Oahu Hawaii Photographer/ Military Homecoming Session on Oahu/ The N Family

Nothing is more magical than having the opportunity to capture the first kiss, first hug, and the first moments when a loved one finally get to reunite with their service member after many months of deployment.

I've always wanted to capture a homecoming because I have a spot for the military community. I have family members and friends who are currently serving and many who are military veterans. So I was super ecstatic when J reached out to me and asked me to be their Oahu family photographer for when her husband returned home.

The setting was a little different this year. This homecoming wasn't surrounded with the usual chaos of other spouses and family members anxiously waiting for their loved one's to de-plane or step off a ship. It wasn't filled with banners and homemade signs made with love, waving everywhere, or photographers clicking away. COVID-19 took that all away. However, the beauty of it all is that plans can always change, but there is always a way to celebrate!

J decided that her homecoming was going to be done at their home. She even ordered a banner to put up on their back fence. Different location, but the excitement was still roaring! There were lots of anticipation and emotions present with J that morning. It probably didn't help that P's flight was delayed, his release was pushed back, and his bags were misplaced, but who was keeping track??? Lol. That's just another day in the military :)

Another difference with this deployment... it was first deployment that J & P experienced as a family. P left when lil man was just 1 month old, and now he's 7 months. I had to hold back tears while capturing this homecoming because it was such a beautiful moment with this family- their reunion was too cute! It was an experience that lasted all of 20 minutes, but it really felt like time froze just for them. I'm so thankful to have been a part of it, and I look forward to being a part of many more.

Rachelle is an Oahu-based photographer for the fun and adventurous individual, family and couple. Click here to request detailed pricing and availability.