Military Life

I met up with the Tamulonis family at the end of my very last week in Tampa, Florida. It had been raining in and off all week and we had already rescheduled our session due to rain once earlier in the month. Florida summers are not just days full of fun in the sun. It rains.. A LOT. But it could be raining one minute and then 15 minutes later the sun is shinning again. Making the risk of my camera getting caught in the rain all worth it. Kadie and all 5 of the guys in her life. Kadie mentioned to me that they hadn't had family photos together since their third son Liam was 3. That means they had no family photos with sweet little Mason who is now 4!

Unfortunately military life can do that to you. Your other had may be deployed often or for long periods of time. In fact my own husband has been deployed every year for the last 3 years every six months. I went thru so much in just 6 months including a pregnancy. My husband has deployed shortly after we found out about little Thea. But I can not imagine going thru what this incredible family went thru. Mark was deployed for an entire year this past year. It was Masons first experience with school, he was in my daughter Adaline's VPK class. In the military you sacrifice a lot to protect your country. Many of these sacrifices are not being there for big moments in your families life. He returned home just at the corona virus was closing down the world. There was a moment they weren't even sure he was going to come home due to the travel bans.

Finally reunited I knew I had to capture them and wouldn't let the Florida rain stop us! We met up at Cypress Point park. A surprising little beach spot not to far from the Tampa Airport. After a round of smiles and posing the boys took turns doing back flips in the water and relaxing on palm trees in true Florida fashion.

It was so very important to me to give Kadie and Mark Tamulonis some photos alone during our family session together These two were certainly put to the test this past year. I just wanted to show case their love for each other and give them both something to look back on. Kadie was an absolute trooper doing what she had to do for her boys, for her self, and for Mark while they all worked pushed thru the year until they could be together again.

Military life is a lot like the summer storm looming in the background. You often see it coming in the distance. You enjoy all the moments you can together waiting for the rain to come down. When it final rains you run for shelter, you turn inside yourself hiding your despair from your children waiting for the storm to pass again. And it does. The rain finally stops and you can dance hand in hand and the storm becomes and sprinkle and the sun eventually shines again.

Family at Cypress Pointe Park after a year long military deployment
Couple embracing on beach dunes with sea oats swaying in foreground.
Beach family portrait with coastal dunes and ocean backdrop.
Family of four standing together on white sand beach with ocean view.
A romantic couple sharing an intimate moment outdoors while dressed in casual summer attire.
A young boy in a white polo shirt smiling at the beach on a cloudy day.
A person in a turquoise shirt crouching on a sandy beach with the ocean and skyline in the background.
A joyful child splashing in the shallow ocean water while wearing a white shirt and blue shorts.
A tender moment between parent and child sitting on a wooden dock by the ocean.
A person in a white henley shirt sitting on the beach with a coastal skyline in the background.
A family holding hands while standing together on a wooden dock by the ocean.
Two people sitting on a wooden dock with the ocean and city skyline in the background.
An intimate family moment captured on a dock overlooking the ocean.
A heartwarming waterfront portrait showing a parent and child sitting together on a dock in casual summer attire.
A family of four sitting casually on a wooden dock overlooking the water.
A couple sits casually on a wooden dock by the water on a bright summer day.
A joyful couple shares a tender moment together in shallow tropical waters.

P.S

If you are wondering how Kadie looks like she drinks out of the fountain of youth.. I'm not jealous... Okay I totally am. She works hard to empower herself, and her family thru hard work and a clean eating life style. Check her out at

Kadie Tamulonis

Fitness | Food | Family | Fun