Reunited, and it feels so good! How I capture joy-filled images as a military homecoming photographer

It’s fair to say that before I married into Navy life, I had no clue I’d one day be a military homecoming photographer. This category of photography is unlike any other: there’s a splash of portraiture, a lot of event vibes and plenty of photojournalism. It’s full of anticipation and emotion. I can’t believe how lucky I am to be asked to document such joy-filled moments in the lives of military families.

I will never forget when I photographed the homecoming in the images above and below this text. Let me give you some context: Dad was away for more than 10 months on this deployment in 2020, working hard on an aircraft carrier and missing out on port calls that couldn’t happen safely. Mom took care of 5 kids and life at home through a pandemic.

This fly-in was different than any other homecoming I’ve done or probably will ever do again. In the image below, you can literally see the weight coming off mom’s shoulders after carrying so much for so long. This is an image of pure happiness and relief, and this is why my job as a military homecoming photographer is some of the most meaningful work I get to do.

Why photography is a vital part of military homecomings

It’s been my experience that the more I can relate to my clients, the better I can capture images for them with meaning and purpose. In the same way that having my own children made me a better newborn photographer, I believe being a Navy spouse has made me a military homecoming photographer who can relate on another level to the families I photograph. I understand from experience what it’s like to anticipate that first hug after a long and hard deployment, and this element of empathy has made me better able to anticipate the moments these families will always want to remember.

If you’re going to photograph a military homecoming, it’s so important to understand the complex layers of feelings that accompany such an emotionally charged experience. Yes, there’s so much joy and relief. But, there is also nervousness. In most cases, this has been such a long separation that it’s fair to say the butterflies in the stomach are pterodactyl-sized, and for a parent with young children it’s hard to know how they’ll react to seeing their mom or dad after such a long time apart.

Understanding where your military families are coming from will make it easier to connect with them and can only make your photography better. Check out this post from Military OneSource for a deeper dive into what military families experience prior to and after a homecoming.

How I photograph a military homecoming

Capture key moments before, during, and after the arrival of the service member

I do my best to treat military homecoming photography with a documentary approach. After all, I’m hired to create a visual keepsake of this memory so that the family can live in the moment. If I’m trying to pose them or control all the shots, they’re not really getting the chance to live in the moment like they wanted to.

When I think about the breakdown of a military homecoming session, I think in terms of before, during, and after. There are the moments before the service member gets home, the moments of reuniting, and then the moments after.

One of the must-shoot images prior to the actual arrival of the loved one is a shot of the people who helped get your client through this deployment. The way military spouses lean on each other during those long months creates such a strong bond.

Celebrating homecoming together is special because those fellow spouses and partners are the only other people who can directly relate to the range of emotions your client is feeling. Trust me when I say you need to get some images of those friendships because they become lifelong.

Another shot I love to get is any kind of homemade sign. If the family you’re photographing has made signs, make sure to get photos of them, especially if the artist is one of the kids.

Other “before” images I like to get include decorations/detail shots and kids playing and entertaining themselves beforehand. I photograph a lot of fly-ins, so capturing the kids with their hearing protection is always a classic photo as well.

The main event is when the family is reunited. This is where understanding your camera is so important. There are many aspects of military homecomings that are beyond your control – especially the light. Knowing how to manage your camera’s settings to work with the light you’re given and to capture the movement and the moment of families being reunited is of utmost importance.

After the family has been reunited, we always get some shots of them together. These are sometimes candid but mainly posed. This is where the portrait aspect comes into play.

Use composition to enhance emotion

Part of the fun of being a military homecoming photographer is that no two military homecomings are the same. I love playing with composition to enhance emotion and give a sense of place and time. Sometimes that means getting in close to emphasize connection and intimacy and other times that means wide angles to give context.

Stay respectful and unobtrusive

Knowing when to step back and let moments unfold naturally is key to capturing honest, storytelling images. When you’re able to anticipate the shot, it allows you to capture emotions without disrupting the intimacy of the moment.

I mentioned in my introduction that that being a military homecoming photographer has an element of photojournalism to it. This is where that comes in.

Now go forth and capture those meaningful images

My job as a military homecoming photographer is so fulfilling. If you’re lucky enough to be in a position where you’re asked to preserve such powerful moments, I highly recommend you jump at the opportunity. It’ll bring out your storytelling skills, stretch your use of composition and help you connect in a meaningful way with your subjects.

If you’re a military family looking for a photographer for your homecoming, please reach out via my contact form here: https://ericahurlburtphotography.com/contact

Reunited and it feels so good! How I capture joy-filled homecoming images as a military homecoming photographer

Erica Hurlburt is an award winning Ventura County Photographer who specializes in newborn, family and school photography. Her style tends toward cleaner, classic images, both in how they’re composed and edited. Her goal in every session is to keep things relaxed and fun and to create images that are both meaningful and unique.

Erica serves clients in Camarillo, Ventura County, Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Westlake,
Malibu, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ojai and beyond.