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!

Homecoming of the Roosevelt and the "S" Family

There are several sessions that I have not posted over this last year.   This was taken a few months ago and I just fell in love with this adorable cutie pie!

I meet with sweet little "V" and her mom, Johanna and freinds to all welcome home David, her Daddy.  The last time he had seen Little "V" she was just born so this was a particularly special treat.  You can only imagine what must go through a baby's mind.  I tried my best to capture her and her beautiful Mom's feeling as we finally got Dad off his big boat!  ;o)

Look at that face!  Poor Dad!  This must happen so often to these guys.

Granted, she was waiting several hours on the pier with thousands of other people in the crowd.  I had to post this one,  I loved it!  Luckily she did decide that Dad really was the good guy, as you can see below!

Thanks for allowing me to show off your special day!

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!

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.

I ♥ LOVE ♥ My Clients!! And Amber's Homecoming Preview

I just want to say thank you to all my customers. I really do love what I'm doing and I hope it shows! Cocoa Bean Photography Customers are the best! I wanted to post Amber's comments(My client while shooting the Iwo Jima's Homecoming).

She was so sweet to send such lovely remarks! Love it!

"So, It's almost midnight & I happened to think, hey I should check out the Cocoa Bean sight. I happened to stumble across this blog & wanted to let everyone here know how amazing you are! Words can not express the appreciation I have for you & what you did for my family that day. I never expected to see you stay past the first delay, let alone tough it out with all of us crazy, soaked Navy families. It means the world to me to have those images forever in my heart and to be able to share them with my daughter and family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything. And thank you to your friend as well! I can not wait to see the photos. I know the will great!ps... My husband says thank you too!" ~Amber

Amber- Thank you and here is your preview!



Amber and her daughter waiting anxiously for her Daddy to come in! She was so ready to see her favorite guy, and so sweet dressed in an adorable little sailor dress. Amber and all her family waited it out patiently.


...but as you can see waiting is not easy. If you happened to catch the previous blog explaining how long we had to wait you would already know- 6 extra hours is tough!

Even tougher in the cold, drizzley rain!


It is always a grand moment to watch the ships come in, but to be a sideliner watching the crowd of wives, children, and friends wait it out is heart wrenching!

Even with all that wait there is nothing that beats the happy ending! For me to get to record these happy endings is truely a pleasure and honor! Congratulations on your sailor coming home Amber and the rest of the families on the Iwo Jima.