for the mention on your blog. I am honored that it was noticed.  Especially pertaining to self portraits, which I find dreadful!  I'll take my families and babies anytime to staring at my own portrait!

Weekly Photo Tips

For all my readers, Scott has a great site and the information is easy to read , but more importantly it hits directly and precisely to many great photogrphy topics.

Check out Scott and all his informative posts! 

Family Celebrates A Golden Anniversary!

New session review of this beautiful family who got together to celebrate their Parents/Grandparents 50th Anniversary.   A big congratulations to you both of you.  Here is a look at this gorgeous couple (love the choice of outfits and color), as well as the rest of the family that got to join them on their vacation.

Hope you enjoyed your Anniversary and I hope you all enjoy your portraits.  I had a great time taking your session!

I love the way these two above turned out.  Mom and Dad suggested it and they look great!  It's a great way to cluster a few portraits together on a wall.

The color in the sunset was absolutely beautiful. 

Kids were such good sports taking a few extra here and there.  Great job to each of you!

Two Girls and 1 Mom - Missing Dad!

When I say too cute, I really mean it! Mom and these two girls were so fun to photograph. They called me to do a session so that they could send some portraits to Dad who is on a very long deployment. Although, to every military family facing this, what deployment isn't long?

I am so excited to get this beautiful wall portrait, that you see above, to mom. I just love how it turned out and makes a great example of a composite or collage.

We even got a little bit of a fun attitude showing up during the photo session! It's always welcomed and makes for a great shot! They both have one of Dads hats on. Makes me smile every time!

The older of the two was great at posing here. We did get quite a bit with her wearing the hat then we tried pulling it away from her for this sassy picture under the pier.

The younger sister had no problem posing for the camera either! She has such a beautiful innocent look with her adorable braided pigtails! I soooo love it! You know me, I have all boys, so all this cute girlyness is so much fun!

No beach photo session is complete with out a walk along the surf! They made it extra special by taking advantage as a moment to have fun together. I know their dad is going to truely adore these with so much of their personality showing through!

Full of giggles and grins!

And even mom joined in for the shoot! I'm so glad she did. Dad will appreciate it! I hope you enjoy your portraits and my prayers for you and your family will continue until he is home! Thank you for becoming a Cocoa Bean Customer!

Eisenhower Comes in for a great Homecoming!

As promised the update on The homecoming of the USS Eisenhower! Congratulations to all the sailors coming home to be with their family and loved ones. This time I got to snap up the reunion of Tyler to Lindsey. She has been counting down the days with so much enthusiasm it was a pleasure to see them together again.

I loved the shirts she and his whole family were wearing! Aren't they great?!

His family was excited to see him jump off that ship too. It's so hard to wait especially in the 95 degree heat and humidity. It is such a treasure to see thousands of families going through the same feelings of excitement and anticipation. Love it!

Couln't get away without a picture of his Mom and Dad looking on. Loved this one of the ship and family in the glasses.

It is great seeing the ship come around the bend of the Chesapeake Bay toward the pier. I was capturing this just under the bow of the USS Truman who I got to shoot Last year coming home. I'm sure Lindsey got some great shots too. She got to go up on the Truman with a few of the officer's wives to wait. At this point the crowd is starting to cheer and the exciment is building!

At one point I look up and had to capture this shot of Old Glory waving in the sky. I think they were waving in time to the music playing on the peir. I tell ya, it's a great experience.

And I never get tired of seeing the guys and gals come in lined up all around the deck.

I'm so happy for you two! I hope you enjoy these picture just as much as your last few sessions!

Thanks so much Tyler, for doing what you do! It's a pleasure shooting for you two!

The happy couple heading home!