Elf on A Shelf First 5 days

I so was not going to get this Elf on A Shelf, thinking my 4 year old would not be interested in the slightest.  And I have been in such a funk mood this month, I just didn't want to be bothered.  But I am trying to work past this funk, push my photography, and just expand myself.  I really need to stop being such a hermit, because it is so easy to be one!  I made my husband go out at 7pm one night and get this Elf.

We read the story that night to our daughter and introduced her to her new Elf.  Which she named, Big Boy.  (she is obsessed with being a big girl and not a baby!).

That night, Big Boy rode a giraffe to the North Pole and back.

I'm trying to go for a super clean look with these photos.

Night 2, he went into a Lucky Charm coma after visiting Santa

Night 3, He took a snooze in the freezer with a tissue pillow and blanket. Guess he was missing the cold of the North Pole

Night 4

This time Big Boy really made my daughter mad. He was riding her small piggy bank and wearing the pig's princess crown. 

Night 5 (wow, has it really been that long already!)

Boy, my daughter was not too thrilled Big Boy was in her tub since she isn't allowed to touch him. Big Boy mackin it to the mermaid

OpLove Pre-deployments

Over the past few months, I have had the honor to photograph some great families through OpLove Pre-deployment Sessions.  These sessions are for service members that are deploying in effort of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom and their families.  The session is free and I send an album of images directly to the service member while deployed.  The goal of these sessions is to honor the service member, boost his/her morale, and say Thank You.

I have opted to show a collective few of my favorite images from some of these past sessions.  I had a lot of fun photographing these families, and am honored to have spent the time with them and their families.

All of these sessions were photographed on Camp Pendleton.

Welcome Home 2/11!

Welcome Home 2/11 Fox!  Hope you have been having fun with your family, friends, and buds!

This homecoming has been the funniest one I have had!  It was so quick, I almost missed it!

A typical homecoming is usually a lot of waiting around and then some more waiting around, especially when it comes to the Marines - the motto of 'Hurry Up and Wait" exists for a reason!  And yes, I can comment and complain of this as I am also a Marine Wife.  I think the longest wait was 6 hours.  I arrived around the projected time, which I try to arrive at least 1 hour before the estimated arrival of the troops.  I think I got about 5 'waiting around' shots before her guy walked onto the parade deck.  Just him.

I even almost missed capturing the initial moments of reconnection, luckily I am use to chasing for that image.  Watching that reconnection was so special, a lot of fun, and infectious with smiles.

Thank you Sabrina and Taylor for allowing me to capture these moments for you!  I hope we get to reschedule the couples session for the near future.  Welcome Home Taylor!! 

K Lilian Chance Photography is a volunteer photographer with Operation Love Reunited and a Family Portrait Photographer located in San Clemente, CA.