Sending Hugs to their Soldier {OpLove Photography}

Monday evening I met up with Miss K and her Mommy; it was a beautiful, breezy evening - just perfect for collecting pine cones,  making silly faces, and capturing some smiles and long-distance hugs to send to their Soldier overseas in Afghanistan... 

Miss K's "Daddy Doll" {a stuffed doll with a photo of her Daddy's smiling face in it - a deployment gift a majority of FRGs hand out to families to help little ones cope with missing their Mom or Dad} is obviously well-loved. In the portrait above, I swear her Daddy could probably feel that hug she was giving him! {Oh! tug on the heart strings!!} 

I know her Daddy is going to love having an album of his two beautiful girls, laughing and smiling together, arrive in the mail...and I know they certainly can't wait to welcome him back home...

OpLove Disclaimer:

"The photos and other content of this publication do not constitute or imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense."

The T Family {downtown Fayetteville}

 I FINALLY had the opportunity to link up with this beautiful family to capture some memories for them...I say finally because it took four attempts before their session actually happened - craziness! We were originally supposed to link up back in November, but my surgery prevented that one from happening. The next two attempts Mother Nature was just being a plain old pain in the rear end; cold, rainy, and just plain miserable. But of course, all good things come to those who wait! Monday evening we linked up and enjoyed some sun, breeze, and lots of energy from little "G!" What a cutie!

 Like most little ones G's age, it was all about exploring and running around...we were going up steps, down steps, through puddles; we did stop long enough to check out Dad's ribbons on his Dress Blues...
it was definitely one of those "thank gosh for the 'high speed continous' setting" afternoons! Three quick snaps in one 'pose' and then off to the races! {I actually love those fast-paced little ones...keeps ya thinkin' on your toes!}

Mom and Dad are just so sweet; I love when parents can't help but 'glow' everytime they look at their little one. Dad especially just couldn't stop beaming when he looked at G; he left for Iraq when G was 4 months old, and you can just tell in the few months he's been home now he has just been soaking up all the joy & wonder of his now toddler. oh! Tug on the heartstrings!!!

I had to snag this one above; I shot through a city trashcan. I really need to thank city officials for placing trashcans downtown that have a bit of an art deco design to them - it makes them fun to play with!

T family, thank you so much for your patience in rescheduling your session! I'm so glad we finally had the opportunity to capture these moments for you! You are wonderful to work with, and I look forward to sharing the rest of  your gallery with you oh-so-soon!!

The "G" Family {Fayetteville Family Photography}

Sweet Mr "A" stole my heart this summer when I had the opportunity to photograph he & his Mommy for an OpLove session. I remember opening the door to the car to help get him out; he turned, wrinkled up his itty bitty forehead, and gave me hands-down the most adorable pouty face I have ever seen. To this day I don't know what it was about that pout, but I've never seen a cuter one....it just melted my heart...

In fact, a couple months later I actually met up with A and his Mom for dinner, and even after he peed on me I still couldn't help but this "oh this is just the cutest little guy ever!" {Let me clarify...not because he peed on me, but because the "power" of his little pout just still hadn't worn off! hehe}

Well it goes without saying that I could not have been more excited to get to see him again. He is now the Big "1"... and even better, his Daddy is home safe & sound from Iraq! Woo-hoo!

We met up last Friday for a family session, and got to enjoy some of this year's mild winter weather. {thank goodness, because I am a WIMP in the cold} We hit downtown Fayetteville before heading over to Arsenal Park, where we got to capture some great shots of the family playing together under a tree. Love those! Which brings me to a reminder....

...I love sharing peeks into each session here on my blog and featuring sessions on my website, however I completely respect each of my clients' wishes and privacy and will never post anything they are not comfortable with. If a family lets me know that they are not comfortable with their full names and/or images being shared on the internet than I completely respect that. For this family, Dad requested for me to please not use names, and to not use any images where he is shown. That is his right, and I completely respect it...

'till later! XOXO Missie

The Brady Family

I just simply adored photographing this family!

I haven't done a "family feet" portrait in a while...and I think these are always cute to put on the back side of a Holiday card or back cover of an album. Simple and fun

This is the second time in a couple of weeks a family has chosen lavendars & greys for their wardrobe, and I just love the combination. It's so soft & pleasing, flatters skin tones, and photographs beautifully. Thanks to my awesome families I now know what color palette I'll be going with for my own family portraits.  

Hanging out with the McBrayers {Linear Park}

What a super sweet bunch this family is...and I love the lavendar the gals were wearing - from Emma's sweater dress to Elizabeth's boots and little collar detail, they had it so right on! And how badly do I want to go boot shopping now...lovin' all three pair!

Great job on the styling, you guys! Everyone looked so great; your clothes "flowed" and worked great together,  but still showed everyone's personalities. Paired with your fantastic smiles and how cuddly you all are...it's a big thumbs up!

I had a great time getting to know you guys and can't wait for you to see your gallery! Hope you've enjoyed this little sneak peek; there's so much more to come! Thanks so much for a fantastic session!

Counting the Days! {OpLove}

So excited that I had the opportunity to work with this family again! We met up this summer for a family session when Dad was home...now that he's in Afghanistan, they're counting down the days, minutes, & hours until they can all be together again!

I cannot believe how much "C" has grown in just the past couple months; and I was loving that he was all smiles and giggles for these long-distance hugs & kisses being sent to Dad. Miss "J" was a great model, as usual, and really should win the award for best big sister. {and how gorgeous is Mom?!}

I know without a doubt that their Soldier is going to love having these moments to enjoy, and I certainly hope these smiles from home help the days go a bit quicker.

{OpLove disclaimer: "The photos and other content of this publication do not constitute or imply any endorsement ot recommendation by the Department of Defense."

Harley & Her People {OpLove Photography}

{OpLove disclaimer}

 "The photos and other content of this publication do not constitute or imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense." 

 

Say "hello" to Harley and her two favorite People. I was lucky enough to spend part of Sunday morning with the three of them down at Linear Park here in Fayetteville. Between the adorable little puppy head tilts & kisses from Harley and the sweet adoring glances at eachother from this fabulous couple, I just couldn't get enough...

These two are just sweet beyond words, and seeing how in love they are just has kept me smiling all weekend. I loved going through their images as I was creating their gallery; almost every shot included them just all doe-eyed towards one another, and just like this one above they all just radiated with warm gushy feelings. Them having an incredibly well-behaved and uber adorable puppy just almost made it unfair...I mean c'mon! Since when do puppies just cozy up on a lap and tilt their heads just so like a photographer hopes they will? I was totally loving it! {And I have to brag a bit....this was the SECOND shot of the day. I could've just melted with happiness}

It's always my pleasure and honor to photograph an OpLove session.This couple was just so warm and easy-going; I truly hope I can be there to capture them reuniting when this deployment is over...

 

To "P" and "A": Thank you for this opportunity. Your personalities and love are infectious - you're both so wonderful to be around. I hope for you that this year flys by; stay safe & keep those smiles in your hearts...and may your Skype calls be clear & crisp without any awkward delays & video freezes {seriously!} 

XOXO Missie

 

Adrienne & Mike {Fayetteville}

Tammi & Rob {xoxo}