I don’t know of any other program that boosts moral like Operation: Love ReUnited. This program works, and it is WORTH the investment. I have about 30 people, and so many families that will attest to that.

The people that have been in the military for quite a while, those who have “lost count” at the number of deployment this will be in May, I have to say came in pretty….. cold to the idea that their picture was being taken, or maybe it was the fact that they had to get dressed up… Could it be the ball they all attended the night before hehe. I can say that I had one family in particular who had 2 children, a preteen and a teen. Dad has been in for who knows how many years and had indeed lost count of which deployment this is (number wise). By the time I had separated out the children with their father, I had finally started to bring out the “family” in them, and I managed to capture quite a few real smiles, the smiles and giggles they share at home- not in front of a camera. I wish I could be there to see Dad’s face when he opens that album for the first time in June. My heart is so warm just thinking about the joy he will feel.

Another couple that stood out to me had told me about 1/2 way thru their session that they had just found out that she was 8 weeks pregnant!! Hooray! They were SO EXCITED… But I sensed a bit of sadness from them knowing that the new daddy wouldn’t be there to help bring that baby into it’s new world.

Anyway, we all should be safely home with our some 3000 images to sort thru over the next few weeks. Watch here for pictures, and news!

Congratulations to all my photographers, and all the help we received it was AMAZING!

Again, we did what we thought was impossible.

yay us!

Congratulations everyone! Pat yourselves on the back, this is a huge accomplishment for our organization!

While I know that we cannot please everyone, clients, photographers, and members alike, I can tell you that we are honestly doing what we can, addressing issues that are brought to our concern.  With light that the world is changing, and as a volunteer program we have to comply to those changes and be willing accept them, but simply put this is a volunteer program.

I know that this organization has had its ups and downs, and I am truly sorry for any disheartening moments, or misinterpretations that I, or others, may have brought on everyone else- to clients and photographers.  Many of us are learning as we go… But we must be doing something right, something must be working out just fine, because the emails are still pouring in daily, and for that we should CELEBRATE!

 This is a heartfelt organization who GIVES BACK.  Our organization is made possible inevitably because of the demand for the service, and then the service happens because of our amazing, giving photographers.  The families we serve are contacting us because they need support, they need a friend, they need a shoulder, they need a boost in moral because they can’t kiss their babies goodnight… they are experiencing things and seeing things that tear my soul out, that make me cry in a single thought…  And that is why we are where we are.  The demand for a friend, for that shoulder- and many, many of our photographers have really broad shoulders!

Sometimes to participate in great things, you have to relinquish other things.  For instance, with OpLove to participate as a photographer you have to be willing to relinquish any assumed monetary supplement, a paycheck.  Other times we are giving up certain rights as artists to simply protect our clients.   This is an organization about selflessness, not selfishness. We help people, help put families together who are separated by the 1000′s of miles between them…

Our photographers are AMAZING people.  Many of them will support our families well beyond their OpLove requirements with open arms.  Many of them are involved with the military directly, and deployments and such directly affect them too.  Anyone in the military, spouse or otherwise, will tell you how very hard it is to raise your kids by yourself for months, or how hard it is for a mother and father to say goodbye to their only son or daughter- any child for that matter.  A father will fall apart like a cheap suit at the thought of missing his 1st daughter’s birth, or being on the other line 1000s of miles away with only his voice to calm and attempt to sooth his wife’s agonizing pains through the delivery of their baby.    Recently a photographer shot a maternity OpLove session, then her birth and then the homecoming just so this daddy could have something, anything to experience first time fatherhood, because he was unable to physically meet his daughter the day of her arrival.  We do AMAZING things for people, and these emotions and thank you’s are “why” you are in this program as a photographer.  It isn’t so you can have the chance at a spot in the limelight, or to catch a great story…

Photographers are there to represent the ORGANIZATION and help families, not for self-promotion.

Job Description and Expectations

Purpose:
To advise, govern, oversee policy and direction, and assist with the leadership and general promotion of Operation: Love ReUnited so as to support the organization’s mission and needs.

Major responsibilities*:
• Present an ACTIVE roll on the collaboration forum WEEKLY, helping and advising other members.
• Promoting the organization with the media, military establishments and the community.
• Helping to plan and organize fundraising promotions.
• Helping to maintain the active phtoographers database.

*Members of the board share these responsibilities while acting in the interest of OpLove. Each member is expected to make recommendations based on his or her experience and vantage point in the community.

Length of term:
One year, which may be renewed pending approval of the board.

Meetings and time commitment:
The board of directors meets monthly online, at a time that is convienently voted upon.

Expectations of board members:
• Attend and participate in meetings on a regular basis, and special events as able within their local area.
• Be alert to community concerns that can be addressed by OpLove’s mission, objectives, and programs.
• Help communicate and promote OpLove’s mission and programs to the community.
• Understand the policies and procedures of OpLove.
• Board members are expected to pay the Annual Donation Fee of $25.00 each year they serve.

Apply here

http://www.oplove.org/photographer_application.html

This is something new we are trying.  Please let us know if you have any problems.