I am constantly reminded as to just how small the Army really is when I am brought back to people I never thought I would see again. When I went to a holiday concert a year ago at my daughter’s school I was walking past the bleachers in the gym when I heard someone call my name. I looked up and I saw a face I hadn’t seen in 5 years.
While we were stationed at Fort Hood and I was still learning, I would photograph my son’s PeeWee football games as practice. This is how I met Regina. Her son played on one of the teams and she approached me about photographing her husband’s welcome home ceremony. I agreed and as I look back I can’t believe how much the kids have grown.
Their daughter and my daughter are great friends and were on the 7th grade volleyball team together. Now, they are playing soccer for the school. They didn’t know each other then but are now together often. I just love the connections made with the Army life. Thanks to technology I know they will continue on with their friendship.
Regina found out that they will be moving this summer and wanted to get some family photos done to have memories of Fort Bliss. Since all three kids were on a sports team she wanted to get shots of them in their uniform tops.
I can’t begin to tell you how much fun I had with this family. There was laughter, running, more laughter, falling, more laughter, hugs, more laughter, and a lot of love. They definitely know how to make the most of their time together. Enjoy their photo journey and I bet you will have a smile on your face the entire time.
I always start out with basics to get kids comfortable with me and the camera. Sometimes, it helps with the adults as well. Regina had one image she knew she wanted and it was of all of them together with their jersey numbers showing. Done!
Definitely not the same kids from the first image.
I went ahead and decided to go for individual images of the kids but catching Aaron was not as easy as the big kids so I got him with his prized possessions, his trophy and soccer ball.
Rene and Alixys were much easier and I was even able to get a smile out of Rene.
Next up was some family time. This is when things got interesting and all the laughter ensued.
It seems that the direction I gave them needed to be discussed for a bit.
That almost worked.
Much better.
I told them to talk to one another and Alixys talked to me instead.
Then this happened.
Time to refocus and try again. Lets run this time. I know it sounds like it might cause chaos but it didn’t? Okay, maybe a little.
Yep, that went well.
I decided to try a different technique but everything turns into a competition and they just want to knock each other down. Somehow, spread out and then quickly come together meant push against everyone. A lot of leaning coming up. My favorite is on my page located here.
The other side is fighting back now.
This was a miss.
My daughter and two other friends were on the field with us so I decided to let the kids go off and play while I grabbed a few shots of the lovebirds. You’ll quickly see why I went with lovebirds.
The golden hour was the perfect time for these two.
“You put your arms around me and I’m home.”
I wonder what he’s telling her.
Maybe we don’t need to know.
This didn’t last long as the photo bombing children returned. They were ready for more family time and I posted my favorite image of Regina’s determination to kiss on my Facebook page.
The surprise attack led to this…
which quickly went downhill…
Apparently, she doesn’t like to be attacked by her kids.
They broke her down.
This is when I lost what little control I had.
I was able to get a couple more of just the kids but they were pretty much done.
Thank you Garcia family for a fun filled afternoon. I’m so glad you saw me in that gymnasium and truly thankful for the friendship the girls started. I’m sad that you are leaving but the Army is funny and we could easily meet up again. I hope that you enjoyed looking back on this day and even laughed a little remembering the chaos and laughter. Yes, Karina’s volleyball is still up on the pavilion from when they were playing as I took your photos but it was worth it.
Family
The ones
You live with
Laugh with
and Love
