08/25/2026
Some sessions stay with you long after the camera is put away, and this was one of them.
After more than a year of deployment, this family finally got a few precious weeks together. They spent a couple of days in Gulf Shores and made the four-hour drive out of their way to have me document this little slice of their time together. I’ll never take that kind of trust for granted.
My heart was so happy watching them laugh, reconnect, and simply enjoy each other, but there was also a heaviness knowing that another goodbye was just around the corner. Tomorrow, Matt heads back out for his next deployment, and this family will once again have to say “see ya later.”
It’s hard to put into words what it feels like to photograph a family in a season like this. Being able to preserve the joy, connection, and little moments that make their family so special is something I’m incredibly grateful for.
Just as we were getting ready to wrap up, the sky completely transformed into one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen. We stayed a little while longer to soak it in, and it was the perfect ending to an already meaningful evening.
I’m incredibly grateful for the men and women who serve our country, and equally grateful for the families who make sacrifices right alongside them. It was such an honor to document this little piece by of their story❤️🤍💙 Melissa Hammerle - Grade A Mcdonalds Mom - Not A Pinterest Mom 🥰
