It’s always a privilege to photograph big moments in peoples’ lives. One of my favorite things to do is to stay incognito during those moments. I don’t ever want it to be about me. Photojournalistic event photography is all about that – not manufacturing things for the sake of manufacturing them, but showing how they really were. It was a sincerely pleasure to get to photograph this Cavalier Hotel retirement ceremony for Colonel Fowler. After 27 years of service, he was (quite literally) hanging up his hat, and so wonderfully celebrated by family and friends.
I had never had the opportunity to go to a military retirement ceremony before. They’re usually on base, which can be tough for a photographer to get around that doesn’t have a military ID already. I was so happy that the Fowler family reached out and asked me to photograph this big moment – and was even happier when I realized I could very likely do it, because it would be held at the Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach. There is a lot of tradition and ceremony in a military retirement ceremony. That doesn’t surprise me. What caught me off-guard was how emotional it could all be. Whether it was Colonel Fowler tearing up, the people who were talking about his accomplishments tearing up, or the friends and family there to support – there weren’t many dry eyes in the room. Including mine.
Life’s Big Moments Happen For Everyone
You might ask – what does this have to do with social media management? In the best way? It doesn’t. Teresa Fowler is a Realtor with OWN, and I’ve taken her photos a few times. I think sometimes we forget that business owners have families of their own. They’re all living lives that don’t have EVERYTHING to do with their business. Hearing about all the things that the Fowler family has accomplished together over the last few decades was incredibly impressive. It was also a wonderful reminder that it’s equally impressive to see business owners doing their best when they have so many other things going on.
Do you have a big life event coming up? Maybe it’s a retirement party. Perhaps you just want to commemorate a moment in your life right now. It’s why I do what I do. It means a lot to be a part of it. Send me a message if you want to learn more!
PLEASE COMMENT BELOW