Everything you need to know to prepare for one of the most emotional, joy-filled days of your life — so all you have to do is show up and feel every single moment.
Welcome home. I am so incredibly honored to be there for this moment.
Military homecomings are some of the most emotionally charged, beautiful, and fleeting moments I have ever had the privilege of photographing. The anticipation on the pier, the kids straining to see the planes overhead, and then that moment — the running, the tears, the embrace — it happens fast, it's completely unpredictable, and it is absolutely everything. My entire job is to make sure you never have to think about me. You just get to feel it all.
I've been doing this for over 12 years and I promise you: I will be ready, I will be watching, and I will not miss it. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know so the day is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Thank you for your family's service. It is a true honor.
Now that you've officially booked me, the only things left to do are plan your outfits, show up to homecoming, and be ready to feel all the feelings. I'll handle everything else.
Homecoming sessions are uniquely different from any other kind of photography session. There's no set location I choose, no perfect golden hour timing I can control, and no posing before the big moment. The reunion happens when it happens — on the tarmac, at the pier, in a hangar — and my job is to document every second of it as it unfolds naturally. After the initial reunion, I'll find a few quiet minutes to get some more intentional portraits of your family together.
You don't have to think about me at all. Just run to them. I'll be there.
One of the best ways to keep kids happy and cooperative during the wait (and afterward for a few extra portraits) is to have a small reward ready for them — a favorite snack, a special treat, or the promise of an activity after. And if they don't cooperate perfectly? Don't stress. These photos are about documenting real life, and the chaos is part of the story.
Military homecoming dates shift — sometimes by days, sometimes by hours. Please keep me updated with any changes as soon as you hear them, and know that I will always do my best to accommodate reschedules. I will never penalize you for date changes that are completely out of your control. That's just part of how homecomings work, and I am here for all of it. In the event that a date change puts me in a conflict I truly cannot get out of, I have multiple close colleagues who also have base access and who I trust completely — so your homecoming will always be covered.
This is one of the most important parts of homecoming planning, and it needs to happen well in advance. Most homecomings take place on military bases — NAS Jacksonville, Mayport Naval Station, Camp Blanding, Florida Air National Guard, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, or other installations across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia — and base access requires advance coordination.
You've been waiting for this day for months. You deserve to feel absolutely amazing in what you're wearing. Here's how to make sure your outfit is as ready as you are.
Homecomings often take place against industrial backdrops — hangars, tarmacs, piers, and flight lines. The right colors will stand out and pop against those environments without feeling out of place. Here are four palette families that work especially well:
Bold, patriotic, and incredibly striking against hangar and flight line backdrops. A red dress photographs beautifully at homecoming.
Timeless and elegant. Neutral tones are especially versatile and photograph beautifully in any lighting condition.
Deep navy and coastal blues feel perfectly at home for a naval or Marine Corps homecoming. Classic and stunning.
Earthy greens and sage tones complement military uniforms beautifully and feel grounded and organic in the photos.
Bring them! Handmade welcome home signs, American flags, flowers, balloons — all of it adds to the story and makes for incredible photos. If your kids have been counting down the days on a sign or have made something special, please bring it. These are the details that make your photos uniquely yours.
Homecoming day is equal parts exciting and exhausting — especially if you've been managing everything solo for months. Here's how to make the day as smooth as possible:
The best homecoming photos happen when families forget I'm there. That's exactly what I'm going for.
After the initial reunion — the running, the hugging, the happy chaos — I'll ask for just 5–10 minutes to get a few more intentional portraits while the emotion is still fresh and everyone is together. I won't re-enact the reunion or drag it out. I know everyone just wants to go home.
During this time I'll get photos in front of the aircraft or ship, walking shots as a family, and a few quiet intimate moments between the service member and their spouse and kids. These images round out the full story of the day beautifully.
Some of the most stunning homecoming portraits are taken in front of the aircraft or ship. If flight line, flight deck, or pier access is permitted, let me know ahead of time so we can plan for it. Always confirm with your unit what areas are approved for photography before the day of.
Once we've wrapped, here's what to expect:
When it comes to printing, I have two recommendations I stand behind completely:
For large prints and wall art, I personally use and recommend SmallwoodHome.com. As a photographer, this is the only place I order my own large prints from — the quality is incredible and they're worth every penny.
For standard photo prints, I recommend ordering directly from your gallery's print shop. It's powered by Miller's — one of the best professional photo printing labs in the world. Your images are color-calibrated specifically for their printers, which means what you receive will look exactly the way it's meant to.
If you have any questions at all before, during, or after homecoming — please reach out. I'm always here.
It is an honor to document this moment for your family. Serving military families across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia — including Jacksonville, Mayport, NAS Jax, Camp Blanding, Florida Air National Guard, and Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.