abmbymegan

As most of you know I am a military spouse. A momma. A photographer. My days are filled with text messages, e-mails, diapers, editing & sessions. The most common requests I receive are for military homecomings. From day 1, I have loved these types of sessions. The emotion is real. The day is hectic. There is no other moment in this crazy lifestyle that is more amazing. After 6, 9, 12 months…your loved one is home. Ahhhh, chills! So, I thought I would explain the booking process, my availability, cost etc.

Hiring a photographer for this type of event is a big deal. We book fast. I am booked for homecomings where the deployment hasn’t even begun yet. Crazy, I know, but it happens. I book one family/unit/homecoming. So {for example} Mrs. Smith e-mails me for 1/10 out of Pendleton. I write down the estimated return window in my schedule, the unit, her name….and now I am booked for 1/10. I will turn away any more inquiries for 1/10. I ask her to keep me posted and on goes the day! Big homecomings {MEU} or groups with multiple returns {ADVON} I can book per group, again one family. So the ACE group of the MEU & the ground side. I can book one family per ADVON & Mainbody. So it may be two families per unit, but I will only photograph one family per day. I know it sounds confusing, and when I receive a message or e-mail, my first questions will be:

1.What unit/squadron/base

2.Return Window

So, that is the hard part!!!

Time of day….the unknown! As of right now, I can handle homecomings at mostly all hours. Homecoming requests for July 2014 and on will receive a message stating that late evening, overnight and early homecomings will not be possible {10pm-6am}. I understand time is a huge unknown and always subject to change. So I ask that you keep me posted as we get closer. As with all homecomings private communication is key. DO NOT post dates, times, or any other info to my Face Book timeline. This is for the safety of ALL deployed service members.

Location! I will travel to Camp Pendleton, Miramar, Navel Base San Diego & San Diego airport for homecomings. I plan to arrive 1 hour prior to the expected arrival. I know there are delays, so don’t you worry. I am covered and will hang out with you until they are back!

What to expect?! This is a big one. First deployment or fifth…they are all a challenge and all different. Homecomings are all different as well. Emotions are insane. I understand this. If you wanna chat, we’ll chat, if you would rather silence…sounds good. I will feed off of you and go from there. Regardless, I want you to be as calm as possible! I will do what I can to help. I will grab kiddos, push strollers, dress babies. I will fix hair, find cellphones, and check the time. Most of you know that I am a jokester, and like to chat. Feel free to tell me to be quiet, I won’t mind. I do feel I am quite demanding at a homecoming, I know, you are thinking “demanding”? Let me explain…this day is super important, so I will do what I can to make sure it is as perfect as can be. I may point you in the direction of a great light for an evening homecoming…an empty spot in the back near the hanger door. Why? Amazing light and space so the kids can run to daddy and there are no crowds. Again though, this is your day….if you are gonna run, by all means RUN…just let me know, so I can run too!