Special Offer for Veteran's Day to Support our Troops

Session Fee- Vet's Day Special

As I sit here thinking how thankful I am for my freedom and all the sacrifices the veteran and current military soldiers and families have made I was struck with the thought that, "Hey, I can do something!"  I want to offer money toward care packages.  For this weekend only and *ending on Sunday, November, 13th, 2011 at midnight (EST) I will be donating a portion of all new Session Fees that are purchased through this link specially added for this promotion.  (For every session booked $50 dollars will be donated to the USO to make care packages for military and their families.  Hopefully through a portion of session fees we can make the lives a little brighter with these care packages.  Sessions are priced at ($135) and include a 1 hr session at location of our choosing around the Hampton Roads area.

The USO offers this message:

Our troops make impossible sacrifices every day. They leave behind their homes, friends and family to put their lives on the line to defend America. And it’s not just our servicemen who sacrifice – their mothers, husbands, wives, and children must hold strong until their brave family members return home.

That’s why the USO works every day to support our troops and their families. From morale-boosting care packages, phone cards, and even care for our wounded warriors, the USO brings a touch of home to our deployed troops and brings them closer to their families.

This Veterans Day, honor the service of our military by helping our active duty troops on the front lines. Donate now to the USO. 

*Sessions can be scheduled between December and June of 2012.  These are for single person or family sessions.  I believe there is a place to leave a note, if you could leave the date you prefer for your session or leave a note to determine at a later time.

Monica Martin
www.CocoaBeanPhoto.com
https://www.facebook.com/CocoaBeanPhoto
757 692-8138

Kaela- Missing her Mom

This is a look back at a very special session I did last year of a beautiful young girl, Kaela who had an equally beautiful personality. It was about this time of year and it was chilly.  Carla, her grandmother, recently contacted me and I thought I would show off the portrait session we had at the beach.  I also wanted to share the touching note Carla wrote:

Kaela is a 9 yr. old child of Autism, she is bright, loving, and funny in her own kind of way. Her Mother is in the Navy, and at the time the photos were taken she was in Bahrain and had been for almost a year. I wanted these photos taken and made into an album to be given to her Mother for not only Mother's Day, but as a Homecoming Gift as well.


Monica,

I really appreciate what you do for the Military, it is such a Wonderful way of giving back to them.

THANK YOU!!

Carla

Carla,  thank you for allowing me to capture these moments!

"The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera."

                                    -Dorthea Lange

One Cold Homecoming that Warmed the Heart

I met with Karen, her two beautiful daughters, and her mother for her husband, David's, homecoming in December.  It was a very cold morning, so we were all bundled up as we waited for the approach of the USS Fort McHenry.  All reunions are so special but Karen was about to introduce one little bundle of joy to her new Daddy for the very first time.  A meeting I was so excited to capture!

Even bundled up we got some great shots of these girls!  The baby was so happy since was cuddled up with her mommy.  As the little one got more sleepy her big sister got more excited to see the long awaited passenger she wanted most, her Daddy!

I appreciate you calling to have me capture your special day.  I truely do have the best job!

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!

Homecoming of the Bluetails

I now have a couple of homecomings to share with you all. For today I'll start off with the reunion of a very sweet family at the homecoming of the VAW 121 Bluetails.

Normally I would be shooting all the planes coming in together. But this daddy showed up a little earlier than the rest. I suppose he really couldn't wait to see these boys. They were all over him and did not want to let go. This was a very special reunion for this little man! He has cerebral palsy and has just learned to walk while Dad's been gone. Quite a special treat!

If you can't tell this is Mr. Superstar! All the planes started landing and he started jammin'! LOVE IT!

Can you even resist that look? This is my fav! What a look!

I had to put this one in with his sweet look that could melt chocolate.

Now, I made mom come out of the hanger for a few shots and I'm glad I did. Always great for a few shots dad can cherish. You look great Laura!

Dad found us and jumped right in for a little kiss. Perfect shot to a perfect day!

Caught ya!

Daddy's Home!

Looking for the planes!

Thank you so much for including me in your day. I hope you truely enjoy these and the rest of the images.

Also, thank you Justin, for your service. It has been a pleasure showing this family off.

Next blog coming soon that includes the Eisenhower homecoming and features a couple of familiar faces to Cocoa Bean Photography, Lindsey and Tyler!

Check out the new video/Slideshow

Finally put together a slide show of the specialized military sessions I specialize in. Pass it along for those who might be interested. It's on YouTube also! I welcome any comments about the video as well as those who have participated in the program. Thanks for checking it out!

Mercedes and Steven

I can't believe I have not posted a blog about this family. Steven and Mercedes' little girl was so darn sweet and so fun. I think every one who knows me knows I get all excited around little, adorable, pink, girls. No, it's not because I some wierd girl stalker! It's just one of those things about having 4 boys and a husband that I feel a little need for pink once in a while. So when I get the chance for fluff and ruffles I have a blast.

With this family, it was no exception. I stopped by their home and set up for their session. Steven is in the military, so we incorporated some shots that centered around that spirit. Perfect images to enjoy when he's on deployment.

Thank you Steven and Mercedes.
I hope you all enjoy the preview.

This one really filled the pink, fluffy, lacey girly need. I love this one and want to get a big display of it.

The patriotic baby! Raising the flag for her Daddy!

The girl who can really melt the tough guy!

Both beautiful mother and daughter, Gorgeous Girls!

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