This past April, I had the incredible honor to shoot my very first military homecoming. While it was certainly a joyous occassion for the family, it was a bittersweet moment for me. I couldn't have been happier for the family, but I was fighting back tears behind the camera. My husband is currently deployed to Afghanistan and at that moment, the fact that at that time we still had months and months left before he came home hit me extremely hard. I secretly wished it was me that was greeting my husband at the airport. If that makes me a selfish person, so be it; ask any military spouse-it's a natural feeling. I put that feeling aside, however, and successfully finished this photoshoot.
Another element that added some sweetness to this occassion was how truly thankful the Dunomes were that I agreed to do this job at the last minute; the wife couldn't stop thanking me. Knowing how appreciative these people were just made me fall in love with my job even more.
People outside the military community think of homecomings as the media portrays them, but what this one was like was completely the opposite. Even I was surprised when I found out that we were picking the husband up from the airport (he was sent home early, before anyone else in his unit) rather than somewhere on base. Most people think that when our troops come home, there is a huge celebration after the families greet their soldiers, Marines, sailors, etc. But there really isn't. One the families are reunited, all they want to do is go home. Can we really blame them? I certainly can't; I know my husband will be the same way when he comes home. Once the hugs and kisses were over, the Dunomes thanked me, paid me, and we were all on our way. While the end of the photoshoot came quick, I was glad it did. After 8 months of serving overseas, the husband definitely deserved to speed home and spend time with his wife and little girl.
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