I met Melissa at a friend’s house last year (it still throws me off that we are in 2017) and I quickly realized that she is someone special. She has to be one of the sweetest girls (yes she’s young enough to still call a girl) I have ever met. I met her son at the same time and he is such a cutie that my daughter was begging to babysit him. She finally got to watch him and they just clicked.
Brian, Melissa’s husband, was getting out of the Army and they were moving back to her home in Hawaii. What I didn’t mention is that I Melissa is a LuLaRoe fashion consultant and that is how I met her. She needed some photos for her business and it was the perfect time to get family photos done as well. Melissa’s only request was that Brian wear his uniform one last time.
We lucked out that the day we were able to get out was beautiful. We had such a good time and I spent most of the time in denial that they were moving. Since we were limited on time we stuck close and did the entire session at the Fort Bliss Replica and Noel Field. Liam had just woken up from a nap so we had to get him comfortable with the camera suddenly in his face.
I tried to get a couple of shots of Melissa and I got one before Liam came back to get in the shot. I ended up only getting one but I’ll take it because you can’t say no to that cute little face.
Such a cute family.
My favorite family photo is on my Facebook Page. We headed over to a different area to get some shots of Melissa and Brian but they were photo bombed.
Whew! I made it.
Golden hour was starting so we headed across to Noel Field to take advantage of the open space and amazing light.
How gorgeous is this?!
R U N ! !
Oh, the energy.
I’ll get him!
Success.
Mom’s turn.
Liam and his daddy went off to run and play while I took a few of just Melissa.
Love her laugh.
It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.
Liam soon realized that the houses around us looked like mine so Karina must be near. He kept asking for her so I made a quick phone call and told her to come out to the field. While we waited for Karina and Melissa soothed Liam I got a couple of Brian.
I don’t normally add someone who isn’t part of the family into the images but this has to be shared because it was so stinking cute. I saw Karina walking towards us so I told her to run. Liam was given the okay to go to her and her did.
It was all about the boo boo.
Now that I had help I could get some shots of just Melissa and Brian. The golden light was gone but it’s still pretty awesome in the desert. They were pretty easy to photograph but after a bit I lost Brian and knew that it was time to stop.
Up to no good.
Melissa did ask me for one pose that was reminiscent of when he returned from a deployment. I was happy to make it happen.
I have no idea what he said.
Yep, he’s done.
I turned around and had to get one last shot of Liam running around playing because the light was done and it was time to go.
SaySaying bye-bye to his buddy. So cute.
Melissa, I truly wish I had met you sooner. You have a heart of gold and know that you will go far with your business. I hope that you all enjoy this new chapter in your lives and am so thankful for social media and the ability to stay connected. Enjoy your family and that precious little boy. I hope you will remember your time at Fort Bliss as happy and rewarding.
“It’s not what
we have in life,
but who we
have in our life
that matters.”
Melinda Lanier - I love this family, and your post made me cry! These photos are gorgeous!