SEATTLE PHOTOGRAPHERS BLOG

As a working freelance photojournalist supporting a family, I shoot a variety of photo assignments. Magazine and newspapers call with assignments as well as local corporations and non-profits. Four years ago I photographed the wedding of Kelly and Shaun. Shaun is an officer in the US Army with the 3rd Stryker Brigade out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. In the last 36 months Shaun served his 3rd and 4th deployment in Afghanistan and was scheduled to return home last Thursday night around midnight. Kelly called me and asked if I would go to Seatac Airport to photograph him coming home for hopefully the last time. It was an request I could not refuse. We got through security with some delay and Kelly started running barefoot through the terminal to the gate Shaun’s plane was arriving at. After a brief delay he came through the door and as I began to photograph them their emotions started to overwhelm me. Tears were in my eyes as I followed them through the hallways to the baggage carousel. As they waited for his pack, a young man approached Shaun and thanked him for his service to our country. I walked with them to their car and made a few final images of them before I said goodnight.