MCAS Cherry Point, NC Homecoming Photography

This amazing homecoming session was photographed by Misty Smith.  We love how she captured all the special moments between Rachael & her husband coming home from deployment.  Here is the story of the day in her own words:

I love homecomings, whether it’s my husband coming home or someone else’s they always get to me. Rachael is one of my photographer friends from New Bern so I was really excited when she asked me to travel up for her husband’s homecoming.  Homecomings are always crazy, I think out of all the homecomings I’ve participated in only one of them was actually on time with no delays. Since this one was in January and calling for snow they pushed back the homecoming which isn’t what any loved one wants to hear but Rachael kept positive. Finally the time came and we headed to base with Gracie their pug, we got to the hanger and waited with the rest of the families and friends that were there waiting on their loved ones. You can cut the anticipation with a knife, everyone knows it’s finally over and in minutes they will be back with their loved ones, emotions are running high at this point. We get word the guys are here and lining up so we head to the big doors, Rachael is right up front and ready, they open the doors up, she screams, takes off and jumps into his arms. I’m trying not to be emotional while snapping away as fast as my shutter will go, trying not to be in their way but getting all the shots I can of their reunion. After lots of hugs and kisses from Rachael, puppy kisses from Gracie and a welcome home from friends that had came, Troy goes to get his gear and they prepare to head home as a complete family. There was an American flag hanging at the end of the hanger we had come in at, so as they were walking out together hand in hand with Gracie I caught a couple of shots of them walking out with the flag, it has proven to be one of my favorite images of all time.

When shooting homecomings there is a lot to keep in mind. Homecomings are one of those events that you don’t get a second chance at shooting if things do not go right. They are very unpredictable since dates and times change all the time, my personal case one of my husband’s homecomings was pushed back almost two weeks, then once the day came it was pushed back 12 hours (or more I lost count), thankfully my best friend was photographing it for me and stayed the whole time, so be prepared for last minute changes and possibly long hours. Going along with that since you might show up thinking it’s going to be a day time homecoming but things change and it turns into a night time one, be prepared for anything gear wise, you don’t want to end up needing your flash, extra batteries ect and not have them. Also be aware of the changes in the lighting as everything is going on, you might need to change your settings as everything is going on to keep getting properly exposed photos and make sure your settings are right for the situation, you’ll want faster shutter speeds since it’ll be a lot of movement and you won’t want blurry images. My biggest advice is be ready for anything, keep shooting and keep up. No one runs faster than someone who hasn’t seen their loved one in 6+ months so be prepared to follow them so you don’t lose them in the crowd. Above all remember you’re telling this couple or family’s story of being reunited so don’t forget the details and the emotion and try to keep up.

Photography By Misty Smith