I graduated as an art major and my main medium was photography. I started my own business doing photography for army wives and families but I've been wanting to get back into my art photography lately but it has been hard. I haven't had a specific idea or series to work towards so I've just taken random stuff. They are cool pictures but there is no cohesion so I feel like they aren't reaching their or my potential.

I've had a series topic bouncing around in my head and I figured there really isn't any better time than now to start working on it. Basically it explores the emotions and lives of army wives during deployment. I want to do it in black and white with color tinting that expresses the emotions of the moment.

The reason I need your help is because I would love to have excerpts from letters or journals to go along with the photos. I just want something that is maybe a line or two that just expresses the emotions from the day to day. I need to find women that are willing to help me out. I will read through all of the excerpts and then set up a photo to portray what they were feeling. I really want to take moments from real lives and translate that into something I can show "the world" so that maybe others can understand the ups and downs of this part of our lives. Basically I want to use the army wife's reality to inspire my series. I want happy and sad, confused and mad, numb and content, I want it all. I would really love if it was maybe part of an email or letter or was at least written "to your soldier."

If there are any male spouses or boyfriends out there interested, I want your stories too.

I want emotions from the newly wed that is going through their first deployment. I want stuff from new mom that had to face her pregnancy alone. I want stuff from the parent with young kids that has to explain why the other isn't coming home tonight. I want to hear the joys of first steps and first words coupled with the heartbreak that both parents weren't there to enjoy it. I want stories form the General's wife that has done this so many times she's lost count, but still misses her husband every night. I want officers and enlisted. I want the newbies to the retirees. I want to have a showing of all the the experiences I possibly can.

I'm not going to use any names or anything identifying. I just want to be able to tell people that these pictures were all based off of REAL situations and emotions. That these were real letters or writings from army wives. The "letters" that would accompany the pictures will probably be addressed something like "Baby, yada yada yada. Love, Me"

I hope to be able to find somewhere to actually have it on exhibit once it is done but that will be a ways off. However, if you have any ideas of a place that would let a NOBODY have an art exhibit, let me know.

I'll add a few excerpts that I have so far to give you an idea of what I'm looking for. Some are longer because they contain more of a story but most are just a couple lines. I really just need as many excerpts as I can get so that I can have plenty of ideas to choose from.

If you need better explanation or have nay questions at all please don't hesitate to email me at armywifeproject@gmail.com

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"Letters"

~ Today was a rough day. I only had to be at work for 3 hours. You called while I was there not doing anything... and I was not allowed to answer it. I had to watch it ring. At least I know you're alive...

~ I am loving my deployment bracelet. Again, cheesy, but I really like the constant weight of it on my wrist. I love that every time I look down at it, I think about you.

~ I played Mario kart today and I think I could become addicted. I found myself making Rrr...rrrr...rrr.. noises as I drove and getting very frustrated that my car kept hitting walls. I shall practice more and get good at it so I can beat you when you get home.

"Journal Entries"

~ The hubs sent me FLOWERS. I'm headed to bed now completely content...I have a hubby who loves me, friends who take care of me, and two pups to cuddle with. What a life!

Pope Hill Photography