April Bay | Photographer

8th Comm Battalion Homecoming

April Bay Photographer — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:58:04 +0000

All great things come to those who wait. Right? Today, I met up with Rachel to capture all the special moments of her husbands homecoming.
Here is Rachel’s homecoming story-
Getting ready to head to the back of the building (they were on a mission to find the bus)Patiently waiting for her husband. Just in time, she got a phone call from her mom & it helped to bring a smile to her face

Christmas in January

April Bay Photographer — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:18:50 +0000

On May 30, 2011 I received a private message on my facebook page Mrs.Vance inquiring about photography for her husbands homecoming. The months following our initial messages seemed to fly by for me but for her I am sure some days were much much longer than others – however the hours turned into days, the days turned into months, the months turned into a year. 369 days to be exact!

Finally – January 13th, 2012 in the @ 3pm I finally had the chance to meet Mrs.Vance & their precious baby girl Brooklynn (15mths old) aboard Camp LeJeune for the 8th Regiment/RCT-8 Homecoming. I am guesstimating we waited for 2 hours outside with winds blowing up to 20mph with a high of 34…..we waited for Sgt.Vance step off the bus and back into his families arms!

Cooney Family Portraits

April Bay Photographer — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:22:33 +0000

After these kiddos realized I was super cool and we could just hang out, relax and play the session went smooth! The Cooney family rocks.

mr tanner and his family {pre-deployment session}

April Bay Photographer — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:19:27 +0000

Tanner’s daddy will deploy shortly before Tanner’s 1st birthday… but before that could happen we met up and snapped a few photos for them to have. Safe travels and wishes to your daddy, Tanner… and hugs to you and your mommy!

The Walking Dead 1/9

April Bay Photographer — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:54:42 +0000

The definition of super mom: an exemplary mother; also : a woman who performs the traditional duties of housekeeping and child-rearing while also having a full-time job. I honestly feel that there should be a picture of this mom next to that definition. She is one ahhhh-mazing woman!
Melissa’s husband is a US Marine who has spent the last 7 months in Afghanistan away from his wife, five children, family and friends. Melissa & I have been playing phone tag in regards to her husbands homecoming. Until late last night when I finally got ‘the phone call’ saying “April I believe they have arrived in Cherry Point & are on their way to Camp LeJeune!” Needless to say in the end we had more than enough time – no need to rush. So we hung out & had the chance to watch the kiddos run & play while they anxiously waited for their daddy! Now every spouse has their reasons for hiring a photographer to capture the homecoming moments. Melissa wanted a photographer at her husband’s homecoming because her 6 yr old son learned how to walk while he was deployed and she planned on surprising him. Here is Michael showing his daddy for the first time that he can walk! Family time. The Cooney family back together again.

Sweet Sweet Baby

April Bay Photographer — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:49 +0000

The other morning I attended my 1st birth in 2 long years! This little lady was born on her due date and her parents couldn’t be more thrilled to have her here! You guys should be so, so proud of yourselves ~ for how well you worked together during this labor, you were both fantastic! Thanks so much Emily & Ethan for keeping me updated and making sure I got there in plenty of time! (heehee) Congrats again!!Click to view slideshow.

I am looking forward to many more beautiful births and hopefully many more friends in 2012! Happy New Year!

April Bay
www.aprilbayphotos.com

Giving Thanks

April Bay Photographer — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:33:32 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving, to all those celebrating that this week. I’m so thankful to be together with family during this holiday time. even with the noise & mess level raised a bit. That’s part of the fun. : )

A few random things I’m grateful for, in addition to all the BIG things (family, friends, peace, home, health, freedom & Church

- 8 hours of sleep last night
- a few new things I learned about my computer & Photoshop this week
- leaves in my yard…..(that’s something to be thankful for)
- shopping yesterday (with my sister & daughter)
- Christmas decorations are up
- digital photography
- very kind e-mails from some of you (thanks!)
- mailed some holiday cards to my friends Saturday & knowing it will cheer them up next week when they get it
- found the perfect child to buy Christmas presents for off the angel tree

Have a WONDERFUL rest of the week!

Johnny & Heidi’s Wedding

April Bay Photographer — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:51:42 +0000

Heidi & Johnny are an amazing couple! Not only are they madly in love, but in true DIY style, they also coordinated and decorated their whole wedding! The day before the wedding they did all the flowers and reception decor themselves, along with a bit of help from some friends and family. The wedding day was truly a reflection of their love and one awesome celebration. The couple got ready at the house, and then we headed to the beach to take advantage of the gorgeous NC light. They had a DJ playing all night long who kept the reception an awesome party! The day was definitely filled with lots of laughter, happy tears, and joy. Without further ado ……The Vancil Family! Click to view slideshow. SOULMATES

At Last….

April Bay Photographer — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 21:41:35 +0000

What a way to begin October!!! Crystal & Steve’s wedding was really something special!If you know this family, you know how full their hearts are of love. They are some of the most special people I’ve been blessed to meet…actually this whole town is full of people like this-I love our “little” town . A few weeks ago, Crystal & Steve declared their love for one another on a beautiful sunny afternoon, with their two children by their sides. This couple found true love. I haven’t known this couple as long as most of my brides and grooms, however I COMPLETELY ADORE them!!
The wedding location was at the SNCO on the New River Air Station. I LOVED all the personal touches of the day. The toasts and parent dances had me in tears-from crying and laughing.
Steve seemed to be very quiet and reserved, but boy does he love to have fun…and the look he gets on his face when his wife is nearby, is so darling! I feel like I’ve known Crystal for years. She’s so easy to talk to, and fun to be around. Whenever I see her through the lens, I see a classic beauty! Take a look at this exquisite couple’s special day.Click to view slideshow.

Welcome Home {2nd CEB Military Homecoming}

April Bay Photographer — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:16:02 +0000

Do you remember what you were doing on October 30th say around 4pm? I do! I was running outta my house like a mad woman camera in hand to go shoot a military homecoming that I was positive I was gonna be late for…. Whitney does! She was on the opposite town literally getting dressed in the truck on the way to welcome her husband home after a 7 month deployment.

Ummm, yeah and she was rockin’ the dress & boots!
Luckily, we both made it in time with time to spare-so we talked, played with the kids, ate candy, snapped a few more pictures ……and then we heard the loud pipes from several motorcycles! The Freedom Riders brought our American Heroes home.followed by the I have missed you sooooooo much kiss!

Mom had to say welcome home son too! She wanted to hear his voice, she wanted to verify that her baby boy was finally safe & sound on American soil.
Dad’s fear of his kiddos not really remembering him was quickly laid to rest when Colton practically threw himself into daddy’s arms and Macayla didn’t let her daddy outta her sight.I get to shoot a lot of homecomings… but this wasn’t just an ordinary homecoming. This was the first homecoming out of five deployments that Gunny Hammond was welcomed home by his loving wife & two adorable children.

I cry everytime.
Every. Stinkin’. Time.

April Bay | Photographer
910-372-2375