Matt Becomes A Mustang
It was almost two years ago when Kim contacted me to take their family pictures in Williamsburg for the first time. I immediately fell in love with their family dynamic and their banter between each other. Each member of their family has a distinct and completely different personality and yet they all compliment each other so well. I have since shot another round of family pictures for them and have come to think of them as more than clients. When Kim told me Matt was being commissioned, I was over the moon happy for them. When she asked me to photograph this moment for them, well, honored doesn't seem to fit how I felt. I was truly stoked.
Matt has spent the last 17 years of his life dedicated to serving his country. He's worked his way up the ranks one step at a time. While serving his country and doing what he needed to do, he still found time to get an education. He was able to get attain his Bachelor's Degree of Science in Marketing and will receive his Master's Degree in Supply Chain and Acquisitions Management in May. Did I mention he is also a loyal and faithful family man with a wonderful wife Kim who he has been married to for 13 incredible years and three amazing children, Sydney (17), William (13) and Brady (7). It wasn't a huge surprise when Kim told me he was being commissioned. I mean, after all, look at the kind of man that he is and the example he has consistently shown to his fellow shipmates.
Then Kim gave me a bonus. She had a "special guest" that would be in attendance. Just so happens it was a celebrity and one I am a fan of. Mr. Tony Lucca was a member of Disney's Mickey Mouse Club many years ago and more currently was a contestant on The Voice. I have loved his music for sometime now and was super excited to get to meet him and super excited for Kim and Matt (who are SUPER FANS) of his. What a cool thing to have this great musician be apart of their special moment. It was a cool moment to meet Tony but an even cooler moment when he sang a song that he wrote for Kim and Matt called "The Wife of a Sailor". Check it out here:
It was a beautiful, symbolic ceremony aboard the USS Wisconsin and a great time had by all at the wetting down at the really great little place called the Smartmouth Brewery. The cake was made by Carolina Cupcakery and the catering was provided by Kim and Matt's neighbor, Tony Camacho who has a service called Personal Chefs In A Box. I highly recommend both of these vendors. The food provided was absolutely delicious and well laid out. Many thanks to Kim and Matt for allowing me to capture this special day for them and for allowing me to be a very small part in their life story. They are now in the process of packing up to move to the West Coast. I am very sad to see them go but I know, without a doubt, that we will stay in touch. These aren't just clients of mine. These are my friends. Fair winds and following seas to the Compton Family as they start this next adventure.
