Meet Adrea

Cadet life at a Military College or Academy is unlike any other college or university. Your son or daughter chose to pursue the most rigorous academic and physical challenge of their life, which has now well-prepared them for outstanding achievement in our armed services and the private sector.

From the moment your child matriculated to the day he or she graduates and perhaps commissions, they have been writing their unique story of deep testing, perseverance and success with friendships that will endure for a lifetime.

I am a wedding photographer. I also happen to be a mom to a VMI graduate who is now an officer in the United States Marine Corps, as well as a current cadet who will commission in the United States Marine Corps.

I wanted to photograph my son and his roommates at their favorite places on post, at Parents Weekend, during Parade – simply capturing their unique experiences as a cadet at a senior military college. Other parents saw my pictures and asked me to photograph their cadets, too. That was the beginning of Cadet Portraits. Since 2016, I've had the privilege of photographing over 1,000 cadets on three different campuses.

My portraits tell their amazing stories without words. I create a unique combination of environmental and formal studio portraits - capturing their experiences and the connections they have to their school, the traditions, the bonds of friendship and experiences that even their grandchildren will want to know.