San Diego Blog Stories
Within this blog you will find everything from Funeral planning for Veterans to Newborn photography. While we capture many events and share as much information as possible, our main goal is to serve others. We currently do that by providing information and curating things that are needed, primarily for our Military community in Southern California.
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First Marine to ever hold these two titles!!
When a Marine needs to pick their “B” Billet, they usually pick between Drill Instructor and Recruiter Duty. Of course, there are pros and cons to both… Few pick BOTH. That’s the case for Gunnery Sergeant Jose Flores. He has served as both a recruiter on the east coast and Drill Instructor on the west coast. Where the real anomaly lies is he has received BOTH Recruiter of the Year (2014) AND Drill Instructor of the Year (2021).
Jose Flores enlisted at the age of 17 in 2008 and has had an incredible career. He is currently service as the the Recruit Training Regiment drill master, (prior Fox Company DI) and also received his Doctorate Degree from Grand Canyon University in Organizational Leadership.
5 Reasons why you should get an airport homecoming photographer
Do you feel robbed of a typical post deployment homecoming experience because your spouse or significant other was selected to fly off the ship early?? Did you have a difficult birth or high risk pregnancy and need your SO home? Perhaps they were injured or came home due to unfortunate circumstances? Don’t worry! You, too, can have a beautiful homecoming experience that can be even more special than meeting on the flight line or deck of the ship.
Here are 5 reasons you should consider hiring a photographer for your airport homecoming.
HMH-466 | Marine Homecoming | MCAS Miramar | Lopez Family
Long Awaited Return for Repeat Client
I photographed Lopez’ graduation from bootcamp at MCRD San Diego 2 years ago so I felt privileged to photograph his first ever deployment homecoming with HMH-466 at MCAS Miramar.
The Squadron Lopez is a part of is the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 (HMH-466), the “Wolfpack.” It is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-53E Super Stallion transport helicopters. It is based out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW).
LHD 2 USS Essex Homecoming | 32nd Street Naval Base San Diego, CA
Rainy Day Navy Homecoming
Nothing would dampen the special homecoming about to take place for this couple. Rain or Shine, she was getting her man back that day! And she did; she took him home and was very happy. Did it rain at your homecoming?
Are you looking for a homecoming dress this one? Check out our Amazon suggestion store to find dresses or outfits that complement military uniforms or check out our free Outfit Guides for any and every uniform you can imagine.
ECHO Co MCRD Graduation Day 03.11.22
Here are amazing families of the nation’s newest Marines. I met up with these folks at Liberty Station, formerly known as the Naval Training Center San Diego, which welcomed its first Navy recruits in 1923 and closed after 60 years. Liberty Station is now San Diego's Town Square and perfectly replicates Marine Corps Recruit Depots architecture.
LIMA Co MCRD Family Day 02.24.22
272 Marines celebrating family day, 24 February 2022, with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, CA, and join over a million other Marines in an amazing legacy!
I am SO blessed to be able to do this for YOUR families; my heart truly lies here, serving you in a different way.
MCRD Bootcamp intro for new recruit families
When your son, daughter, brother, sister, or significant other sets out to stand on those yellow footprints of MCRD Parris Island or San Diego, it can be confusing to get caught up in the military lingo. This momentous occasion mostly seems like hectic confusion and a whole lot of yelling for them as well! Here are the top 10 things you should know to be informed about your recruit’s time in Bootcamp.
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, CA | VMFA 225 Fly-in Homecoming | Smith Family
Epic fly-in homecoming photos from MCAS Miramar by Morning Owl Fine Art Photography San Diego, CA. Burnt orange and rust sweaters go perfectly with Marine corps Camis for photos!
Military Homecomings | USS Hampton SSN 767 | Point Loma Submarine Base
Harley McCracken contacted me looking for a photographer for her FIRST homecoming with her husband with USS Hampton. They originally met in Virginia and moved to San Diego, CA for their next duty station. Sadly, Harley had an emergency surgery RIGHT before their homecoming; doesn’t she look great!? Great energy and laughter as we waited for her hubby to be the last one off the boat. I hope you enjoy these photos!
If you are in San Diego and your loved one is about to leave, has already left, will be coming home soon BOOK A PHOTOGRAPHER! If not me, then someone, please! You will not regret it at all. To inquire about any ships, fly-ins, or even at The San Diego International Airport, contact me!
MCRD San Diego, CA | India CO Graduation Day | Rainy Day | First Cancellation
COVID-19 Cancels Marine Boot Camp Graduations MCRD San Diego, CA.
Families were excited and ready to see their new marine until 9 am when it was announced all events were canceled, so was graduation, and to leave base immediately! NO ONE expected this; morale plummeted.