Colin, Amee & JJ { Operation Love ReUnited }...

I had the pleasure of photographing this beautiful family from Fort Drum for Operation Love Reunited recently. Amee contacted me to schedule her session before her husband Colin deployed to Afghanistan. We met at Freedom of Expresso coffee shop in Franklin Square for our session.

Being February in Central New York it was a little bit cold but we made it work. They braved the cold and walking through some deep snow in order to capture some family memories before he deployed.

I am truly honored to be a volunteer photographer and the Regional Coordinator for Operation Love ReUnited. There is no greater feeling than being able to give back to these incredible military families that sacrifice so much for all of us. Thank you!!!

If you are a photographer, and would like to donate your time and talent please visit the website at http://www.oplove.org/.

Syracuse Family Portrait Session { Operation Love ReUnited }...

Another beautiful Operation Love ReUnited family from Fort Drum - Tammy, Jeremy, Arianna, Peyton and Leah. Their three little girls were so adorable and loved my little flags! I think I may have tired them out too!

A few of my favorites from our session at Franklin Square. Thank you Jeremy for everything you do and the sacrifices you make on a daily basis for all of us! God Bless!

Lauren & Kennedy { oplove }...

Another military wife waiting for the safe return of her husband. Another precious child waiting for her daddy to hug and kiss her again. Another wonderful Operation Love ReUnited session. I'm so grateful for the sacrifices these families make each and every day. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I met Lauren and 8 1/2 month old Kennedy at Thompson Park in Watertown, NY for our portrait session. We were blessed to have warm sunshine and a cool breeze at the park while we were shooting. And little Kennedy was such a trooper and so happy. Oh and mom picked out the most perfect outfit for her too. She must have known I love bright colors, lol.

We spent over an hour at Thompson Park playing on the playground, walking around and just enjoying the sunshine.

A few of my favorites from this Operation Love ReUnited session...

A Day at the Park { OpLove }...

Another beautiful Operation Love Reunited family from Fort Drum! I have been so busy with these sessions the last few months. Word is really spreading around Central New York about this wonderful organization and the service we provide for these families.

We met at Onondaga Lake Park for our shoot and were fortunate to have gorgeous weather too. It's a really great place for documentary style portraiture and the playground is always a favorite for the kids.

I'm sure dad will love receiving an album full of pictures of his family while he is deployed. It's a little piece of home while he is away serving our country.

Operation Love Reunited - Jennifer

A few from a recent Operation Love Reunited session with a family from Fort Drum. This time I drove to their home on base. Having three young children it was much more convenient for me to go to them. And I don't mind driving as long as the weather cooperates. They were such a cute family and the kids were so friendly and welcoming.

Dad is leaving soon for another deployment and mom just found out she's pregnant with their fourth child!

Julie & Aurora { Operation Love Reunited}...

Another Operation Love Reunited session from last week. I have been doing a lot of these sessions the past few weeks. It seems all of our Fort Drum boys are being deployed!

Julie and Aurora (3 months old) came to my studio for their session. Dad hasn't seen his daughter since she was born. And even though Aurora was a little fussy ( I think she misses her daddy ) we managed to capture some great moments for dad.

I'm getting ready to order the prints Julie choose for dads album. The album will be sent to him in Afghanistan. He'll have a little piece of home with him during his deployment.

Operation Love Reunited Session....

Another wonderful Operation Love Reunited session in the studio. Joshs' mom scheduled the session before he was to be deployed to Afghanistan. She wanted some portraits with her son, and his fiancee. It had been years since they had their pictures taken.

A few days after our session Missy & Josh got married!!! And he was deployed the following day. Congrats you two, wishing you a long and happy life together. Thank you Josh for serving our country!

OpLove Homecoming { BLOG }...

I was so honored to be able to capture this emotional Marine Homecoming celebration as part of the Operation Love Reunited organization. It is an experience I will never forget and one of my most rewarding sessions. Over a hundred marines returned to Central New York. It was a huge celebration with food, music and tears.

Tony has been deployed and away from his family for nearly a year! He had never met his new little boy Evan and got to hold him for the first time when he arrived. I cannot even imagine what that is like for him and his wife and children.

Thank you for your courage, sacrifice, dedication and for keeping us all safe! We are so proud of you all.

OpLove { Sacketts Harbor } ...

Another wonderful Operation Love Reunited family to share. We did this session on location at Sacketts Harbor. It is a special place for the family. Dad is serving his country and is currently deployed in Afghanistan. Mom is home with the two little ones and taking care of the house while he is gone. They are anxiously awaiting his safe return home.

Thank you to all of our courageous military men, women and families.

For more information on Operation Love Reunited please click here.

OpLove { Laura & Jesse }...

Another Operation Love Reunited session with a wonderful mom and her young son. Dad is proudly serving in Afghanistan and hasn't seen his family in over seven months. Mom is due with their second child in early September.

We went to Onondaga Lake Park for our session for more relaxed, unposed images. And honestly, when you have a 14 month old little one they don't want to sit in a studio for too long.

Even though baby Jesse wasn't feeling well, we had a great shoot. With an active toddler to chase around I was having a blast. And Jesse chased every bird and dog he could see.

Dad will be surprised to receive a photo album in the mail and I'm sure it will bring him to tears. I know I was a bit teary eyed as I was sorting through the images. I can only imagine how he'll feel seeing images of his wife and little boy. And how he'll want to come safely home to them soon.

For more information on Operation Love Reunited click here.