OpLove Session - Jason's Homecoming

Scott_Quier

About a month ago I received a phone call from a young lady living in Maryland - her husband is assigned to the CVN 69, the USS Eisenhower and the ship was scheduled to return home after a 159 day deployment and did I have time to and would I be willing to photograph the homecoming?

As an Operation: Love Reunited photographer and after getting to know her (I ALWAYS qualify my clients before agreeing to shoot for them) and their history I bit, I was eager to say, "Yes!"

Fast forward to July 30, 2009. I got to the pier about 3 hours before the ship was due to arrive. As the Ike is a an aircraft carrier, a ship approximately 1/4 mile long, and is manned by as many as 3,000 men and women ... well getting there early was the only reasonable thing to do if I wanted to get a parking spot within 1/2 mile of the pier. Frances and family arrived about 1.5 hours later and the fun started. Frances and family were a lot of fun people - I really enjoyed getting to know them.

Oh, and BTW, the ship was scheduled to arrive at noon - and they made that milestone (as they usually do). So, because the sky was cloudless, I had an interesting time with the harsh sunlight and NO shade to be found. I was, partially, saved by my 580EX.

1. Mother/wife and child wait for the ship to arrive home.


2. The ship rounding the corner with only a small portion of the compliment manning the rail - what a sight!


3. Where are you? Are you off the ship yet?


4. The ship made a stopover in Florida to pick up some passengers for what is called a Tiger Cruise. These passengers are usually family members. Here we have our sailor, his sister and Frances' sister (don't ask me which is which). Of course, spouses are not allowed on these Tiger Cruises - for obvious reasons. :wink


5. Just before the first embrace/kiss. The sun caught the tear at the corner of her eye and created a small aperture induced star.


6. Proud father ... hasn't seen son since the little guy was just a bit over a month old.


7. Believe it not, these are some of his first steps. He only started walking about a week before this was taken.


8. Going home ... as family. When I took this, I was hoping that I could get a true silhouette, but there was just too much light bouncing from surrounding concrete. I think it still works.


:soapbox If doing something like this is even remotely interesting, take a look at the OpLove link above or drop me a PM (or phone call - phone number is on my website which linked in my signature). If done for the right reasons, this can be a truely uplifting experience. I can only afford to do one per month, but I always look forward to the next event, in this case, my next one will be in the first week of September. < * /soapbox * >


The following is a statement required by DoD of OpLove photographers on any publication of OpLove photographs and if I failed to include it I could loose my privilege to shoot these events:

The photographs and other content of this publication do not constitute or imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense.

Photosbychuck

Great Series

heatherfeather

Love the last 3... Especially #8! And #7!

I bet they were so happy to have photos of this really cool moment!

So is someone going to come take photos when your son comes home next week? That would be cool payback!

Richard

Great series, Scott. I'm sure they will treasure these photos. #7 is a very strong shot without even knowing the back-story. Well done. clap

Scott_Quier

heatherfeather wrote:

Love the last 3... Especially #8! And #7!

I bet they were so happy to have photos of this really cool moment!

So is someone going to come take photos when your son comes home next week? That would be cool payback!

Thanks Heather - they were a very cool family to work for.

As for Matt - I checked with my Boss (my DW) and she asked that I NOT get someone to do this for us. Turns out that this was for the best - we know he's coming home sometime in the next week or so, but still have no idea when he's going actually hit CONUS soil. Gotta love the Army and their concept of OpSec.

Richard wrote:

Great series, Scott. I'm sure they will treasure these photos. #7 is a very strong shot without even knowing the back-story. Well done. clap

Thanks Richard - I kinda like that one as well!

adbsgicom

Amazing series. Nice work!

kyeezie

I would love to do this ( come from a big military family) but I cry every time I see your pictures from them, I don't think I could handle it. These are great!

Scott_Quier

kyeezie wrote:

I would love to do this ( come from a big military family) but I cry every time I see your pictures from them, I don't think I could handle it. These are great!

This is maybe the best compliment I have ever received for my OpLove work.

I would, however, encourage you to look into it a bit. You may find that working one of these is a healing rather than otherwise. Just the thought of doing something for these troops .... well, there's just nothing like it. So, think about it and, if you have any questions ... well, you know where to find me.

kyeezie

Scott_Quier wrote:

This is maybe the best compliment I have ever received for my OpLove work.

I would, however, encourage you to look into it a bit. You may find that working one of these is a healing rather than otherwise. Just the thought of doing something for these troops .... well, there's just nothing like it. So, think about it and, if you have any questions ... well, you know where to find me.

I will look into it. I went on their website today, but again starting crying. I'm a blubber bay. Have you guys seen that commercial where the military people are walking through the airport, and everyone starts clapping?? :cry

But you are right, there is not much we can do for them, and we do owe them a a lot. Once I have my website done from under construction I will apply. Scott, could you post pictures from the last ones you have done? Also, do you have to have a certain years of experience or anything? I saw that you have to have a website and a tax number, but anything else??

Scott_Quier

kyeezie wrote:

I will look into it. I went on their website today, but again starting crying. I'm a blubber bay. Have you guys seen that commercial where the military people are walking through the airport, and everyone starts clapping?? :cry

But you are right, there is not much we can do for them, and we do owe them a a lot. Once I have my website done from under construction I will apply. Scott, could you post pictures from the last ones you have done? Also, do you have to have a certain years of experience or anything? I saw that you have to have a website and a tax number, but anything else??

Yes, I've seen it. The first time through it brought serious tears to my eyes and this was before my son was deployed to Iraq.

• Ross' Homecoming
• There's a slide show here - USS Vella Gulf
• And a series of photos here - Bryan's Homecoming

Years of experience is asked for on the application, but I don't think it's important .... either that or there's a few people I know who lied on their application. I think it the quality of work that is most significant. Pretty much, if you have some clue about how to point the camera and get decent exposures, you're covered.

As for what you need - The application spells it out pretty well:

• Do you have a professional website and/or blog?
• Are you willing to waive session fees for these clients? Remeber, you provide the time free - time at the homecoming, the deployement portrait session, and/or the mid-deployement portrait session. That time is all on you.
• Do you print with a professional lab and are you able to produce 4x6 albums of images to send to the deployed military member? The cost of the album(s) are on you. There are many alternatives, some are of more the good quality for a very reasonable price.
• As a professional phogotrapher, are you able to provide a valid tax ID number? I don't know why they include this one, I don't remember providing this information in my application - but its been a while.
• Do you use either an SLR or DSLR? I guess no P&S cameras allowed

Getting the EIN is easy; look to this page for all the answers and the applications. You can submit your application on-line and get the EIN "instantly". Pretty cool - wasn't quite that easy when I did it.

jeffreaux2

Scott I again applaud you for your commitment to our servicemen and their families.


...and....

Like Heather, I am anxiously awaiting word on your son's return. Keep us posted...please.

divamum

jeffreaux2 wrote:

Scott I again applaud you for your commitment to our servicemen and their families.


...and....

Like Heather, I am anxiously awaiting word on your son's return. Keep us posted...please.

+1 Keep us posted!

I always look forward to your OpLove shoots, Scott - I think it's a wonderful program idea, and applaud those of you who are involved. Bravo!

Scott_Quier

jeffreaux2 wrote:

Scott I again applaud you for your commitment to our servicemen and their families. <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/thumb.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >


...and....

Like Heather, I am anxiously awaiting word on your son's return. Keep us posted...please.<img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/mwink.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >

divamum wrote:

+1 Keep us posted!

I always look forward to your OpLove shoots, Scott - I think it's a wonderful program idea, and applaud those of you who are involved. Bravo!

I have personal reasons (rooted in my experiences while in uniform) for my committment to our service members (gotta remember, there are servicewomen as well ):
:soapbox

• I grew up on the tail end of the Viet Nam era and witnessed (continue to witness) the treatment these brave people suffered upon their return to the US - tragic and a national disgrace.
• It really rocks your world view (and not in a good way) to be approached by and spate upon by a complete stranger - for the sole reason that you are in military uniform (happend to me in 1979 or 1980).
• I've know someone who, while serving as a pall bearer for his mother and while in uniform, was spat upon by a passer-by.

<* soapbox */>

One of my motivations in participating - I want to do what I can to ensure that our deploying, deployed, and returning service members (Air Force, Army, Marine, Navy, and Coast Guard) understand that there is at least one person (me <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/mwink.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >) who appreciates the sacrifices they and their families make and that I consider them to heros.

As for Matthew's return - I am warmed by your continued interest. It's nice to have friends! The last we heard was that he was thinking he would be landing CONUS by 16 Aug. We haven't heard from him in about 3 weeks. I expect a phone call any time now. When we hear, the DW and I will be dropping everything (I've already warned my employer that this is coming) to race up the coast to Ft Dix, NJ. Pictures will be posted (of course, I'll taking a camera or two with me <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/deal.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >).

Sam

Good job. Thanks for your support of those who give so much.

Sam

ront

Great job Scott. I think that it is really awesome what you all do make our military men and women's homecoming a memory that they can keep!!!!

Well Done, Ron

lisap

Such fantastic photos, Scott and such a fabulous thing to do. These are the kinds of memories that get passed down generation to generation.

Flutist

Scott

I cry when I see these photos. So sweet, and how wonderful that you as well get to share in the joy of the safe return of these men and women to their loving families!

I may cry threw the viewfinder, but if I thought for a second my skill was good enough, I would be so honored to have someone call me to take such pictures. I as well come from a military family.

I like the others cannot wait for the safe return on your son. The hair must raise up on your neck thinking about having him home. I hope that if not someone else, that you will be capturing your own....

kdog

Pretty awesome, Scott. What a wonderful thing to do, and you did a great job on it.

I'm not a pro, but I'm going to look into this for myself.

Cheers,
-joel

Scott_Quier

Sam wrote:

Good job. Thanks for your support of those who give so much.

Sam

Thanks Sam - appreciate you looking and commenting.

ront wrote:

Great job Scott. I think that it is really awesome what you all do make our military men and women's homecoming a memory that they can keep!!!!

Well Done, Ron

Thank you - That's a wonderful thought - that the family will appreciate these photos in the years to come.

lisap wrote:

Such fantastic photos, Scott and such a fabulous thing to do. These are the kinds of memories that get passed down generation to generation.

Thanks for the nice words/thoughts. That would be very nice.

Flutist wrote:

Scott

I cry when I see these photos. So sweet, and how wonderful that you as well get to share in the joy of the safe return of these men and women to their loving families!

I may cry threw the viewfinder, but if I thought for a second my skill was good enough, I would be so honored to have someone call me to take such pictures. I as well come from a military family.

I like the others cannot wait for the safe return on your son. The hair must raise up on your neck thinking about having him home. I hope that if not someone else, that you will be capturing your own....

Thank you for that huge compliement (though I think the 9 bows might be a little over the top ).

As for you and your skills ..... After looking at your galleries, I KNOW you are just fishing for compliments so here you go -->

Your gallery My Day with Trevlan tends to show that you do, indeed, have the goods. And your Campbell/O'Neill Family tends to support that assumption.

At the very worst, you may need a bit more practice with outdoor flash - can't really tell from your galleries but that's pretty easy to pick up.

Scott_Quier

kdog wrote:

Pretty awesome, Scott. What a wonderful thing to do, and you did a great job on it.

I'm not a pro, but I'm going to look into this for myself.

Cheers,
-joel

That's great! :ivar

Flutist

Scott_Quier wrote:

Thank you for that huge compliement (though I think the 9 bows might be a little over the top ).

As for you and your skills ..... After looking at your galleries, I KNOW you are just fishing for compliments so here you go -->

At the very worst, you may need a bit more practice with outdoor flash - can't really tell from your galleries but that's pretty easy to pick up.

absolutely no way!! never would, just happy to be here amongst so many amazing photographers.