I love being apart of the Marine Corps (by association of course).
I was able to photograph this ceremony solely because close community stretched across the globe. A friend from Okinawa, knew this family from TBS (The Basic School) 10 years ago, who was looking for a photographer in the DC area. A call on Facebook and bam, we connected.
The thing about a War Memorial on a Saturday is tour busses – full and frequent! Just about every bus was full of Veterans. Seeing three Marines in their Blues got them excited! They were celebrities shaking hands and taking photos with everyone.
After ceremony and group photos, another tour bus rolled in. It was an Honor Flight with a Veteran of Iwo Jima! Iwo Jima is what inspired the US Marine Corps War Memorial… and the movie Flags of Our Fathers. Scroll to the bottom to see their meet & greet!
Side note: Photographically speaking it’s been argued that had the flag pole in the original image not be at angle (ie if i was completely vertical or completely horizontal), the image would not have sparked such support and patriotism that it did. Its the action of the angled line that gives it power and gusto
A pinning ceremony is when someone is promoted, pinning on new rank. (Do other services call it something else??) In this particular ceremony Maj Constance was being promoted from Captain (Company Grade) to Major (Field Grade) which included change his cover (hat) from Company Grade to Field Grade.
Family gets to participate – or whoever the Marine decides/ask to pin him. Usually senior personnel or a spouse does the pinning (because there’s two rank pins – one on each side). In many cases a son or daughter participates too. In this case it was all three.
Most pinnings are done in a conference room with immediate family. Or maybe in a field over looking the Pacific Ocean if you’re Okinawa. My hub’s was under the armory shelter where they clean the weapons.
This one wins for pomp and circumstance!
I'm a South Carolina native, USMC spouse, and recovering homeschool mama of a four boy circus. Bring me your crazy!
After 11 years of photographing families all over the world, I've realized my clients aren't printing their images. We go through all this work to get dressed, coordinated and then let those photos die on the hard drive.
No more!
There's nothing easy about family photos but I'm here to help you with every step from what to wear to printed in your hands whether thats an album or wall art. I want you to Make your people the rock star of your house!
You'll be reminded of what really matters every day when you see the giant prints of your crew laughing on your walls every. single. day.
Currently stationed in Virginia Beach, Virginia photographing families all over the Hampton Roads area from Suffolk, Norfolk, Chesapeake and the Eastern Shore all the way to Portsmouth and Elizabeth City!
Follow along on the Gram at @alisonbellphotog or reach out today!
I find joy in chaos. The louder, the better! I'm a USMC spouse, South Carolina native, recovering homeschool mama of a 4 boy circus. They've taught me the most important facet of family photography: KEEP IT FUN!
