Jessica & John {Tulsa Wedding Photographer}

The Army tends to make people do things a little backwards.  Or delayed, maybe.  Yeah, delayed is the word I'm looking for.  See, I first met John & Jessica Pre-Deployment and they were already married.  It just took them a trip to Afghan and a few months (long enough to create a little peanut) to get to the public celebration part.  I was thrilled when Jessica asked me to photograph their reception and I can't wait to photograph that bump when it gets to be a little bigger!

Carrie {Tulsa OpLove Photographer}

I don't know how Carrie keeps up with her sweet babies all by herself but I give her lots of props!  It's hard enough taking care of life all by yourself when your other half is deployed.  Add in 4 little people and I'm pretty sure she deserves some sort of medal :D

Sarah {Tulsa OpLove Photographer}

I have been participating in the OpLove program for quite some time now and Miss Sarah's family is the very first Navy family that I've had the pleasure of photographing!  I guess that's not exactly shocking since we live in a land locked state :D  It was kinda nice seeing a different color of camo though ;)

Raelynne {Tulsa OpLove Photographer}

Army wives probably have the hardest job in the military!  I don't think people understand exactly what all we have the privilege of enduring, especially during deployments.  So, it's extremely exciting when we get our other half back from overseas.  Especially during the warmer months when we need those muscles to do the yard work and the random boy work that piles up while they are gone.  I'm sure Miss Raelynne agrees right about now since she just got custody of her soldier! :D

Jessica {Tulsa OpLove Photographer}

Talking boys into striking a pose is often quite difficult, they generally only do it for the woman in their life mostly.  Wether it be their wife or mother, they will give in just long enough to capture one or two good photos before they are done with you.  That is definitely a challenge when you're the one on the other side of the camera, pushing the button and trying very hard to capture them in just the right moment so that their mom/wife will have something to fill a frame on their wall.  Luck was on my side with Jessica's boys! :D

Jennifer {Tulsa OpLove Photographer}

The phrase "frenzied outbursts of emotion"doesn't even begin to explain what it's like for those of us on this side of deployment.  A whole year worth of birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, special events and everything in between that are missed.  It goes without saying that when the day comes when Dad comes home, "excitement" is an understatement!  I have to say, it's just as exciting for me.  Even when the soldier coming home isn't mine, but one from my husband's unit that didn't get to come home with everyone else because of medical issues.

Amber {Tulsa OpLove Photographer}

Being an OpLove photographer is more than capturing images of Soldiers in their uniforms, more than taking a photo of the stars and stripes, more than snapping a cute shot of a baby wearing their daddy's hat.  It's capturing all the emotions that go into deployment.  "D day" is obviously the hardest and homecoming is by far the best.  Especially when a little one is leading the way to daddy's concourse with her sign :)

Misty {Tulsa OpLove Photographer}

It was a pleasure to meet Misty's family last time I was in Ft Riley.  They were enjoying a few weeks of their favorite soldier being home and they were all troopers for enduring some cool, windy weather the day of our shoot!  Luckily, we got some good shots before everyone turned into popsicles :)

Anna {Tulsa OpLove Photographer}

I visit the Ft Riley area quite a bit.  I've got some pretty spectacular clients there.  Lately, I've been making the 5 hour drive (each way) once a month.  You would think that there wouldn't be very many changes in anyone within a 4 to 6 week time period, but that certainly isn't the case with Baby Chayse.  Babies change so rapidly, it's amazing!  He's such a handsome little guy and he's growing like crazy, of course!

Tia {Tulsa OpLove Photographer}

Gavin is one of my favorite lil guys.  He's so incredibly sweet and he's a big help to his mom while Dad is deployed.  He helps take care of his little sisters and make sure they have everything they need!  He's going to grow up to be a pretty great guy, if you ask me :)

Tiffany {Tulsa OpLove Photographer}

I finally got to meet Miss Mia's daddy while he was home on R&R recently.  She hadn't seen him since she was just itty bitty but I could definitely tell that she's in love with him.  I sure can't wait to do their homecoming photos!!

Tia {Tulsa OpLove Photographer}

It's taken us several months to get little miss Maddie to cooperate with our photo shoots.  She's finally coming around some though!  I had a blast with the girls, as always and look forward to their daddy's homecoming :)

Brandy {Tulsa OpLove Photographer}

I'm not at all a believer in the perfectly posed photograph.  Really, when do you strike the poses that some photographers put you in?  My favorite photos are the ones that are caught accidentally, rather.  They showcase people as they really are.  Especially when we're talking about kids who want no part of the whole photo session experience.  This session was no exception for Brandy's boys!  I think we came up with some great shots, in spite of their attempts of hiding from me :D

Tiffany {Tulsa OpLove Photographer}

Miss Mia was in rare form the day of our shoot.  It's been so fun to watch her personality grow with her tiny body.  I couldn't resist posting a teaser of the bubbles I caught her blowing!  She's just so stinkin' cute!!  I sure can't wait for her daddy to come home for R&R to see her :)

Lonnetta {Tulsa OpLove Photographer}

Jeremiah is seriously one of my favorite little people ever.  Even when he really wants no part of the whole photo session thing.  Which, he really wants later when I'm 5 hours away from him at home :D  He's so much fun and is always on the move.  I have no idea how I've been lucky enough to get some fun shots of him with as much as he's movin' & groovin'!

Anna {Tulsa OpLove Photographer}

Baby Chayse wasn't exactly sure about this whole photo shoot business.  He really thought it got in the way of his cuddle time and/or feeding times with Mom.  I'm not worried though, I'm certain she's been working on getting him very accustomed to the camera :)

Cecilia {Tulsa OpLove Photographer}

Cecillia's boys weren't quite as excited about our photoshoot as Katie was.  That's ok though because they were troopers and went along with us.  It was adorable to watch them look after their little sister.  No matter how tough boys are, they always make sure the baby girl has her needs met :)

Tia {Tulsa OpLove Photographer}

I wish I could put into words the difference I saw in Tia and her kids during our session this time.  We always have fun and we always wind up with some amazing shots but when the family had their hero home with them for R&R, you could see the love and joy in their faces!  Though their visit was short, Tia's husband will be home from deployment sooner rather than later and I can't wait for them to be together as a family again!