The Peets {Part Duce}

Being a military family is a tough gig but being a dual military family takes amazing strength. After shooting their family (here) Natalie came to me asking if I could take pictures of them with their kids while they are in uniform. Natalie is on her way of becoming discharged from the Marines and although they live off the saying 'once a Marine, always a Marine' she didn't feel that once she was out she could wear the uniform anymore. So she came to me asking if I could do this one last thing. With their suitcases packed and living at a friend's house getting ready to head back to California we had minimal time and options for location. We did the best we could with what we had and all in all I think the pictures captured what she wanted and will be able to give her the memories she wants before she becomes a civilian, hangs up her blouse and puts away the boots. To the Peets, you will be missed in Okinawa but we will see you again back in Cali!

By the look in the kids' eyes you can tell that even at their young age they are beyond proud of their parents.

Kailey sporting Mommy's blues

Jayden sporting Daddy's blues

Saluting wearing Mommy and Daddy's covers.

Glow Sticks and Steel Wool {Long Exposure}

Minutes after the the sunset on Araha Beach, Okinawa

I am typically not one to do landscapes as I hardly know how do set up a tripod properly, however, my fellow photographer friends here on island have found quite the niche for creating orbs with light sticks and steel wool. I had yet to do join them on their previous meet-ups but last friday I was finally able to join in on the fun and meet up with them at a local beach about a mile from my home. We ended up meeting right at sunset and stayed until the locals kicked us off the beach because they were closing. After finally figuring out my settings (again, I rarely mess with long exposure as I am constantly chasing around a 4 year old) and figuring out the tripod I had an awesome time! My photographer friends are always helping out and giving me a good laugh which was the perfect way to end my week while my son sat nicely in my lap and watched the magic. Can't wait for our next glow stick and steel wool extravaganza!

 Last picture of the night :)

The Peets {Family}

Coming to island I had full intentions to starting up a photography business, however, when we got here it seemed like everyone who owned a DLSR has a business. How was I going to compete with that? In turn, I put that idea in the back of my mind and just started to learn and take as many daily life photos as I could. It wasn't til recent that friends of mine started asking 'how much do you charge?' 'Can you take my kid's picture?' and so on. I don't like to charge people as of yet because, one-I don't have a business and two-I am still learning. I have done photo shoots, sure. But, they have all been my planning or me tagging along just to portfolio build and learn. That all sort of changed last night when I did my first family shoot. My friend Natalie came to me a few weeks ago asking if I would take pictures of her and the family before they leave island. I was hesitant as first, why? Because, I had absolutely no intentions of building a business around taking pictures of families or kids. But since they have become such close friends I agreed. Things were a bit rushed as the sun ended up falling a little sooner than I had expected and it was freezing but I had my book of ideas in hand and we just started shooting. It was a lot less stressful than I had thought especially since I felt a little more pressure of creating great shots since they are friends...and they know where I live LOL But over all I am very pleased with how the photos turned out. I wish the Peets the very best in their next adventures back in Cali and thank you for putting your trust in me as your photographer.