Recently I was asked by a client to photograph a gathering of Navy wives & families as they waited for their husbands & fathers, sons & brothers to return from a stint at sea. Always up for an adventure and a chance to learn something new (generally from my mistakes), I packed up my trusty Canon and hopped in an enormous SUV packed with kids, dogs, cooler, chairs, etc. Did you know they make retractable running boards? So. Extremely. Cool.
The idea was that I would be taking pictures, so the families could be in the moment and not worry too much about getting the shot – airhorns, anyone? Turns out, I saw some pretty fancy cameras, some savvy photographers, and I would be willing to bet my shots weren’t the best taken, but I did enjoy it so, and I hope there are a few keepers in the bunch!
Here are a few images of the evening that left an indelible impression on my heart. It was a true privilege to witness the sense of community and commitment these women are bound by. They are every bit as brave and noble as any warrior. I was struck by their passion, their hope and their isolation, even within the crowd.
God Bless America.