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allison homecoming | Camp Lejeune, NC Photographer

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The night of our going away party I re-he-eally didn’t want to get up at 2:00 am to go to work. I had just gotten in bed and was cozy and warm when I got they call, they were on their way. Anyone remember that Dunkin Donuts commercial? “Gotta make the doughnuts…”

Anyway, I got there just before the buses and Edna pulled in just behind them! I thought they were just teasing us and would still go to the armory, but no! Chris got to her car before she could even get out and I just lucked out by spotting him walking toward the same car I was! Although they didn’t get the video camera up in time, I was able to grab the stills of Daddy meeting his baby boy <3 To think, if I would have stayed in bed just a few more minutes, I would have missed this – I would have regretted that forever.

Thank you guys for letting me be a part of this special moment!

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Here’s my best attempt at the full moon behind a creepy tree without a tripod. Lol. It was really beautiful but I think I was shivering haha!

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the branch family | MCAS New River Photographer

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There are a handful of families that I have the pleasure of meeting every few months – and this family is one of my favorites! I met the Branch’s when Jessica was pregnant and then again when Abram was first born and every 3 months since then. This last time was to say “See you soon” to David as he leaves for deployment – There are very few days that are more personal and more emotional than this.

Here is a look back at he last 18 months or so…

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Thank you guys so much for letting me be a part of this day – I too said “see you soon” to my husband with a 1 year old and newly pregnant with our second. It was not easy, but if I can do it I know you can too and it will only make you stronger on the other side! The one thing I am truly thankful for is the time I got to spend alone with my oldest baby – there will never be another time you have with just your first born, not having to share with anyone – soak that in. I am wishing you comfort and strength until homecoming!

gray homecoming | camp lejeune, nc photographer

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The last time I photographed this couple it was at sunrise in the dead heat of summer, so it’s only fitting that this time around it is winter and midnight =)

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xander | Jacksonville, NC Newborn Photographer

Post author By Jillian Mills
Post date 8 January, 2012
Categories In baby, maternity, newborn, pregnancy

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Babies come in their own timing and this little one wouldn’t wait for me to come back from our Christmas leave 😉 This is my dear friend, Holly’s, baby boy. I would have loved to witness his birth, but he was is the good hands of the rest of Holly’s birth team – Dad/Husband Travis assisted by friends, Brittany and Melissa. Congratulations Holly, Travis and big ‘brother’ Max!

Check out their gender announcement from this past summer here!

First, a few of their maternity session…

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Here’s one of him at 2 days when I finally got here to visit <3

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sherman family | Swansboro, NC Newborn Photographer

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Here is another catch-up post 🙂 This little man gave me a run for my money, but his dad knew just how to get him to dream land. It is always wonderful to photograph several generations welcoming a great-grandchild, and Mr. B’s family was no exception! The Sherman family was a referral from one of my favorite ladies, thank you so much Danelle!

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the malin’s | Camp Lejeune, NC Maternity Photographer

Post author By Jillian Mills
Post date 2 January, 2012
Categories In couples, maternity, pregnancy

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I think Chandra has an artist’s soul. She did ballet, plays guitar and when we met she was about as warm and friendly as you can be. Thank you both for letting me photograph your “Journey” to welcoming a baby girl into your lives.

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ava | Camp Lejeune, NC Baby Photographer

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Miss A is a miraculous little thing. She was born 10 weeks early by emergency C-Section. Her dad was rushed back to the states from deployment to be by her and her mom’s side and they spend 6 long weeks in the hospital. Here we are 6 months later and if her mom hadn’t shared her story, I wouldn’t know the difference. She even took a snooze mid-session so I could get some sweet, sleepy baby pictures – my favorite!

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jones family | Camp Lejeune, NC Homecoming Photographer

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At 36 weeks pregnant with her 2nd baby girl, I was really hoping I’d get to also photograph a labor & delivery that night…. but baby ‘K’ wasn’t ready quite yet. When I last saw Lauren at her oldest daughter’s 6 month session, her husband was serving overseas for a full year. I had just found out my husband’s deployment would be cut short so he’d make it home in time for our 2nd baby to be born and I wished her the same luck. I am so thrilled that this family was blessed to have their husband and Daddy home early and for good! Congratulations Jones’ – I hope to still be in town to meet this little one!

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marenco family | MCAS New River Homecoming Photographer

Post author By Jillian Mills
Post date 2 January, 2012
Categories In homecoming

Melissa, Jaime and Miss Samantha are good friends of ours. As is often the case, the Marine Corps has kept Jaime from his family for the majority of the last year – I couldn’t be more happy to welcome him home, this time hopefully for good!

favorites for 2011 | jill’s blog

Post author By Jillian Mills
Post date 31 December, 2011
Categories In jill's blog, uncategorized

Wow, 2011 is almost over?! Where did it go? I’ve seen a few of my favorite photogs posting their ‘best of’ shots of this past year and it has been fun to look at. I set out to do one of my own and it is a daunting task to go back and choose favorites. I limited myself to one (or 2) per session and I tried my best to choose shots I haven’t already blogged (but they are often my favorites!).

As I started browsing, in no particular order, trying to decide it it was worth the hours of searching – I caught myself laughing out loud before falling apart into tears. Each photo was a memory for me. I am in the business of making memories for other people and truth-be-told I have a personal attachment to each one. So, here they are. The are rarely the most technically accurate portraits, seldom the ones my clients choose for their “big print,” hardly ever the fan favorite – but they are the ones that speak to me and I’m hoping they will to you too.

Without further adieu, in random order (with watermarks placed in awkward spots since I batch edited them), here is my best of 2011…

There were sleeping babies…