Come along on this beautiful day in Hawaii as I photograph Chaplain Lawrence’s promotion ceremony on an Army boat!
A Promotion Ceremony with Blue Skies
The evenings are chilly for Hawaii lately, but this warm January morning helped me thaw out. I’ve visited the Missing Man monument many times and found today to be the perfect sunny day to wander the static display before meeting up at the celebration for Chaplain Lawrence. It’s a great place to watch the planes land at the Honolulu Airport.
My favorite part about being a photographer is the adventure it takes me on. As the daughter of a Navy corpsman and wife of an airman, I’ve been aboard various military craft. This day as a photographer brought me to an Army boat docked at the entrance of Pearl Harbor. As I boarded the Army boat for the promotion ceremony, the ship’s captain greeted me, and I was excited to see we would be out in natural light for the ceremony.
Promotion Ceremony lighting challenges
Natural light is always my favorite to capture the day. This day was challenging as it was not the glowing golden hour of a Hawaiian sunset. Instead, it was in the harsh light of the high noon sun. I have never shied away from finding great light in these conditions while taking photos of my family because you can never predict when a beach trip will strike your fancy here in Hawaii, and it’s better to capture the moment than to wait for perfect conditions. So, it seemed only natural to adjust my expectations, dig into my photography experience, and create with the light I have for this promotion ceremony!
During the promotion ceremony, the Lawrence family switched Chaplain Lawrence’s old rank on his uniform to his new rank. These are my favorite moments to capture at military ceremonies since the whole family can participate. Military family life is not all about one person but everyone working as a team.
Promotion Ceremony and Leis
The gifted leis Chaplain Lawrence received were plentiful and beautiful! The various colors and textures always give me room to ponder how long it may have taken for the hands that made them. Lei giving is one of many Hawaiian traditions I will miss as we prepare to move in the next year. If you’re looking for a great lei maker, I love Harriet’s Lei Stand just outside the Honolulu Airport.
I’m grateful to be included in the celebration of Chaplain Lawrence! The appointment of a chaplain is a high honor and a great responsibility, but by the kind words of all his supporters in attendance, I believe he is off to a great beginning in his new rank as a Major in the Army.
Are you looking for a photographer to cover your military ceremony so you can enjoy the special occasion? Contact me so I can capture this day for you!
