Last month, I had the privilege of photographing an incredible event where over 40 military spouses came together for the 5th “More Than a MilSpouse Summit” at the USO Warrior and Family Center on Fort Belvoir. This unique event was far more than just a networking opportunity. The Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs (AMSE), founded by Active Duty Air Force spouse Moni Jefferson in 2019, is geared towards educating and empowering military spouses to have the tools and resources they need to launch and grow successful businesses.
I loved capturing this day — the energy in the room was so fun and encouraging, and each presentation was inspiring and thought-provoking. Some of the speakers and attendees flew in from as far as Europe to attend this event!
The Summit began with a powerful keynote address by James D. Rodriguez, Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) at the U.S. Department of Labor. There was also a series of panels with questions from the audience, covering topics that ranged from financial stability to mindset shifts to marketing strategies and everything in between.
During the lunch hour break, I was able to capture headshots for all of the attendees — perfect for updating a LinkedIn profile photo or making an introductory post on social media! It was such a joy to capture their vibrant personalities (and outfits) in a professional way.
The afternoon included an exciting pitch competition. Military spouses at various stages of their entrepreneurial journeys got to share ideas to receive expert advice as well as grants to fund their businesses.
The winner, Christina Kimbrough, is the founder of Free Life, a non-alcoholic pop up bar that hosts events and aims to cultivate experiences without alcohol and change the toxic culture around drinking.
Finally, the day wrapped up with the presentation of the AMSE’s Military Spouse Entrepreneur Award, sponsored by the Military Times. The award was presented to Simone Atkinson, founder of Kid-Friendly Tours, a travel agency specializing in crafting adult-centric itineraries with thoughtful accommodations for children, something that is great for military spouses who find it difficult to travel with their partner’s work or deployment schedule.
For those who couldn’t attend, AMSE invites military spouses to connect with them on social media @AMSEAgency. You can also explore the benefits of their FREE membership. AMSE is committed to empowering military spouses to achieve their entrepreneurial goals by providing support and resources to Start, Scale, and Sustain their businesses. They have local chapters as well as virtual gatherings to connect with like-minded individuals.
As a fellow military spouse with my own photography business, I’m no stranger to the complexities of moving my business across the country (PCS season, anyone?) so having a community that “gets it” is extremely valuable. I was happy to be a part of this event, and so thankful to Moni for booking me to cover her big day!
Here’s what she had to say about our work together:
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“I recently had the pleasure of working with Marisa for our in-person event, and we couldn’t be happier with the results! From start to finish, the experience was seamless and enjoyable.
She arrived on time and was fully prepared to capture every moment. Her professionalism and attention to detail were evident throughout the event. The photographs we received were beautifully edited, showcasing Marisa’s talent and eye for detail. Each image was vibrant, clear, and perfectly captured the essence of our event. She captured candid, meaningful moments. She managed to photograph the spirit and energy of the event in a way that felt natural and unposed.
It was a breeze to work with her and easy to communicate with, open to our ideas, and offered valuable suggestions to enhance our vision. Her friendly demeanor made everyone feel comfortable and at ease.
We wholeheartedly recommend Marisa for any event. Her dedication, skill, and passion for photography shine through in every shot. We are thrilled with the outcome and look forward to working with her again in the future.
In short I would HIRE AGAIN!”
Interested in booking me to photograph your next event?
