Alaqua Open House

Saturday I was out at the Alaqua Open House. It was a very nice event and I hope they raked in a lot of good donations. Alaqua has so many animals and it cost them so much to operate each day ($1,000/day) any support is always greatly appreciated. There was lots going on and I had my own booth set up (a photo booth) where we did mini 10 minute sessions and also held a raffle for a photo shoot. It was great to be out there and meeting people while also helping Alaqua. We had some awesome people get pictures done and had a blast doing it :)

Below was my first up. She volunteers her time with the cats regularly. She comes out with her dad and they clean the cat house and give all the kitties some love :) I loved talking with her dad and he loves his daughter so much it was very sweet to hear him talk about her.



The little boy below was next. He was SO cute! Love his blue eyes. He was full of silliness and lots of fun to work with. Definitely a little daredevil. I asked him what his favorite thing to do was and he said, "Race dirt bikes and do back flips!" He will be a wild boy for sure!



Next up was a pup :) He was actually reunited with his brother right in front of my booth. So sweet!



More boys next. Typical brothers who refuse to get too close ;) They were lots of fun though and I somehow was able to make them laugh and get some good smiles!



Last round was a sweet young family. They caught me right as I was packing out. There was just enough light left to capture their sweetness :) Gotta love the chubby cheeks! That was my day at Alaqua! Definitely excited about the people I met and getting new clients! I will be settled here with my business in no time :) Thank you everyone who came to the Open House and visited my booth!

Kevin Kesler Retirement

25 years. 25 years is a long time to be in the military. It's not an easy life to live. Picking up and moving every couple of years can be pretty rough on kids and spouses. So much time apart from your spouse. So much time away from your children. The military life is not easy. I realize it is a choice and no one is forced to be in the military, but regardless of that I give MAJOR kudos to those families who have survived 25+ years with the military, because that is what it is, surviving. Kudos to the spouses. Kudos to the children. Kudos to the spouses who are essentially single parents. KUDOS to the military people. Kevin and Priscilla, thank you for allowing me to photograph this huge step in your lives. It's an enormous change to a new chapter of your lives. Almost like starting a whole new book really. Enjoy it.

This was my first retirement ceremony. I had never even attended one before this. I loved it. The traditions, the honor, the pride. It was great. I feel like America doesn't have many traditions. We are not as old as so many other countries, and we are also the melting pot of the world. In the military though, that is where you will find all the traditions. I LOVE the shots below. You can see the emotion, the tradition, the pride and honor. The look on Priscilla's face says it all. I don't really have words for it, I just love it.