K. Z. Wentzel Photography

This Air Force retirement was the perfect blend of unapologetic roasts and emotional reflections. The stories this honoree and his friends could tell - wow! You could tell he's had a robust career and developed many deep, life-long friendships. What a legacy.

Laughing through life! ❤️

I am so excited that The Lincoln Memorial is once again a beautiful backdrop for portraits! 😍 I can’t think of a better session to commemorate the occasion than this young Navy couple celebrating serving in the same service now that one cross-commissioned!

This area was a really fun place to play around with different angles and natural frames!

What a lovely Mother’s Day session in the Enid A. Haupt Garden behind the Smithsonian Castle. 🌸

I am such a sucker for all of the pomp and circumstance of a Marine Corps retirement ceremony! 🥺 It's often hard to keep it together behind-the-lens as these proud service members are relieved of duty. Congratulations to this family on a job well done!

You know you’re in for a great retirement celebration when you approach the spot where you're scheduled to meet an honoree and her family and you're greeted by a crowd of at least 35 smiling faces! 😁 This amazing Senior Master Sergeant finished out her career with a standing ovation from an absolutely packed house in the auditorium at Mt. Vernon. She has clearly touched a lot of lives and will continue to do so as she moves on to a new career in advocacy. Congratulations!!!

This year’s Dutch Remembrance Day ceremony at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands was so moving. They coordinated with the national moment of silence in Europe, commemorating when the allied troops helps liberate the Netherlands from the German occupation in WWII. One of the highlights was hearing some young students from the Dutch school in the area read a poem they wrote for the occasion. They are truly honoring our country’s legacies of friendship and selfless service.

What a wonderful promotion ceremony at the Military Women's Memorial in Arlington! It was extra special because this deserving new colonel was promoted by her grandfather! What a legacy of military service.

Wildflowers. 🌼