(Required disclaimer: The photos and other content of this publication do not constitute or imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense.)
Ashley and Addison contacted me through Oplove early this fall. At that time, Addison was in Iraq and Ashley was expecting their first child. There is one thing I’ve learned shooting weddings, and that working with Oplove has brought home even more. It’s often humbling, and sometimes even a little intimidating, knowing how much these photos can mean. I really can’t tell you how much of an honor it is for me, the way these families welcome me into their lives even just for a few hours, to try to capture the things that are most important to them.
So somewhere in the end of the two weeks that Addison had at home, between the birth of their first child and Thanksgiving and fitting in all the family affairs, we squeezed in an hour at the William Penn Omni Hotel in Pittsburgh to get a few portraits.
Addison has this great smile that lights up his whole face and a comical list of poses that looked like they came straight from GQ. Ashley is calm and strong and beautiful, mama zen. And little Aidan, of course, is absolutely adorable, and so loved. We had a lovely time wandering around the hotel, misplacing the furniture, exploring the streets outside.
We were in front of the hotel, shooting with the buildings and city streets behid us. Addison leaned against the wall, his wife pressing into his arms for a kiss. Suddenly, the cab driver in the background stuck his head out and laughed, “Now that’s some World War II shit right there!”
Yessir, yes it is.
Addison is back in Iraq for now, although he will be returning to his wife and son in February. Best wishes to he & his family, and a safe return home!
