If you think being a soldier is tough, try loving one.

I recently did a boudoir shoot for the girlfriend of a soldier that is deployed with my husband to surprise him for Valentine's day. I can't exactly post any of the other pics but I'm sure this one speaks volumes anyway ;)

OpLove: Candace

Candace told me that most people assume it's her husband that is in the military, preparing for deployment. I have to say, there are quite a few female soldiers in my husband's unit so I wasn't at all caught by surprise.

Miss Candace and her sweet husband were so great to work with! They remind me a lot of me and my husband. Our guys both come off as the strong, silent type and we are the ones to take charge! I wish you guys all the best and hopefully we'll be able to set up a maternity shoot next year after your tour, Candace!

OpLove: Kayleen

OpLove shoots can be a very emotional experience to begin with. Preparing for deployment, especially the first one, can be very challenging.

Miss Kayleen and her fiancee Anthony will be getting married very soon. And not too long after, Anthony will deploy. They've faced other challenges in their lives too and I wish them all the best!

OpLove: Amber

Not long ago, I became an Army wife. And a few months after that, my husband deployed for a full year. I am now lucky enough to meet some amazing families that are getting ready to go thru some of the same things that I have been experiencing. The Vance family has been thru this before, but that doesn't make it any easier.

The Army National Guard will be deploying thousands of soldiers this Spring. My contribution to these families is being an OpLove photographer and volunteering to do free and/or discounted shoots for them so they have something to help them make it thru the rough days ahead.

It was such a pleasure meeting Amber and her sweet family! I'm proud to call them my extended military family.

Princess Breanna's First Birthday

I first met little Miss Breanna this summer. She wasn't quite ready to sit up by herself and now she's trying to run off from Mom & Dad! She celebrated her very first birthday and even held up her tiny finger to show everybody how old she is when asked! I can't wait to watch her continue to grow and become the princess that she is.