Nicki Bursae Photography

Congratulations to the Martin family on their Change of Command! I was personally struck by the immense amount of support this couple received from command team they were turning over with. True happiness and excitement for everyone all around! I also love the way island traditions are incorporated into military ceremonies here on Oahu. A pleasure to document!

Which moment is more intense? Your first kiss as a married couple or the first kiss after months of deployment? The moments that unravel during military homecomings can not be staged, which is exactly why I shoot them! #militarywife,#militarylove,#militarycouple,#militaryfamily,#deployment,#imcominghome,#militaryhomecoming,#deploymenthomecoming,#tearsofjoy,#marinehomecoming,#fighterpilot,#pilotwifelife,#USMAfamily,#usmclife,#lovingmyhero,#hawaiiphotographer,#oahuphotographer,#oahumilitaryphotographer,#nickibursaephotography,#homecomings_bynickibursae

Can you still shoot in the dark? In the middle of the night in the lot where we park? Yes! I can shoot you here or there. I can shoot you anywhere! #thankyouforyourservice,#kbay,#mcbh,#militarylove,#militarycouple,#deployment,#imcominghome,#militaryhomecoming,#deploymenthomecoming,#tearsofjoy,#marinehomecoming,#usmclife,#lovingmyhero,#hawaiiphotographer,#oahuphotographer,#oahumilitaryphotographer,#nickibursaephotography,#homecomings_bynickibursae,#deploymentsucks,#nightphotos,#nightphotography,#militarygirlfriend

#nickibursaephotography,#homecoming_bynickibursae, #militarylove,#militaryfamily, #milspouse,#militaryhomecoming,#deployment,#deploymentsucks,#deploymentstrong,#deploymenthomecoming,#tearsofjoy,#hawaiiphotograopher,#oahuphotographer,#shaka,#homecomingsign,#bestdayever

Over the years it has been fascinating to capture the range of emotions kids have to a parent returning from deployment, and how much these reactions can differ by age. Babies have no idea what is going on. Young toddlers often look at mom or dad through furrowed brows, as if you say "I know you, but I'm still not so sure about you." Imagine a parent leaving for half a year or more during the first couple of years of your life! Facetime can not replace physical touch. Teenag...ers, especially boys, often attempt to veil and muffle their excitement. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED my friends! As a photographer it's exercise in observation, patience and stealth maneuvering to catch teenage anticipation, excitement and even tears! This image really represents a sweet spot when it comes to kids. These two have such distinctive personalities, yet they are at an age where they still express love and excitement without reservation! She can not contain the energy pumping through her body. He looks like his favorite team just scored a touchdown! I LOVE IT! #militarywife,#militarylove,#militaryfamily,#deployment,#deploymentsucks,#tearsofjoy,#deploymentstrong,#militaryhomecoming,#MarineCorps,#usmclife,#hawaiiphotographer,#oahuphotographer,#lovingmyhero,#kbay,#mcbh,#nickibursaephotography,#homecomings_bynickibursae,#hawaiimilitaryphotographer

The new wedding and portrait website is very closed to being finished Stay tuned. Also, it's looking like I may be coming to San Diego this spring to shoot

How do you wait? What do you during the time before BEDTIME? The wait must be EXCRUCIATING! This question was directed to my husband’s squadron mate a week prior to them returning from 7 months in Iraq. His question pertained to Marines with families. Marines coming home from deployment to their spouse, as well as a house full of kiddos. At the time, we did NOT have children, and after months apart we barely made it through the front door! I’m not sorrythat’s the way it ...was back then, and many military couples will relate. 4 kids later, homecomings from deployments and detachments are followed with a kind of subtle dance of pawing at one another. This dance flirtatiously continues until the last child is in bed (which is inevitably the LATEST THEY HAVE EVER STAYED UP, due to the novelty of daddy being home). Ahhhhhh!!!!! The truth is, it’s not as much of a challenge as either my husband and I had thought it would be years ago. Child free me did not realize that there is nothing more intimate and attractive than watching your partner reunite with your children. There is nothing more uniting and emotional than seeing them gush over your kids, hold them, cry for them, breath their sent in, and be reminded that only the two of you share the depth of that love. This image is of a father being reunited with his only daughter. His wife was not far behind, but she held back and beamed as their little lady was swept up into the air. I documented, as his wife’s hair was swept up by the wind. She looked absolutely gorgeous and their eyes would lock as he cuddled their child. 9 times out of 10, I witness spouses make one last deployment sacrifice in making sure their children are the first to run into their father or mother's arms after a deployment. It is selfless. It is joyful. It is beautiful. #militarywife,#militarylove,#militaryfamily,#deployment,#deploymentsucks,#helloagain,#deploymentstrong,#militaryhomecoming,#MarineCorps,#usmclife,#hawaiiphotographer,#oahuphotographer,#lovingmyhero,#kbay,#mcbh,#nickibursaephotography,#homecomings_bynickibursae

I LOVE this image I shot it on assignment in 2010 and it’s still one of my favorites. Unfortunately, there is a NOT SO FUNNY story attached to it. At the time, I was dragging around my gear in my beloved grandfather's camera bag from the mid 1980's. I used this thing all through college, as well as my first few years shooting professionally. It was literally falling apart, but I couldn’t give it up. Let me speed this story up through a very basic summarizationafter seve...ral hours of shooting, it was time to pack up and leave. I CAN'T FIND MY CAR KEY. The key to my Jetta is GONE. I retrace my steps many times. NOTHING. Not only can I not drive myself home, but I know there is a possibility it’s on the actual flight line. DANGER. Fast forward to the squadron performing several FOD walks and no key! Flight schedule is cancelled for the day due to un-located FOD. I had to get a ride home, and I could barely look anyone in the eye. I was there to document very specific aspects of their operations and ended up shutting down their operations! The key was in the FU***** LINING of my old ass camera bag!! I found it the next day and have no idea how it separated from the rest of the key chain. The images were solid. THE END. #aviation,#thankyouforyourservice,#navyfamily,#mh53,#navyhomecoming,#flynavy,#navyhelicopter,#femalephotojournalist,#militaryhomecoming,#militaryphotographer,#oahumilitaryphotographer,#nickibursaephotography,#homecomong_bynickibursae,#editorialphotographer,#aviationphotography#FlyNavy,#militaryaviation,#militaryaircraft,#hawaiimilitarylife, #flightline, #oahuphotographer,#hawaiiphotographer, #kbay, #mcbh