Rally Point

Flying Leatherneck Museum Session

admin — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:38:18 +0000

This lovely 1940′s themed Marine Corps session comes to us from “A Beautiful Moment” Photography by Megan! Here are a few words about the shoot…

As the wife of a Marine, I love any photo session having a military theme. Homecomings, kiddos…anything really! A few weeks ago a very good friend contacted me with a very unique request. They were getting ready to PCS in a few weeks, and wanted to get a few photos done with a sort of vintage, military, 1940′s style going on. Of course I was excited. I began to think of locations, props, poses, and all of the fun stuff that would come with this shoot. The location became the hardest piece of the puzzle. We are located in San Diego, CA, and have numerous museums, military bases, and random airplane displays to choose from. Originally we decided on a little railroad park. We thought it may seem like she was “sending him off” I liked the idea, but it didn’t give me that “YES” feeling, so I started to think. Near MCAS Miramar, there is the Flying Leatherneck Museum. It is filled with jets, helicopters, and old planes. I knew this was the place. We coordinated with the museum curator, and set a date. They fell right into the {roll they were playing}. It was amazing…the love, the timeless emotions. I felt like we were back in time….sending this Marine off to war.

USMC Newly Weds

admin — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 21:03:39 +0000

This session comes to us from Haley Nicole Photography! Here are a few words from her about the photo shoot…

Meet Kelsey and Matthew. Matthew is currently enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Kelsey is a new co-worker of mine. This young, sweet, and NEWLY-WED couple spent the evening with me to share some memories. We laughed and we joked the ENTIRE time. Honestly, one of the best sessions I have had in a LONG time. Kelsey told me that they never had any kind of professional portraits made and when she found out that i was a photographer, I watched her face light up and she immediately insisted that they book a session with me. So here we were on a Friday evening running around the downtown area of Jacksonville, NC looking for the best locations to shoot in. Needless to say, it was quite the adventure.

The USS Yorktown Vintage Inspired Shoot

admin — Tue, 28 May 2013 17:16:05 +0000

This lovely USS Yorktown Vintage Inspired photo shoot comes to us from the very talented Sonya Ruth Photography! Here are a few words about the shoot…

Karynne and Josh contacted me to do this Military Inspired Vintage shoot, which is something I absolutely love doing! They both come from military families and Josh is currently serving in the military as well. Karynne wanted to bring out their love and romance but most of all wanted to ”capture the raw proud emotion” that most of us military wives carry. They wanted to have these photos taken to symbolize the start of their military adventure. It was a goal of hers to have a photo next to both her parents and grandparents who both had photographs that embodied the romance while both serving in the military. These were taken in Charleston, SC on the USS Yorktown.

Daddy & Daughter USMC Tea Party

admin — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:01:21 +0000

This sweet USMC Daddy & Daughter Tea Party comes to us from Kelly Edylene photography! Here are a few words about the photo shoot!

This session makes me so happy. I have been planning this session since we found out that our 3rd baby would be a little girl. I’ve photographed a tea party session before with a Daddy and daughter, but with this one being my own husband and daughter it takes on a whole new meaning for me. This session was so much fun to capture because our daughter loves tea party’s which made it super easy to get lots of great images. I love the bond that these two have and these are photos that we will treasure forever. We are a very proud Marine Corps family and hopefully that shines through in the images.

An Air Force Love Story

admin — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:13:50 +0000

This Army photo shoot comes to us from Kaitlin Noel Photography! Here is the love story between Matt & Nicole, told by Nicole in her own words.

Matt and I met about 6 yrs ago. He was living at home and I was dating someone at the time. When I first met him, I thought ” wow he’s tall, handsome, and has an adorable smile. We didn’t really hang with the same crowd but about 3 yrs later we crossed paths again one night in wildwood. We exchanged hello and how are you’s and went on our way. About a month later I saw him on Facebook and we started talking about catching up and getting together . A few days later I ended up in the emergency room. I got a phone call from matt around 11pm asking me to come out and meet him and some friends who were out for a bachelor party. I explained to him that I was in the ER and wouldn’t be able to make it out. About 20 min later as my mom and I were waiting for the dr to come in, this tall handsome guy poked his head around the curtain. It was Matthew! He had come to check on me and make sure I was ok. After an awkward intro to my mom and making sure I didn’t need anything, he assured me he would call the next day to see how I was. We started hanging out after that and ended up dating. He discovered I was a hopeless romantic and after a long night at the Cview waitressing , I come out to my car to find a single red rose on my windshield with a note : for the hopeless romantic.

Whooooosh , off my feet he swept me!

About the middle of sept he came to me and said ” there’s something we need to talk about.”

Great , he’s over it , he doesn’t want to see me anymore” every thought possible ran through my head except for what he was actually going to tell me.

” I have to go over seas for a few months”……….

My heart stopped , what do I do with this? So we sat down and talked about it . I understood he had no choice, he was leaving in 3 wks!

We continued to see each other and get to know each other. Finally it came , Oct 7 ,2011. A day I never thought I would have to face. So up to AC Airforce base we went, bags packed hands held tightly. After a long day of briefings for him and lots of thinking for me, he was off. In the air and over to Afghanistan . A few days of not being able to talk, then a random email here and there with updates of his traveling, made it a reality. With a support system like you would not believe, his family pulled me in and held tight. Including me in every birthday, holiday and dinner. It wasn’t easy and my heart would jump at any ring from my phone. Most conversation was through computer and my inbox was on over load from emails from Matthew .at least one a day once he got there and was able to get Internet. Not every base had the Internet , so I would sleep many nights with my phone under my pillow in case he got a chance to make a phone call. With a 9 hour time difference , you talk when you can. Thanks giving, Christmas and New Years came and went and his family and I grew closer. Finally February had arrived and my heart raced every single day waiting for the phone call he was coming home. Phone rings ” hello,? Hey I have some bad news.” There it was , my heart sank. They were short on mechanics and needed some guys to stay. Matthew the man that he is , stayed for his country , his men , and for his commitment he made to the military. So February came and went, March came and went, trying to keep busy and making time pass was difficult. April 20, 2012 I wake up to a missed phone call at 3am from Matthew. My mind is racing, what’s wrong? What happened? Is he staying longer? Finally he called back. After talking and making sure he was ok, he asks:

“What are your plans for today?” I was going to a christening and the lunch with my friends.

He says I need you to do me a favor….. Sure whatcha need? I need you to come pick me up from Atlantic city!!!!!!!!! Wait ! What !? Seriously?!

Finally, he was calling from Texas and would be in AC by 2 pm!

Never had I experienced such a rush of emotions. Changed jumped in the car and up the road with his family.

We get there, walk through the door and into the conference room. 2 minutes later here they come through the door. The men and women who have been away , committed to fighting for our country……..and my MATTHEW! Arms wrapped tightly around his neck, nose to nose, smiling. Happy, nervous, anxious, all at once. WHOOAAAAA ITs a lot, but it feels great. Finally on our way home with a welcome wagon of police cars , EMT, fire trucks , about a mile long behind us, escorting us home. I have never been more proud of anyone in my life.

Matthew is amazing and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t worry about him going over again, but that makes me focus more on the time we spend together. I wouldn’t trade anything in the world for him. He stole my heart and swept me off my feet.

Air Force Homecoming

admin — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:58:37 +0000

This US Air Force Homecoming photo shoot comes to us from Dina Farmer Photography! Here are a few words about the day…

I was very lucky to photograph this homecoming! The date for the return was jumping all over the place so we were all very nervous that I wouldn’t be able to do it. Thankfully he came home sooner than expected and we were able to do the session. She was beyond nervous and excited to have him home, tears started falling even before the plane landed. Which I found to be so sweet and loving. When the plane finally landed the crowed rushed out on the flight line and the couple struggled to find each other. When we all finally managed to find him it was the sweetest and most emotional wordless moment I’ve ever felt in my life. They didn’t even have to talk to each other to convey the love and devotion they had for each other. I also found out from the Airman that he will be asking her to marry him while on his R&R time. I’m excited to hear from them about that! It was such a emotional and wonderful day!

USMC Ball Photo Shoot

admin — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:34:15 +0000

This beautiful USMC Ball Photo Shoot comes to us from Jennifer Blake Photography! Here are a few words about the shoot…

This is Brooke and Bret. They are high school sweethearts, and have been together for eight years. These photos were taken before their 3rd Marine Corps ball together, and before he deployed. They are such a sweet couple and one of my favorite couples that i’ve photographed!

USMC Helicopter Engagement

admin — Sat, 04 May 2013 16:12:47 +0000

Today we are featuring another amazing shoot from the superb photographer, Jackie Wonders! Here are a few words from her about this awesome engagement shoot!

I had an incredibly fun time getting to shoot this session for Brian & Sara. Brian had left for a 3rd deployment (since they’ve been dating) right after I had initially met with them about their wedding, and had just returned shortly before this shoot. So, needless to say when I asked for some affection during the shoot, it wasn’t hard to get it out of them! My personally favorite part of the shoot was being in the helicopter hanger. This was close to Brian & Sara’s heart because this is where Brian works everyday, when he isn’t on deployment, helping to protect our country. He makes sure his team has those Helicopters in mint condition! I’m so excited for what is sure to be a fun wedding in September!

A First Homecoming

admin — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:52:15 +0000

This homecoming comes to us from Angels Ink Photography! Here are a few words from Tasha about her husbands homecoming!

This being our first deployment, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Saying good-bye was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I knew this deployment wasn’t going to be easy but I told myself I would make the best of it. I needed to stay strong and keep things together at home so my husband wouldn’t have to worry, and he could stay focused on his missions. 8 months flew by! Before I knew it was time to get cleaning! Of course everything needed to be perfect, even though he didn’t even notice how clean everything was! The night before Michael’s homecoming I was restless. I was so excited I couldn’t sleep. I kept Daisy up with me. She couldn’t wait to see her daddy either.

The long awaiting day had finally arrived! I was up hours early to make sure everything about Daisy and I were perfect; hair, makeup, outfit, collar, and leash. And of course we were running about 5 minutes late. But still, early for Michael’s return. As Daisy and I were driving to 41 Area I looked to my left and saw the three ships out in the ocean. Talk about butterflies! We arrive, I get daisy her food and water and I do some finishing touches to myself. Trying to keep Daisy under control was a challenge. Every man she saw in uniform, I swear she thought was her daddy.

We finally got word that the guys were off the boat and headed to greet their loved ones. Major butterflies! They drive past us, unload their vehicle’s, and all of a sudden they are walking towards us! My heart dropped. I couldn’t believe Michael was only feet away from me. I ran to greet him with open arms. Never, ever has a hug and kiss felt so good. I didn’t want to let go of him but Daisy needed to great her daddy too. That was the moment I had waited EIGHT months for! All the nights spent alone, tears that were shed and weeks without communication was all worth it for that one special moment.

Tasha Heasley

Military Newborn Photography

admin — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 23:21:58 +0000

This adorable newborn session of this sweet little lady comes to us from Paisley Studios!