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Welcome Home Lt Meek! {Los Angeles Photographer}

I have the honor of being part of Welcome Them Home, an organization that provides military homecoming photo coverage to families welcoming home a service member from deployment.  You may not know this, but I am a graduate of the Air Force Academy and served 5 years in the Air Force.  I no longer wear the uniform, but the military is still very much a part of my life — my husband is still proudly serving in the Air Force!

So, when I heard about Welcome Them Home, I just had to get involved!

And last week, I had my first assignment, covering the homecoming of Army Lt. Meek.  The California Guard 756 returned from a 1-year deployment from Afghanistan, arriving at Los Alamitos Airfield on sunny Wednesday morning.  They arrived on two planes, just minutes apart to a crowd of excited family and friends!

Everyone has a story and Lt. Meek’s is a great one!  After a full career in another field, he fulfilled a life-long dream to join the Army.  And then one year ago, he got a call to ship out just 2-weeks before having to report for a 1-year tour in Afghanistan.  This glorious morning his wife, 2 grown daughters, teenage son and numerous friends were there to welcome him home.

The first plane arrived with about half of the unit, eagerly welcomed home.

And the next plane (which carried Lt. Meek) arrived not long after.  And just as his wife predicted, he would be the last one off, letting all of his troops exit first.

And to make his story even more touching, he brought a new friend home, Zina.  Zina is a military working dog that sustained some severe, life threatening injuries on her tour of duty.  Lt. Meek saved her from being put to sleep and she became his companion for the last 4 months in country.  She comes home now, healed, and a new member of their family!

You can enjoy a slide show with coverage of the entire event here:

If you have a loved-one returning from a deployment to the Los Angeles area, please get in touch!  Even if my schedule can’t support coverage, there are numerous photographers eager to provide is free service.  Check the Welcome Them Home site for a full list!  And if you’re a photographer who would like to get involved, please see the website also!

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Hello Again {Los Angeles Family Photographer}

I’ve had the privilege of photographing this beautiful family several times in the last few years — and it’s families like theirs that keep me coming back to Bozeman again and again.  I just pinch myself sometimes when I think about all of the amazing clients I have!  I mean, look at them, just amazing, I tell you!

These two girls are the same ages as my two boys, so it’s especially fun to see a glimpse of what my life might have been like with daughters.  It looks like it would have been pretty darn sweet. :-)

I’ll wrap up with one final family shot, set in one of my favorite settings in Bozeman.  It’s sure hard to beat this!

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Splash! {Los Angeles Family Photographer}

When I was coordinating my travel sessions for Bozeman, Montana, this fabulous client said she was thinking of doing something a little different — something with water.  I was immediately excited and my brain raced to lots of different options — backyard sprinklers, a pool, a creek, lake or perhaps the splash park.  Immediately she said the Splash Park would be great.  So that’s where we headed!

Before stripping down to bathing suits, I got a few pictures the kids all dressed up. . .

And then the wet and wild fun started!

Thankfully I had a long lens so I could stay out of splash zone, but these two didn’t shy away from the water.  This was easily the most fun I’ve had at a session in a long time!

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10 on 10: Montana Hiking {Los Angeles Photographer}

A few weeks ago my family returned to Bozeman, Montana for a visit.  We saw good friends and relished in the beautiful Montana country-side, soaking in as much as we could to take back to L.A. with us.  One morning, we took a short drive up to Hyalite for a hike to Grotto Falls.  With our two boys (ages 3 and 5), our 5-year-old’s best friend, and another family of three (with a 1-year-old baby), we couldn’t do anything too extreme.  Thankfully, Hyalite offers trails for all!

After driving up the canyon, you’re first greeted with a view of Hyalite Resevoir, which never disappoints!

We drove around the north side of the reservoir to reach the trail head for Hyalite Peak.  We have yet to make the entire 7 mile hike to the Peak, which follows a creek past no less than 8 gorgeous water falls, but thankfully, you don’t have to hike far to reach the first set of falls — Grotto Falls.  This beautiful spot is only a little more than 1 mile from the trail head!  So we set off on the trail toward our destination. . .

We had happy little hikers and when we got to the Falls, we had the place to ourselves (I love Montana!)!

And thanks to our friends, we actually have a family picture (including me!) at our spot.  Yay!

The aptly named Grotto Falls, has such interesting color and texture in the rocks.  With the sun creating light areas, the shadows, and the glistening, dripping water, it’s such a pretty scene.

The little boys weren’t quite as mesmerized by the pretty sights as me, they were more interested in working on their rock throwing skills!

And rock scrambling skills. . .

On the hike back down, this little orange butterfly followed us along the trail, politely stopping to pose for me. :-)

After you’ve soaked up some of Montana’s beautiful summer, head on over to Milwaukee Photographer Melissa Schuett Photography  for her take on “10 on 10″ this month!

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Fly Girl Giveaway! {Los Angeles Photographer}

After the last 10 days showing off the gorgeous new line of Fly Girl Designs bags, you now have a chance to WIN one of your very own!  I have one of these fab little “On the Fly Wristlets” to give away, perfect for stashing a little cash, your ID, and your keys.

They are offered in a variety of colors and patterns, but the one I have to giveaway is a classic black and white, called granite:

Inside you’ll find a little bonus surprise, a voucher for 50% off any custom Fly Girl Bag!

 

For a chance to win this little goodie & the voucher:

1.  Visit this website to see all of the designs:  www.flygirldesigns.net

2.  Leave a comment on this blog post telling me which Fly Girl Bag is your favorite.

 

That’s it!  Comments close at 10:00 p.m. PST on Wednesday, August 1st.  A winner will be randomly drawn and notified on Thursday.  Only 1 entry per person.  Good luck!

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Anna Nelson - July 30, 2012 - 4:01 pm

My favorite FlyGirlBag is the large flight suit tote, it is original, clever and I love the recycle concept.

Laura - July 30, 2012 - 6:46 pm

Amy, I am bummed I missed you while you were here. I like the the day runner cross body bag! Does she sell these in any local stores?

Hilary - July 30, 2012 - 7:14 pm

My favorite is the large tote because I think I could combine my school/work bag with the diaper essentials!

Caity - July 30, 2012 - 7:49 pm

I already own 2 Flygirl Designs purses (Flight Suit tote and flight suit purse with leather accents) and it is literally taking every bit of my will power not to order every design! My new favorite is definitely the new flight suit purse with leather trim. Very Classy!

J.J. Killins - July 30, 2012 - 9:44 pm

I love the Slouch Purse, Amy!

Stephanie Murray - July 31, 2012 - 5:48 am

The flight suit tote….big enough to be a diaper bag and a purse, and very one of a kind.

Beth Stohlmann - July 31, 2012 - 7:30 am

My favorite is the Foldover Purse ~ since I not longer need to carry a diaper bag!! The photos you did are fabulous!

martha hernandez - July 31, 2012 - 11:26 am

my favorite is the foldover cross body bag.

great photos of all the bags! anyone would be lucky to win this giveaway.

Lauren - July 31, 2012 - 9:45 pm

Medium tote for sure!

Lee-Ann - August 1, 2012 - 2:58 pm

not sure if this applies to canadian gals like me, but i have to say the bag i already own from fly girl is AWESOME, and i often return drooling over the new stock. :)

Kristine Foster - August 1, 2012 - 3:33 pm

I like the flight suit tote. Would be a great diaper bag too.

Stephanie Sunderbruch - August 1, 2012 - 5:19 pm

Love the Leather Flight Suit Purse! I am putting that and the DSLR camera strap on my Christmas list. Hoping I win because the one you are giving away would go perfect with my dress for the Margarita Ball in November!

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