Jetting Around For USO Stories: Part 1, NYC

I forgot how much I loved traveling for work. Seeing new places, meeting new people, being out of the office -- it's one of the many things that makes my job at the USO so wonderful.

But until last week, for nearly half of 2015, I hadn't had the opportunity to travel beyond the DC metro area to report a story since 2014. Needless to say, when my boss asked me if I could hit the road for a week to capture stories in NYC and Fort Leonard Wood, MO, I was more than ready to pack my bags and get back into the field.

I started off my marathon work travel week in NYC, where, in addition to capture a video story and writing a blog about OTMD, the adult leg of the USO Operation That's My Dress program, I got to spend time with my friend Tara, who I met playing softball at GW.

In addition to hanging out with her and her fiance on Friday night, the Saturday before I had to work, we wandered around Brooklyn for a bit, which I had never done before.

I even got to introduce Tara to another one of my close friends who lives in NYC during dinner on Saturday evening, which made me really happy.

Sidenote; I'm a big believer that, if my work schedule allows it, I should always try to squeeze in time to grab dinner or a drink with friends, colleagues or acquaintances who live in the area I'm visiting. It really makes work trips seem like much more than a plane trip and another night in a hotel room, savvy?

Anyway, back to the weekend. On Sunday, after a wonderful first half of the weekend with friends, I put on my working shoes on and headed the USO's launch of OTMD, the adult leg of the USO Operation That's My Dress program. Basically OTMD, along with its sister program, provides women in the military and military spouses a special day of pampering and fashion where they get to select and take home a FREE designer gown of their choice. Think Sherri Hill, Ralph Lauren and Ann Taylor -- for FREE! How cool is that?

To give you a better idea of what the program is all about, take a look at the video I shot and put together about the day. It'll put things into perspective.

Anyway, after shooting the video and having a ball at OTMD, I headed back to Penn Station to travel back to Washington, D.C. so I could jump on the next leg of my travel week adventure...

Shooting Idina Menzel's USO Meet-And-Greet with Military Families in NYC

So I've had to keep this under wraps for a while, but a few weeks ago, I interviewed a big big star.

Think music. Think dance. Think...FROZEN.

Yup, you guessed it. I got to interview the amazing Broadway superstar Idina Menzel for the USO! I know, I know. So cool, right?

#FlashbackFriday: That time I got to interview @IdinaMenzel for @theuso about the morning she spent with #milfams. #usocareers #everymomentcounts #nyc

A photo posted by Sandi Moynihan (@sandimoynihan) on Dec 12, 2014 at 8:55am PST

Even though Menzel's been running around promoting her new holiday album, she took a few moments of her time to sit down with three New York military families the morning before she performed at the 2014 Bloomingdale’s Holiday Concert & Window Unveiling in NYC.

I asked Menzel to talk a little bit about this experience, since it was a really special memorable moment for the military families she met, and also because it was the first time she'd ever worked with the USO.

Here's what she had to say.

I'll post a little bit later about the awesome, jam-packed day of fun the military families had in NYC after meeting Menzel, but those photos aren't quite ready yet :)

Behind the Shoot: Lifting spirits with the USO Show Troupe

The past week has been a huge blur for me. From jetting down to NYC, to playing in my GW softball alumni game this past weekend, I've been on the go for as long as I can remember.

Luckily, being busy means I have more to share with you :)

I finally got a chance to sit down and edit my still photographs from my NYC trip for the USO. I'm actually quite pleased with these, since, really, the trip was all about shooting video. These little nuggets are just bonuses, really.

To give you an idea of what this photo essay is about, here's 30-second a debrief: The USO has its own performing group called the USO Show Troupe: Think the Andrews sisters meets modern music. Basically, the Show Troupe, which is made up of professional performers, travels all around the world entertaining troops and their families. I caught up with one of the performers, Larissa Klinger, while she was at her home base in NYC, and shot a day-in-the-life style piece. Essentially, I followed her around all day with a camera and totally invaded her personal space, but I think the end product was worth it!

These are my 20 favorite shots, although, I should be even more selective if I were to publish it.

Created with flickr slideshow.

I did a project similar to this in college about a classmate of mine, and honestly, I can see a huge difference in my evolution of photography skill. Not only has my eye improved, but my concept of lighting has, I think, drastically changed as well. Thoughts?

Created with flickr slideshow.

Why I haven't posted all week: NYC and more

Those that know me well have probably heard my opinions about New York City. While the big apple is glamorous, bustling and full of life, I would never ever want to live there -- at least not for foreseeable future, that is.

I will, however, gladly visit and hop on the train for a work gig.

This past Tuesday -- after many Amtrak delays -- I headed up to NYC to film two different stories for the USO. While I just don't have the time and the energy to talk about one of the projects tonight, I will share the other project I did, which is already completed!

Ladies and gents, I give you my video about the USO center opening at JFK:



It's crazy to think that for over ten years there wasn't a USO presence at any NYC or New Jersey airport. Maybe its because I'm an employee, or just an observant person, but I've gotten quite accostumed to hearing the "The USO lounge..." announcements in most major airports.

It's kinda comforting isn't it?