Happy Monday, y’all! This week’s song is from the beautiful Adele. When my lovely clients don’t bring music to listen to, we often listen to Pandora. If they don’t have a preference, I often give them a pick of Adele or Black Eyed Peas. Two totally different feels to a session!

Adele is a huge favorite among my clients, so today is dedicated to her, her beautiful music and that killer voice!

Adele – Rolling in the Deep

There’s a fire starting in my heart,
Reaching a fever pitch and it’s bringing me out the dark

Finally, I can see you crystal clear.
Go ahead and sell me out and I’ll lay your ship there.
See how I leave, with every piece of you
Don’t underestimate the things that I will do.

There’s a fire starting in my heart,
Reaching a fever pitch and it’s bringing me out the dark

The scars of your love, remind me of us.
They keep me thinking that we almost had it all
The scars of your love, they leave me breathless
I can’t help feeling…

We could have had it all… (you’re gonna wish you, never had met me)…
Rolling in the Deep (Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
Your had my heart… (you’re gonna wish you)… Inside of your hand (Never had met me)
And you played it… (Tears are gonna fall)… To the beat (Rolling in the deep)

Baby I have no story to be told,
But I’ve heard one of you and I’m gonna make your head burn.
Think of me in the depths of your despair.
Making a home down there, as mine sure won’t be shared.

The scars of your love, remind you of us.
They keep me thinking that we almost had it all
The scars of your love, they leave me breathless
I can’t help feeling…

We could have had it all… (you’re gonna wish you never had met me)… Rolling in the Deep
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
Your had my heart… (you’re gonna wish you)… inside of your hand (Never had met me)
And you played it… (Tears are gonna fall)… To the beat (Rolling in the deep)
Could have had it all
Rolling in the deep.
You had my heart inside of your hand,
But you played it with your beating

Throw yourself through every open door (Whoa)
Count your blessings to find what you look for (Whoa-uh)
Turn my sorrow into treasured gold (Whoa)
And pay me back in kind- You reap just what you sow.

(You’re gonna wish you… Never had met me)
We could have had it all (Tears are gonna fall… Rolling in the deep)
We could have had it all yeah ( you’re gonna wish you… never had met me)
It all. (Tears are gonna fall)
It all
It all (Rolling in the deep)

We could have had it all (you’re gonna wish you, never had met me)
Rolling in the deep (Tears are gonna fall rolling in the deep)
You had my heart inside… (you’re gonna wish you)… of your hand (Never had met me)
And you played it… (Tears are gonna fall)… to the beat (Rolling in the deep)
We could have had it all ( you’re wish you never had met me)
Rolling in the deep (tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
You had my heart… ( you’re gonna wish you)… Inside of your hand (Never had met me)

But you played it
You played it.
You played it.
You played it to the beat.

This one is for my sweet husband. Starting on Wednesday, I’m taking a week off from work to be with him every step of the way during a crazy, scary, hard, exhausting bit of our life. Thoughts, prayers and good health wishes are definitely appreciated. =)

Stephen, I love you so much and will always be here for you 110%. I’m SO nose over tail for you. =)

Alkaline Trio – Nose Over Tail

“Crack my head open on your kitchen floor
To prove to you that I have brains
Meanwhile tin men led by little girls
Down golden roads that lead to nowhere

Fine time to fake a seizure
To feel your mouth on mine, you’re saving me

Whatever happened to that silly dream you had?
I want to make it real
I’d love to rub your back
Like a plane crash that never hits the ground
I fall in love with you
I’m nose over tail for you

Your voice like the sound of sirens to a house on fire
You’re saving me”

What a great day this was! I was able to hang out with S, who was waiting for her boyfriend, C, to come back on the USS Stout. It was S’s first deployment at home rather than being the one deployed, so there were a lot of emotions that day. C’s parents also came to be there when he stepped off the boat, which was nice. I had a fabulous day with them and am so happy they trusted me to capture their special day for them. Welcome home, C! S, I know you’re probably still over-the-moon having him back. =)

The photos and other content of this publication do not imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense.

I’m so excited to share the P family’s OpLove homecoming slideshow. I hope y’all enjoy it! I know the P family is so glad to be home as a WHOLE family again. =)

The photos and other content of this publication do not imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense.

Hey y’all! Happy Monday! Today’s song is one that I’ve been listening to over and over again lately. The state of the world is pretty scary, especially when you’re raising kids. The future leaders of the world. They’re the ones inheriting all of our mistakes and all of our triumphs. It’s so hard to look at my kids and see them as adults, but that’s the end goal, right? I want my kids to grow up to be capable, kind and compassionate adults.

This song helps to remind me of what kind of adults I hope to raise and what kinds of things I need to keep an eye out for as they grow up. It’s my job to remember where the love really is. =) As a transracial family, I know we have questions, struggles and amazing experiences in store for us. We don’t just have a son; we’re raising a black man in a “post racial” America. Though I do think I’m a tiny bit ahead of the game. One of Stephen’s co-workers said recently that when you’re a mother raising a black son, they always have to think that you’re a little bit crazy. Um…check! This advice came with a story of how she saw her son at the mall sagging his pants, which he is expressly forbidden to do. So his mom came up behind him, pants him in front of all of his friends and calmly asked him if they were low enough now. I totally want to be her when I grow up. =)

The Black Eyed Peas – Where Is The Love?

“What’s wrong with the world, mama
People livin’ like they ain’t got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that’ll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin’
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you’re bound to get irate, yeah
Badness is what you demonstrate
And that’s exactly how anger works and operates
Now, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y’all, y’all

People killin’, people dyin’
Children hurt can you hear them cryin’?
Can you practice what you preach?
And would you turn the other cheek?

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
‘Cause people got me, got me questionin’
Where is the love? (Love)

Where is the love? (The love)
Where is the love? (The love)
Where is the love?
The love, the love

It just ain’t the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane?
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don’t belong
Nations droppin’ bombs
Chemical gasses fillin’ lungs of little ones
With the ongoin’ sufferin’ as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin’ really gone
So I can ask myself really what is goin’ wrong
In this world that we livin’ in people keep on givin’
in
Makin’ wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin’ each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin’ on but the reason’s undercover
The truth is kept secret, it’s swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where’s the love, y’all, come on (I don’t know)
Where’s the truth, y’all, come on (I don’t know)
Where’s the love, y’all( come on yeah)

People killin’, people dyin’
Children hurt and you hear them cryin’
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
‘Cause people got me, got me questionin’
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I’m gettin’ older, y’all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin’
Selfishness got us followin’ the wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images, it’s the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids want to act like what they see in the cinema
Yo’, whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead in spreading love we’re spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That’s the reason why sometimes I’m feelin’ under
That’s the reason why sometimes I’m feelin’ down
There’s no wonder why sometimes I’m feelin’ under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found now ask yourself

People killin’, people dyin’
Children hurt and you hear them cryin’
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
‘Cause people got me, got me questionin’
Where is the love (Love)

Sing with me, y’all

(one world one world)
We only got (one world one world)
That’s all we got (one world one world)
And somethings wrong with it (yeah)
And somethings wrong with it (yeah)
And somethings wrong with the w-w-world yeah
We only got (one world one world)
That’s all we got (one world one world)”

Hey there!  Happy 4th of July!! I hope you’re doing something really fun with your family today!

Today is the first day of my new semi-weekly music series.  I’ll be sharing music I love, songs that have made their way into my sessions or just other randomness.  =) I like seeing what other people are listening to and wanted to join the fun!

Today’s song is one of my favorite songs by Hot Water Music and one that I’m always trying to keep in mind.  I like putting two lines together as a little life mantra:

“Lead a life the best we know
Live your heart and never follow”

Easier said than done, but it’s something that I believe wholeheartedly.  They mean so much to me right now as I’m thinking of restructuring my photography businesses and figuring out how best to create my life.  =) I foresee a new tattoo in my future!

Hot Water Music – It’s Hard to Know

“We couldn’t help but cry,
when we were brought to life.
Drug out by the cold, slapped a few times,
to the rhythm in the flickering lights
with tightly closed sore eyes.
We grow,
to either be or hate what’s cold
and that’s when we learn to know.

To run
Don’t follow
Lead a life the best we know.

It’s hard to find your way through the darkness,
it’s hard to know what to believe.
But if you live by your heart and value the love that you find,
Then you have all you need.

To run
Don’t follow
Lead a life the best you know.

Let’s talk about an independent stand.
Let’s talk about free form thought.
It’s not about living under command.
So don’t get caught.

I get knocked down and then I get back up.
Live your heart and never follow.
I’ll speak my mind, you can’t cover it up.
Live your heart and never follow.
I’m picking up the pieces as they break and fall.
Live your heart and never follow.
I’ll take on every day standing up, standing tall.
Live your heart and never follow.

Live your heart and never follow.
Live your heart and never follow.
Live your heart and never follow.”

I had hoped to have had this sneak peek posted early last week, but life got in the way big time.  I’m so excited about finishing these up and posting the slideshow as I love the images that we got.  =)  The love between S+C was just so amazing to be around.  I’m so glad they’re together again!!

Doesn’t this image just say “contentment” to you?  I know it does to me!

The photos and other content of this publication do not imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense.

I’m a bit behind in getting this sneak peek out because I had twice as many homecomings in June as I normally do (two! haha!) and we’ve had some medical issues pop up in my family, unfortunately. But here’s your sneak peek, P family! I’ll be posting your slideshow in just a few days. =)

The photos and other content of this publication do not imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense.

Hey there!  Today’s my weekly About Me Monday, where you get to learn a bit more about Leila the person and not just Leila the photographer!

Today is where I truly lay it all out there for you and tell you something about myself that I should absolutely, without a doubt maybe keep to myself.  I am a video game geek.  I totally geek out about video games and become wildly obsessed.  BUT!  Only a very certain type of game.  First person role player games set in a fantasy world.  Think knights, dragons, magic, etc.  When I say obsessed, I mean I can play for 6+ hours at a stretch.  NO lie.  Until wee hours of the morning sometimes.  It’s been more than once or twice that I’ve quickly snuck into bed before Stephen gets up with the kids so that he MIGHT not notice that I’ve been up all night.  Sad, but true.  Of course, he always knows!

Right now, my big time obsession is Dragon Age 2.  Best. Game. Ever.  I’m a huge fan of the entire game series and am absolutely heartbroken that I’m going to have to wait 1-2 years for the next game to (hopefully) come out.

Okay, there you go!  I’ve probably driven away people by the DOZENS by admitting the depths of my nerdiness.  PLEASE say there are those of you out there who feel me on this one, though!  Any other video game fans out there?

Hey all! I just wanted to post a quick update about my OpLove homecoming schedule. I’m only able to schedule one homecoming per month. This is because of my current child care situation. I’m so sorry that I can’t work with every single family that contacts me! It kills me to have to say that I’m booked and can’t be there for your special day. But there are only so many hours in the day and days in the month, unfortunately.  And those pesky kids of mine seem to require a lot of my time and attention.  =)

Anyway, I’ve had a lot of inquiries lately and my schedule is booking up really quickly! So if you’d like me to be there for your for your loved one’s homecoming, please get in touch with me ASAP to reserve your month. =)

May 2011: BOOKED
June 2011: BOOKED
July 2011: BOOKED
August 2011: Available
September 2011: BOOKED
October 2011: Available
November 2011: Available
December 2011: BOOKED

One important thing to note is that I don’t currently offer any other type of OpLove session than homecomings. It’s just not something I’m able to fit into my schedule right now. If that ever changes, y’all will be the first to know. =)

I do offer a military discount to all active duty military. You’ll receive 10% off all paid, regular sessions. This includes the session fee and your collection/print/product order. Mini-sessions are not included in this discount.

All of these are just my way of giving back to the military community. Thanks for all y’all do!