As a volunteer photographer for Hearts Apart, the organization reached out to me about providing a portrait session for a military family. HeartsApart.org provides miltary families professional portrait sessions for deployed individuals to have as keepsakes while they are deployed.

Since the family desired to have the soldiers homecoming captured, it wasn't something they could provide but Kelsey with Hearts Apart was nice enough to put the family in touch with us directly

I jumped at the opportunity and man was it emotional. When that gate goes up …..there are no words.

It was a special moment to be able to capture and share this moment for the Velazquez family and so glad to jumpstart another amazing way for Photographers to connect with their community as this is something everyone should get to experience.

Rodolfo “Rudy” Velazquez and his wife Melissa Velazquez (who reached out to us) are members of the North Bergen Police Department. Their son Marcus is 16 months old. He was 3 months old at the time of Rudy’s deployment. He spent the past year in Jordan as part of the 1st Squadron, 102nd Cavalry Regiment of the New Jersey Army National Guard before returning home on December 12, 2019 to the Westfield Armory in Westfield, NJ

Since Hearts Apart doesn't provide this type of photography service, I thought it would be great to provide this via ChangingOptics.org. As I learn about upcoming Military Homecomings throughout New Jersey I will share information about them and how Photographers can take part. 

Scooter