Deployment Photography... with a little Pin-Up on the side!

If there's one thing I've always wanted to do, since the day I met my husband, it was get professional photos taken; I dreamed of Habibi and I running through the French Quarter- a photographer in tow taking candids... Then, when Chuug came along, I envisioned pictures of our little family in City Park, walking across the bridges and sitting on the old oaks. I thought about collage frames and Christmas cards and everything that came along with those gorgeous family photography sessions our friends were always sending out in the mail or posting on websites. Unfortunately, there never seemed to be a good time- whether it was a busy schedule, tight funds or grueling New Orleans weather conditions.

One thing that seems to be a common belief with military families is this: With a lifestyle that tends to deploy half of our homes across the world for extended periods of time, pictures are a must. Nobody seems to know this better, with the recent deployment of almost our entire post, than the Army Wives of Fort Bliss.

A few months ago, when Deployment was looming, I began to see albums upon albums of family photography sessions in my feed, ranging from absolutely fabulous to PWC (person with camera). Either way, it dawned on me that Habibi would be gone in a few months... and in our seven years together we had never taken professional family photos. I admit, I actually felt a small sense of panic. There are many things many wives don't want to think about when it comes to Deployment, but I will come right out and say that my thought was this: What if something happens? We don't have any beautiful family photos to look back on aside from the random quick "HEY! LOOK AT ME! -click-" camera shot at some family function or the occasional grainy cell phone picture that was immediately uploaded to Facebook.

I immediately began to search.

Now, a major plus to being a military family, stationed at a rather large installation with other military families, is that photographers tend to come up with pretty great offers, deals and discounts. Free photo books, military discounts and credits, payment plans... The biggest is when they offer a Deployment Package. Certainly catches the eye, doesn't it? Hey! We're military! He's about to deploy! That package is perfect!

It's important, however, to not be completely blinded by a good deal. Unfortunately, this is what we learned with our first photography experience here in El Paso. Fair warning; a studio, website, and a Deployment Deal and Military Discount Plan does not always equal up to a professional photographer. Instead, we found that sometimes all you need is someone in your shoes with passion and a camera. That's what we found in Nina.

Nina Roxanne; fellow Army Wife and owner of Nina Roxanne Photography, is absolutely amazing. When our first photography session wound up being a complete dud, she e-mailed me offering her services for a fee, perfectly affordable for our little Army paycheck, to cover our session and a CD with our photos. I was wary- already once burned- but determined to have the perfect family photo shoot.

Right from the beginning of our session Nina was laid back, friendly and fun. Whatever stress, worry and discomfort I felt about doing a second and, in my mind, potentially disastrous photo shoot immediately dissipated when we said our "Hello"s. We loved that she was open to try whatever we wanted along with her own ideas, which were creative and original. While she gave us direction on what kind of shot she wanted to take, she wasn't posey- simply allowing us to be what felt like in our own little bubble, taking candids quietly from the outside, observing our little family instead of moving us around like Barbie and Ken dolls. At times it truly felt like she wasn't even there!

But oh, she was definitely there! Within hours after our shoot we were surprised to see absolutely and unbelievably gorgeous preview photos waiting for us on our newsfeed! We immediately fell in love. In just four previews Nina was able to give the world a peek inside the life of our little family- from special kisses to funny faces.

Not only do I plan to call Nina for another family shoot when Habibi comes home... but I'm also thinking about using her services to help me achieve one of my Deployment Game Plan Goals; GET FIT! If I lose the weight/inches I hope to with this deployment by working hard, I plan to give myself a little Pin-Up Pick-Me-Up! Not sure what I'm talking about? Check out Nina's photography page again- and sneak a little peek at her Pin-Up Photography! For my fellow babes at Bliss who are looking to get a little (or a lot) fit during this deployment, just a suggestion, but I'd add Nina Roxanne Photography to your Deployment Goal List. Just sayin'. 

Look at my little bebe carrying his Daddy Bear! =)

Not to mention Nina offers a fabulous 40% Military Discount to all Reserve, Retired and, of course, Active Duty Military!

And if the Pin-Up thing isn't your style, there are still a million amazing possibilities to be had with Nina and her eye for special moments. The proof is on your screen!