I've Waiting My Whole Life to Meet You Daddy! | Norfolk Navy Homecoming Photographer

May 15, 2015 Latanya McCoy

It all started with an email from my fellow homecoming photographer friend, Tricia of Teal Tree Studios. As homecoming photographer, we all know that the date we're initially provided at first contact with a client is not set in stone. Dates in the military are NEVER set in stone! Well, Tricia emailed me asking if I could take on her homecoming client due to the new time and date conflicting with a personal matter. As I have been shooting homecomings for the past six years, I absolutely LOVE shooting them, so I couldn't say no! I then received an email from Sarah to touch bases about the date and tentative time. And of course, as expected, the time changed. Again. But let me tell you, I am glad the time changed! The warmth of the sun setting as the friends and families of the sailors aboard the USS Mitscher provided the perfect backdrop.

Sarah mentioned that this is the first time in 16 years that she will have a photographer present at a homecoming. But this was a special occasion. Baby Mia was born while daddy was deployed. The first meeting between daddy and baby NEEDED to be documented! And boy, the feels. Seeing daddy holding his baby girl for the first time gave me goosebumps. And yes, teary eyes. Thank you Sarah and family for allowing me to capture your special day.

Welcome home to Randy and his fellow Mitscher crew!

Coming Home at the Right Time | Norfolk Homecoming Photographer

January 25, 2015 Latanya McCoy

Dani was due to give birth to her and David's third child, and papa was on his way home. And boy, did he coming home at the right time! Just a few days after coming home, their daughter LaLune was born! And I must say, she is absolutely adorable!

But back to the homecoming story. Dani contacted me to capture her family's reunion at Norfolk International Airport. I can never turn down a homecoming, so I definitely said yes. We met up around 745am, with a Starbucks in my hand. Her adorable sons, Theo and Maxx kept each other occupied while we patiently waited for their papa to return. From finding a garden maze, to sharpening their spidey senses, to coloring in a coloring book they got from an airport volunteer, they kept it cool until the saw their papa. The minute they saw their papa, they immediately took off. Thank you Dani, David, Theo, and Maxx for allowing me to capture your special day and WELCOME HOME David!

Welcome Home USS Bush! | Norfolk Homecoming Photographer

December 28, 2014 Latanya McCoy

It has been quite a while since I have been in attendance of a carrier homecoming. In fact, I couldn't even remember when the last ship homecoming I attended was. But being that I had not one but two friends whose loved one was returning with the Bush Carrier Strike Group, I had to be there!

It was exactly how I remember; people everywhere! But nevertheless, the emotions swirling around at homecomings definitely were high. Just as at any homecoming that I have attended, I definitely had tears in my eyes, especially knowing that both of my friends were getting their spouses back after a long nine months. Their families were whole once again.

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