coming home.

way back last June, i photographed a family who was celebrating their 7th wedding anniversary.  shortly thereafter, the dad, who is in the U.S. Air Force, shipped off to Iraq.  we knew he’d be leaving (hence the session), and my work for them was done through Operation Love, a volunteer organization of photographers who photograph deploying and returning servicemembers, together with their families.

imagine my excitement when i received the email from the mom the first week of January, “Aileen, Major O comes home this weekend.  He gets into BWI at 7am on Saturday, arriving from Iraq through Germany.  We hope you can make it.”  ABSOLUTELY.

wow.  homecomings are just incredible.

waiting….

more waiting…

mom gets the text… he’s in customs.  long lines….

and there he is!!

kids first.

and then mom.

i just LOVE the girls looks on their faces in these next two images as they look at their mom and dad….

Daddy’s home.

i love you guys.

thank you Captain O for your service to our country.

thank you.

and not 3 minutes later, another family awaits and reunites….

Home.

what a great feeling.

have a great weekend.  i’ll see you on Monday.

xo

A

p.s. square format images shot on my Hasselblad with Kodak Portra 400.  black and white images were shot on my Nikon F100 with Kodak BW400CN.  all other images shot on my D300.