Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

Gina Geigley · 07:12 PM

Hey all! This organization was just recently started to give back to our military families in a small, yet huge way!! Check it out!! www.oplove.org

I know some of you are also involved in NILMDTS, so don't overextend yourself, but please consider it! My husband is in the Navy, and will deploy in 13 days for a year. This is an AMAZING organization!

Thanks!

Happy Valentine's Day!

photobykim · 02-14-2007, 01:04 PM

Gina, that just touched my heart. I have often thought about joining the NILMDTS organization, but I think that as a mother that would be to hard personally for me. So I will really look at joining this organization, I have been looking for a way to give back through my photography. Can you go over a little more about how the pre and post sessions go?

Gina Geigley · 02-14-2007, 01:49 PM

The program works like this. Photographers volunteer to waive their session fees and then agree to send the deployed person an album once the images are complete, overseas. The spouse provide the address, the photographer provides everything else. These two things are the ONLY requirements out of the photographers. Many of them choose to offer other services, discounts, products, etc., but that is solely left up to them.

We try to keep the session with a patriotic edge, flags, boots, helmets, uniforms, but we still want them to be fun and special for the families. Once military member is scheduled to come home, the photographer will go with the family to the airport or where ever to capture those first very special moments when they all are reunited as a family. This session is the highly emotional one!

HTH! :)

photobykim · 02-14-2007, 01:59 PM

That helps some. I guess one of my big things is that I am a stay at home mom and so right now doing sessions during the day is not really an option for me, so I wouldn't be able to do a lot of the coming home sessions if they're during the week or if the deployment session had to be during the week. I will keep an eye on it though.

Thank you

brad · 02-14-2007, 02:12 PM

Sign me up! My dad was career military and I'd be thrilled to get involved with this!

Rayna' · 02-14-2007, 03:32 PM

I'm involved in NILMDTS & Operation: Love ReUnited. I love doing both! It is awesome to give back to others. We are really needing DFW photographers for OLR.

Here is a link to a slideshow I did for a family I met at the airport. The husband was being deployed to Iraq.
http://www.raynaphotography.com/ullman's%20slideshow%20page.htm

photobykim · 02-14-2007, 03:34 PM

Rayna -- I dont know if you read my post above, but do you think this is something I could do being a stay at home mom?

Rayna' · 02-14-2007, 03:37 PM

Yes I believe so. If your schedule doesn't work out for their needs then you try to find someone else to help out. This is a brand new organization so it's "learn as we go" for right now. We really need photographers in the DFW area. Just like with NILMDTS, you do what you can do when you can.

photobykim · 02-14-2007, 03:40 PM

well then I'd love to sign up. I would love to be able to give back especially to those people that risk their lives for all of us.

Rayna' · 02-14-2007, 03:43 PM

Yea! Just email tonee.lawrence@gmail.com & let her know you would like to sign up. She'll then send you some info. Let me know when you are officially a member! Also, there is a forum (www.oplove.org/forum). When she adds you to her list you will be able to view the photographers side of the forum

Gina Geigley · 02-14-2007, 03:49 PM

Kim, I'm sorry....I totally meant to respond to that question. LOL I am a SAHM too, so you'll just have to do it as you can! Even if you can't do the homecomings, you could still do the pre deployment sessions. :)

Rayna' · 02-14-2007, 03:50 PM

hey Gina!!

photobykim · 02-14-2007, 03:51 PM

Rayna', thank you I am emailing her now.

Gina, no worries. lol I know the life of a sahm and can't always get back to the computer like we'd like to.

photobykim · 02-14-2007, 03:56 PM

Gina, I hope you dont mind, I saw you have hello (I actually have 6 different instant messangers) but I sent you an invite to join my hello friends list.

Breezy · 02-14-2007, 06:34 PM

So glad that some are interested in this now.
I too am a SAHM but I have volunteered my services. I have done a few for friends "before" OLR and can't wait to do more.

Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

Give back to the Military!!