Summer Beach time fun!

New preview today! Starring the beautiful Cassi and her cute as a button daughter Mackenzie. It was an absolutely gorgeous day at the beach but wow, that wind really made it a challenge.

These two faced that challenge with big smiles. Of course, I took out the ones where we were laughing so hard because Cassi’s hair was completely in front of her.

If you are a “fan” on my facebook page you may have read my post about them putting a little gift together for Cassi’s husband who is deployed right now. I know he will love it!

ADORABLE!

Hope you all enjoy the preview as much as Mackenzie’s Daddy will!

Thanks Cassi!

Monica Martin

http://www.cocoabeanphoto.com/
monica@CocoaBeanPhoto.com
757 692-8138
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Ashley and Gerry at Smithfield Station

Beautiful location with a beautiful couple.

I have a suspicion they like traveling to beautiful locations. Once headed out to Smithfield Station I met up with Ashley and her fiancé Gerry who just happened to be leaving on deployment a few days after. My heart goes out to them as they had to put up with me in their cherished moments together.

 I love what I do though and glad I got the chance to meet you both.

(One of my favorites!)

I had an idea that it would be more personable to hear from those I photograph. Here is their story of how they met in Ashley’s words.

"Our story" isn't the most glamorous, but we actually met when we were both down at the Outer Banks for the weekend. He was on a training trip and was supposed to leave on Friday Morning to return to VA. We met on Thursday night and instead of going back to VA to spend his birthday weekend with his friends, he and a couple of the other guys decided to stay in the Outer Banks to celebrate and to spend the weekend there instead. We hung out every day and night that weekend and have been inseparable ever since! One of the guys he was with actually ended up marrying one of the girls I was with for the weekend that I've known since elementary school.

He asked me to marry him in February when we were in Salt Lake City for the weekend. We are getting married next April in the Bahamas....

One joke we had going for a while is that we'd never met anyone with the "same eyes" which I guess you could say is what drew us together in the first place...

Congratulations to you both!  My prayers are with you until you are together again.

A few other images can be found on my facebook page. To check them out click here. http://www.facebook.com/CocoaBeanPhoto

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!

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!

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!

Wendy and Sam

Wendy, congratulations on having you man back home!

This was my first homecoming on the airstrip and wow, a photographer's delight! I have already shown Wendy and Sam thier images but I had to share! I think you'll enjoy it too!

Sam Is a wonderful Navy pilot as you can clearly see. I had a great time watching the planes coming in, and it couldn't have been a more beautiful, sunny day!

You just can pass the opportunity to photograph this awe striking sight.

And wow, just as striking! These lovely ladies really know how to turn it up when thier husbands come in. What husband wouldn't be happy to see them? I love it!

They weren't the only ones excited to see those pilots come in though. I snapped up several shots of the kids nervously waiting for thier Daddies!

I love this shot! As you can tell, the wives were just as nervous or at least holding back overwhelming excitement!

And when these guys make an entrance- They make an entrance!

But nothing in the world beats that first moment back together!

Congrates to you Wendy and Sam and the rest of the group.