Usually I put the text below my images when I post pictures on this blog, but I wanted to preface this collection of images with a few words. Today is November 11th and it is no ordinary day at all. Today is the United States of America’s Veteran’s Day. Today is a day that should be spent celebrating those who have served to protect our great country; especially those who have given the ultimate sacrifice: their life. Today is a reminder that our freedom is not free… our freedom comes with a heavy price and it should never be taken for granted. On August 29th 2010 Marine Sgt. Floyd Holley was killed during his third tour of duty in the Middle East. On October 14th 2010 his first child, a Daughter named Sienna, was born. It’s undeniable… Sienna has brought a kind of happiness to this world that was truly needed more than ever. It’s my hope that these pictures help celebrate the courageous life of Marine Sgt. Floyd Holley and his beautiful family who have endured so much. To those that have served and those that are currently serving our great country: Thank you. Carrie and I both agreed that we found it difficult to write about Sienna, because none of our words seemed sufficient, but in my mind… there are no need for the “perfect” words, because the pictures speak for themselves..jpg "newborn baby photography by Brittany Woodall and Carrie Sandoval")
.jpg "newborn baby photography by Brittany Woodall and Carrie Sandoval")
.jpg "newborn baby photography by Brittany Woodall and Carrie Sandoval")
Sienna: Your Daddy loves you and he is watching over you. For more information on how you can help Sienna’s family please email our studio manager Jen at Jen@babyasart.com. To keep things more organized please title the email “Sienna”.
Sienna | A gift of hope and healing
Jessica - It’s difficult to comment on these images in a way that doesn’t feel trite. What an amazing legacy Sgt. Holley has left behind. Beautiful.
kristin - speachless. thank you for sharing.
Kim Harms - These are beautiful… what a incredibly sad, yet very touching, story!
Sheryl - I am in complete tears! What a wonderful capture. Thoughts and prayers for the family…
Summer - Jessica’s words are perfect. Blessings to this sweet baby and her beautiful momma.
Jenni Williams - I just don’t think words could express… The pictures are gorgeous. What an amazing family.
Alicia {ALT Designs} - This got me a little teary eyed. Really stunning photos of a beautiful family. My heart goes out to Sienna and her mom and I hope their strength and love takes them leaps and bounds.
Sarah Backstrom - What a beautiful tribute! I am in tears too. My thoughts and prayers with this family. Thank you for sharing!
Peta - Ohhh…so very touching, so beautiful.
Melanie - Breathtaking – my prayers are with them all
Tweets that mention Sienna | A gift of hope and healing | Baby as Art -- Topsy.com - [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Caroline Fogg, Carrie Sandoval and Carrie Sandoval, Carrie Sandoval. Carrie Sandoval said: I think these are, without a doubt, some of the most powerful images I have taken… Thank you to all who serve… http://fb.me/NhUQKJlV [...]
Nia - Just beautiful!!! God bless this family. My thoughts and prayers are with them.
Jaime - What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful girl and her daddy. I’m in tears. I can’t imagine what a bittersweet experience this must be for mom.
kamieo - I have been waiting for this post. I am sobbing. My heart goes out to her family and all Military.
Rhonda Duron - Speechless and in tears. God bless this family and the amazing hero who was lost.
annie - so so wonderful, tears, sadness and happiness at the same time mwahhhhh
stephanie - how sweet, how sad, how touching. beautiful.
Kelley - can’t see through the tears! Beautiful images Carrie and Britt. Thoughts and prayers to the family!
Penny - I’m in tears here too…beautiful baby girl, such a sad story. Thank you to her Daddy for serving our great country, my thoughts and prayers are with the family. She will treasure these images. That last one took my breath away and made the flood gates open.
Nichole Burnett - Absolutely beautiful!
Jenica - such a beautiful story. Thank you and thank you to her daddy for making the ultimate sacrifice. We are forever grateful to our veterans.
Simone Carter - What a beautiful little girl born to beautiful parents – they made the ultimate sacrafice and her daddy will indeed be watching over her.
Annie - wow. just wow.
Vanessa Paris - Shared on Facebook by Annie Jones @Funky Photography (Australia) – I’m so glad she did, no words, just tears (lots of tears), Vx
Cindie in Texas - Blessings to this precious family. Tears streaming…
Ingrid - I am overcome with tears by this post. Beautiful and emotional.
Heather Esposito - An amazing, moving tribute. Thanks so much for sharing. I re-shared on my facebook fanpage – http://www.facebook.com/esposphotos.
Michelle Johnson - tears falling
thank you for sharing, they are beautiful images
Lisa - Much love and prayers to Sienna and her family. My heart goes out to them in this time of loss, and a mere “thank you” to her daddy for his sacrifice isn’t nearly enough. Gorgeous, powerful photographs.
jennie gaskins - I can’t hold back the tears! Thanks for sharing her story!!
Hope - What wonderful images. Image the family can treasure forever.
jaime lackey - undeniable….
newborn photography baby photographer san diego california | Captured by Carrie - [...] of my words seem worthy enough. Thankfully, Britt has put together a heartfelt blog post on the Baby as Art blog. Please visit to read about Sienna and her courageous family. Thank you for looking! image © [...]
amy b - Those dog tags, your words, mama wrapped in the flag,and all of the sweet smiles…very moving. love.
Robin Long - Oh my goodness…this brought tears to my eyes! What a very special day and a very special little girl. Love the ones with the dog tags….priceless
rachael - i was bawling by picture 3. how incredibly moving.
Amy Dana - I needed a good cry tonight. What a beautiful baby girl. There are no words that can express the gratitude I feel for their ultimate sacrifice. We sleep safe at night because of her courageous daddy. What an honor to be his daughter.
Nikkah De Guzman - Speechless!!! a very touching story! An experience that will be treasured forever!
Christy Synfelt - Speechless! No amount of words will ever express the sorrow all who loved Floyd feel on this day! Thank you for capturing the beauty that is life and the life he gave this world as his gift! God Bless Sienna, Chrissy, Alyssa and Drew!!!
Dorothy - Wow! Absolutely beautiful images & very touching story. What an amazing gift you’ve given this family!!
Matt Nicolosi - As a soon-to-be dad with our first little one on the way, this story and it’s accompanying images are both heartbreaking and full of hope. Thanks for sharing this touching story.
Cathy Short - Amazing..these pictures are just pure beauty. Thank you for sharing this with us. Love you guys.
Diane-DB Impressions - I too feel as though no words are ever going to be enough. I hope this sweet, young family finds so much healing and peace in their little angel, and I hope Sienna feels her father’s love as she grows. Beautiful images.
Melanie Bergeson - I see him in her…her sweet, funny smirk…It will light up the room like his did. He is so missed, she is so loved…how it makes my heart hurt but so full at the same time….that, and I want to kiss her teeny toes.
Corrie - God bless that sweet baby and her family.
Nicole Landgrebe - That last image is pure and so patriotic…… LOVE <3
lindey - i have been awaiting this share and am so moved by what you girls captured. what a blessing baby girl sienna is and such a legacy to her father who i am so grateful to for sacrificing his life for my family’s freedom. sienna, her beautiful momma and all our brave men & women in uniform are in my prayers.
Lest we Forget ~ an amazing post by two fabulous photographers - [...] you find this post helpful? Yes | No by Baby as Art just a beautiful blog post xxx Life Just Got a Little Bit Funky! Reply With Quote [...]
maureen cassidy - I think you have us all crying! Thanks for the post and amazing photographs.
Amber - Absolutely beautiful. The tag brought tears to my eyes. I pray for the family and for those who serve.
Becca - My heart goes out to Sienna’s family. Beautiful images.
karen linnell - thank you for sharing this. the last image gave me the chills. haunting and beautiful. Thank you to Sgt. Holley for the ultimate sacrifice.
toni e - thank you sienna’s daddy. not a day goes by where our family isn’t grateful for your service. thank you sienna’s mommy for letting your husband protect us… people he doesn’t even know, and thank you sienna. you will forever have a special angel watching over you, looking out for you, and loving you. someday he will see you and wrap his arms around you. and he will tell you of all the wonderful things you’ve done and how he loves you. I’m sure of it. from the bottom of my heart… thank you.
Rachel (Piper_H) - Beautiful photos.
As a citizen of the country Marine Sgt. Floyd Holley died in service of I am eternally grateful. As a parent I am incredibly angry that he will never know the joy of watching his daughter grow-up. And as a daughter, I am so very sad because his child deserved the moments with her father that every little girl wants.
His family will be in my thoughts.
gena - beautiful!
Tamra Hyde - Absolutely beautiful! My heart goes out to sweet Sienna and her family.
Christy Johnson - Beautiful images and a beautiful tribute. Thanks to Sienna’s daddy and all of the family for their ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Tara McGlinchey - Oh my goodness, how incredibly sad. The photos are amazing. May God bless baby Sienna.
Cynthia Skilling - Gramma loves you Sienna. You are a gift from god.
Susan - I could not stop the tears while viewing your great images. I have a brother over there as a civilian working with the military, and had to leave his 4 children and his last son was born on June 18th, and he left about 3 weeks after the birth. I really hope that you will do “pictures threw the years” on this beautiful baby.
god bless them both!
renee - no words. just tears and prayers. thank you for sharing.
Chad Beland - May GOD Bless Sienna and her family.
Debbie - I shared on facebook. I have always LOVED your art. But todays message is so strong, both in text and in photos. You inspire me…….
Laura Brett - What a beautiful tribute, stunning as always. Thoughts and prayers be with Sienna and her family.
alpana - goreous…no words are needed! A wonderful tribute to a brave soldier.
Kelli Potter - I can’t even see the screen. So powerful, and emotional. Beautiful job! Love every one.
Peggy McAloon - As the tears fall, I write this…peace and beauty that only a child can portray.
Cheryl - Words cannot describe…Just precious
Leila Hunt - just tears… how blessed they are to have Sienna as a constant reminder and a little piece of her brave Daddy. I am so sorry and saddened she will never know him. Thank you Floyd for protecting us
Doris Engisch - Tears are falling. Such touching and moving photography to capture such a beautiful and hopeful time. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Deepest sympathy.
Nicole - Absolutely speechless. Beautiful tribute to Sienna’s daddy. Thank you for your service and for making the biggest sacrifice for my personal freedom.
Tonya Riggs - Beautiful, moving images! Especially the last one for me.
Anne - God Bless him, God bless his beautiful family, and God Bless America. What a legacy of true faith, service and sacrifice. Words cannot describe gratefulness at times like these.
Sue - I am crying my eyes out. SO TOUCHING. SO incredibly powerful !
Lizet - amazing…. speechless – god bless them!
brenda knight - I am welling up in tears as i look thru these photos. These images are beautiful and powerful. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
karen simons - beautiful, beautiful ! ( i think her daddy was tickling her in some of these !)
Miranda - Thank you to her Daddy, and to her mommy for allowing him to perform such a heroic duty.
These pictures are just, flawless and here, too, tears are falling.
God bless them, their family, and all others who sacrifice for us. Prayers are with them all!
Shannon Wight - I’m in total agreement…most powerful images yet. Brought tears to my eyes and a sigh to my heart. Thank you for sharing.
elizabeth pellette - I have no words other than to thank this family for their incredible sacrifice.. we are all thankful for the service of Marine Sgt. Floyd Holley, and there are truly no words other than to say Thank You. his service, and sacrafice will never be forgotten.
Mrs. Muffins - As a Marine wife, I know all too well the fear of having “the knock at the door” and my heart aches over and over again when I read and hear stories like this. I wish there were something I could do or say to ease the pain… but I’m glad he’s watching over her and always will. *Semper Fidelis*
xx
Anya Wait - Big hugs to baby Sienna and her mama. Your family gave the ultimate sacrifice to our country and for that we thank you. On a side note, my husband passed away this summer leaving 8 children. After her daddy died, my daughter (13) wrote on her facebook page “I did not lose my daddy, my daddy is in my heart and will always be with me” … know that your husband and Sienna’s dad is always with you. In your heart, in your memories, in your daughter’s laughter, her smile, her personality, and ultimately her heart. big hugs to both of you…
Ashlee @ Ashlee Lauren Photography - Your photography is BEAUTIFUL and these pictures are particularly touching!
Richard - do the service men actually get to see these kind of pics…they are stunning well done!
Erica Clements - Best wishes to this beautiful little girl. What an honor to know that your Daddy served his country. I love how you both have incorporated SGT Holley into these portraits.
Kari Layland - These are so touching – just beautiful…
Holly Olsen - Gorgeous baby! She is indeed a ray of sunshine. Beautiful.
Kirsten - Still in tears as I write. Best wishes to Sienna and her mum.
Gena D - I have goose bumps reading this post – how special!!!!
Leigh - As a new Army wife & aspiring photographer, your pictures of Sienna immediately caught my eye. I initially thought, “wow…what a great idea…what a great way to shoot military babies, especially if their dads are deployed, etc.” It was very meaningful to me. However, it took on a whole new meaning when I read Sienna’s story and found out that her father had not only passed away, but was killed during deployment. My heart breaks for this beautiful baby and her beautiful mother. Your words and pictures are a beautiful tribute to them and to the husband and father who is missing from these images. Simply beautiful. There really are no words. Stunning, heartfelt, and deep. That’s what these images are. Thank you for posting them, and thank you to this family for their military service and sacrifice. May God bless them abundantly and watch over them.