San Diego Blog Stories
Within this blog you will find everything from Funeral planning for Veterans to Newborn photography. While we capture many events and share as much information as possible, our main goal is to serve others. We currently do that by providing information and curating things that are needed, primarily for our Military community in Southern California.
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From Sea to Scholar: Graduating With Honors While Deployed | San Diego, CA | PS1 Travis Houston
Getting a degree while active duty is hard enough… What about graduating with honors while deployed!?!
Here is why this US Navy Sailor, PS1 Travis Houston, is making waves in San Diego. Personnel Specialist First Class Travis Houston is a dedicated sailor with eight years of service under his belt with an unwavering commitment to advancing in his Navy career. It hasn’t always been this way. PS1's story isn't just about military service; it's a testament to the ability to balance service and education while setting one's sights on a brighter, even more challenging future.
Passing of Old Glory: A Heartfelt Tribute at Military Retirements | CBMU 303 San Diego, CA | Navy Seabee Master Chief Shawn Hollister
Need resources for organizing a meaningful Military Retirement in San Diego? Here are 4 ways to personalize the flag-passing ceremony at your retirement ceremony.
Experience the poignant 'Old Glory' tradition at military retirements, celebrating service members' distinguished careers. Discover the heartfelt flag passing ceremony, a symbol of respect and honor, while exploring the emotional reading of 'Old Glory,' symbolizing courage, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of the United States. Plan your military retirement in San Diego, a vibrant city with a rich military heritage, and find resources for organizing meaningful ceremonies and unforgettable tributes.
From Tattoos to Training: How Recent Changes Policy are Reshaping the Marine Corps | MCRD San Diego, CA | Staff Sergeant Mary Phaly
2 huge changes for the Corps: Female Recruits allowed at MCRD San Diego and tattoo Full Sleeve policy changes have shaped where Staff Sergeant Mary Phaly is today! Enjoy some policy history and get excited about how this Drill Instructor is trailblazing away! E6 in 6, getting a bachelors degree, martial arts, and more.
From Bump to Pup: Capturing Pregnancy Memories with Your Dog | San Diego, CA
Looking for a unique way to add some personality and character to your maternity photos?
Consider including your fur family, However, before you do, it's important to plan ahead and make sure your dog is calm and well-behaved during the photo session.
Keep reading to find 3 reasons why you should include your fur family in maternity photos, some tips to do it the right way, and some reasons NOT to.
Honoring Lieutenant Junior Grade Kent Campbell Smith | 13 Year Navy Veteran | Miramar National Cemetery
LTJG Kent Campbell Smith
September 11, 1945 - September 6, 2022 VIETNAM | US 1968-1981Kent Campbell Smith was a proud veteran and patriotic individual who dedicated his life to serving his country and community. Despite being injured during his time in the Navy, he went on to lead a fulfilling career in public service, where he served as an Executive Director of a non-profit organization, a management consultant, chaplain, and Protestant minister. He will be remembered as a devoted family man, who loved spending time in the outdoors and was actively involved in various organizations and churches. He lived a full and meaningful life and will be deeply missed by friends and family.
Please read about the history of his ship, USS Enterprise
Purr-fect Choice in San Diego | San Diego, CA | Court House Photographer
The ultimate guide to say 'I do' with your four-legged friend by your side! Discover the charm of a San Diego Courthouse wedding with your furry best friend. Why an outdoor civil ceremony? So your pup can join of course!
Tying the Knot with Furry Friends: 3 Reasons Courthouse Weddings are the Purr-fect Choice in San Diego, How to include them, how to prep your pup, and restaurant/brewery recommendations for after the alter.
The History of the Miramar National Cemetery San Diego, CA
The History of the Miramar National Cemetery and why you should know it.
Want to know when the Miramar National Cemetery was made and why? Find out here and learn more about the monuments, The Liberation, Memorial Walk, Avenue of Flags, Columbariums, how to donate to the many organizations, and even a few notable veterans laid to rest there.
Boys ONLY! - The Hasicks’ 3rd Son | Escondido CA Newborn Lifestyle Photo Session
Newborn Session | Thanksgiving Baby | San Diego, CA
Having three sons is like having an unpredictable roller coaster ride. There’s never a dull moment, and you never know what’s going to happen next. One minute they’re playing video games and the next they’re off on some wild adventure - You are guaranteed to have a huge grocery bill!
When it comes to sports and activities, having only sons can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s great to have them all playing soccer or basketball together. On the other hand, it can be a bit overwhelming to try and wrangle them all into one place at the same time.
Life with three sons is a lot of fun. It can be chaotic at times but it’s always full of laughter and joy. So if you’re a parent of three sons, just remember to buckle up and enjoy the ride!
Here are a few photos of all three brothers together and some with dad.
Couples, Cuddles & Coffee | Couples photo Session with Dog | Downtown San Diego, CA
Couples, Cuddles & Coffee…. what more could you want? Oh! A Dog! Having your pup join in on a couples photoshoot, engagement session, or wedding is far more fun and exciting. Special shout out to Portal Coffee for the beautiful backdrop, hot coco, and pastries for this couple to enjoy.
Here are couples photo ideas to take with your dog in the cozy winter time in San Diego, CA.
Here comes the… Dog? | San Diego, CA | Elopement Photographer
Why an outdoor civil ceremony? So your pup can join of course! If you are planning to ditch the big wedding for now, and go for something more intimate, a San Diego Courthouse Civil marriage deserves huge consideration!
Here is why you should consider an elopement and Civil Ceremony at the Courthouse with your pup(s) when wanting to join your partner in marriage in San Diego County (or anywhere really!)
The Couple.
Lets start with describing this couple. Both are from San Francisco and wanted to get married! Sophia and Pramod are in their mid-20s and live in San Francisco with their Husky mix, Flash. they enjoy relaxing at home with Flash, eating vegetarian food with a glass of red wine and occasionally doing snow/water sports! Flash is a very friendly, easily distracted & lazier husky/pit mix. He loves food! They wanted family and friends to be able to join in on the celebration but were having trouble finding a venue that didn’t have a cap on persons that could attend. They decided to fly to San Diego (where grooms family lives) and get married at the court house!
Blog about the Civil Ceremonies in Downtown San Diego Courthouse
In-home newborn | What to have on hand | 2018 San Diego Throwback
Tips for parents who are having an in-home newborn photo session and want to know more about what to have on hand, what to focus on cleaning, and how to relax knowing you’re about to have an amazing experience!
Morgan L So Cal Newborn Photographer
Why I Decided to become a Bereavement Doula Photographer
A bereavement doula or a “loss doula” is a doula who walks with, supports, and helps families who are experiencing the loss of their baby, whether that loss is through miscarriage, stillbirth, or a diagnosis that means the baby will not live long after being delivered.
What inspired me to be a bereavement doula?
I decided to expand my services of photography by offering free services to families that have lost a little one. Getting trained in bereavement was an important step. I experienced my own losses in the last few years; my own son, a dear shipmate and friend, family, and more. But what actually pushed me to research an actual certification is to help destigmatize photographing loss. I already photography funerals so it was only natural I made the leap to officaly be educated. There is a disturbing amount of lack of resources, help, information, and support for women and families facing loss.
Honoring Rear Admiral William E. Terry, | 33 Year Navy Veteran
William Edwin Terry
9 January 1940 – 10 Jul 2022 33 Years | VIETNAM | US NAVY, Rear Admiral Lower HalfIt is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) William Edwin “Bill” Terry, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 10 July 2022 at age 82. Bill entered the U.S. Naval Reserve in June 1961, was commissioned in April 1963, and served as a naval aviator flying helicopters until his retirement in October 1994 as Commander, Combat Logistics Group TWO. His other commands included Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron EIGHT (HS-2), Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron TEN (HS-10), USS Okinawa (LPH-3), and Amphibious Squadron SEVEN. He flew 32 combat missions during three Vietnam War deployments and he was awarded a Silver Star for rescuing three survivors from two downed aircraft under heavy enemy fire in March 1966.
3 Ideas for Epic Multigenerational Family Photos | San Diego, CA
Extended Family Photo Session Ideas for the family on Vacation in Southern California.
It's not just about the kids.
A family portrait should celebrate all generations. The special bond between grandparents and their grandchildren is worth capturing with a multigenerational family portrait. These images will celebrate the full family story can become an invaluable part of YOUR family history, and will also look great on the walls.
I will always encourage adding a generational component to anyone’s yearly family session. Weather it be family jewelry or a framed portrait of great grandma that’s recently passed away - It may not be something you have even thought of, but you are sure to love the images captured. Capturing a few extra frames with the children and grandparents doesn’t add too much time to your session and often having another set of hands-on set to assist with the kids can be extra helpful, especially when your children are small.
Here are 3 ideas to incorporate multiple generations in your next family portraits.
Navy Hospital Corpsman (HM) HCB A School Graduation | Fort Sam Huston | San Antonio, TX
Navy Hospital Corpsman Basic (HCB) Graduation Class 200 October 27, 2022
Hospital Corpsman Basic (HCB) program courses are group lockstep. The program provides Navy enlisted personnel with a basic medical knowledge of pre-hospital, inpatient and outpatient medical care within the scope of the Hospital Corpsman. Subjects include Basic Life Support (BLS), medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, pre-hospital care, and inpatient and outpatient aspects of each body system. Outcome-based practice and safety techniques are emphasized throughout the program. The program consists of lectures, group activities, demonstrations, hands-on instruction and clinical practice.
I saw a Facebook post on Monday night - and it changed the rest of my week! My little sister wasn’t going to have anyone at her A School Graduation … Just like when she graduated from Navy Boot Camp in Great Lakes. You may not know but, a decade ago, no one came to my Navy Bootcamp Graduation or A School and I STILL hold bitterness over it - I could NOT let her feel the same way. So, I got a cheap flight and made the trek out to San Antonio to the Fort Sam Huston joint base and got to spend 24 hours with her. I am currently typing this post as I sit in the Denver airport’s USO on their free Wifi to share this amazing memory.
Good Reads for New Military MoMs | 2022
Good Reads for New Military MoMs (Mom of a Marine) | 2022
Navigating life as a new parent of a Marine headed off to Boot Camp is hard enough. If you love reading or want to read up on how to better understand the transition your new service member is going through, here are our top picks! Saving the BEST MoM (mother of a Marine) book for last!
The Heart of a Military Mom by Army Mom Strong & Elaine Brye 4.7 out of 5 #24 in Military Families (Books)
Rise Up Military Moms: A Journal for Living Life with Strength and Purpose by Army Mom Strong & Elaine Brye 4.8 out of 5 #67 in Military Families (Books)
Be Safe, Love Mom: A Military Mom's Stories of Courage, Comfort, and Surviving Life on the Home Front by Elaine Brye & Nan Gatewood Satter 4.8 out of 5 #11 in Military Families (Books)
Top 4 Book Reads for Military Spouses
Top 4 Good Reads for Military Spouses & Significant Others
Navigating life as a spouse or significant other of a service member headed off to Boot Camp or deployment is hard enough, want to stay busy reading? If you love reading or want to start up to better understand the transition your love is going through during their first years of service (including deployments), here are our top picks!
Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives by Jocelyn Green 4.8 out of 5
The 5 Love Languages Military Edition: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman & Jocelyn Green 4.7 out of 5 from 1,814 global ratings on Amazon #4 in Military Families (Books)
You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse by Jen McDonald 4.7 out of 5 #155 in Military Families (Books)
Open When: Letters of Encouragement for Military Spouses by Lizann Lightfoot 4.5 out of 5 #93 in Military Families (Books)
Mom Reuniting With Son After Deployment | Chunaco Family | USNS Mercy | San Diego Naval Base | pt2
Mom Reuniting With Son After Deployment | Chunaco Family | USNS Mercy | San Diego Naval Base pt2
USNS Mercy T-AH-19 is a 1,000 bed hospital ship commissioned in 1986 and currently lay berthed at Pier 1 on Naval Base San Diego, California. Along with USNS Comfort, USNS Mercy provides an afloat, mobile, acute surgical medical facilities when called upon to the U.S. military, and hospital services to support U.S. disaster relief and humanitarian operations worldwide.
Mom Reuniting With Son After Deployment | Chunaco Family | USNS Mercy | San Diego Naval Base |
Mom Reuniting With Son After Deployment | Chunaco Family | USNS Mercy | San Diego Naval Base
Deployed Mom VS Deployed Dad…
Lets be clear, deployments are not easy nor are they really comparable. As a female service member I do recall my husband being home with our daughter versus the times he was deployed and I was home alone with her. I was blessed to have never needed to leave my daughter for an extended amount of time; therefore didn’t know what to expect watching LCDR reunite with her son.
Of course, he started getting mad at dad holding him waving at mom ( he was trying to nap haha) right as she was walking up and did warm up. This exact same thing happens when I see dad’s come home. At the same homecoming, another little kid ran up to his mom with a huge embrace! They are each unique and require reintegration to really feel like a family again.
Marine Dad Meeting Newborn for the FIRST TIME | Marinaccio Family | VMM-163 Fly-in from Africa | San Diego Airport Military Homecoming |
Check out photos and a video of this Cpl meeting his newborn for the first time after being deployed in Africa with VMM-163 at the San Diego International Airport.
This deployed Marine dad returns home to his beautiful wife and baby girl for the first time. The anticipation of this moment and importance of this first meeting was so important we decided to do video, too.
Lets be real, this sweet family of three are clearly lost in the moment enjoying their firsts. Cpl seems to have a good handle on fatherhood already because it doesn’t take long for him to embrace his girls and enjoy his first (adorable!) father/daughter bonding moment.