Rich-Joseph Facun's favorite photograph for 2008

By Rich-Joseph Facun
The Virginian-Pilot
© January 5, 2009

The image of Candice Knilans waiting for her husband, Petty Officer 3rd Class John Knilans, remains one of my favorite photographs from 2008.

The photograph originally ran across the front page of the paper and caused quite a reaction from our readership. Many people were offended by the pink stilettos, while others were highly supportive of the storytelling photograph. A local radio station held a morning broadcast about the photograph, letters to the editors poured in, the main phone line at The Pilot rang off the hook, blogs debated the pros and cons of the image and what it communicated.

Despite all the controversy, in the end I have to applaud Mrs. Knilans for holding her head high and staying true to her heart. In an interview with The Virginian-Pilot, she later explained that she had worn her pink pumps specifically for her husband. He was returning from a seven-month deployment on the aircraft carrier Harry S .Truman, and she thought there was nothing wrong in loving her husband and showing it; they were a family, too.

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Controversy?

Submitted by 94kSoldier on Mon, 01/05/2009 at 6:47 pm.

I don't know what was controversial about the picture. I would say this is my favorite out of the 13 pictures, as from the earlier comment, I agree, you don't need a story behind it, the picture itself tells a lot and everyone can draw their own story on it. Great job!!

Pink Heels

Submitted by katet43483 on Mon, 01/05/2009 at 2:14 pm.

All of the pictures nicely capture life here in Hampton Roads; but, none do it as well as the shot of the lady in her pink heels with the sailors disembarking from the ship in the background. I LOVE this picture because I can personally relate to it, I feel pride for the wife who so well thought out her welcoming outfit and it makes me feel happy. In this time of economic and political strife, a picture that can make someone smile is a welcome gift! Thanks again, Rich-Joseph Facun.

A picture says a thousand words

Submitted by lorreann on Mon, 01/05/2009 at 5:19 am.

I love this picture because it says without words what a woman feels and tries to do to please her husband-and that is to look pretty. You can tell the shoes are new and I can look at this picture and feel the excitement she has for her husband returning home. I can imagine her shopping ahead of time with excitement to find the perfect outfit to greet him, and I can tell by the way she's standing that she has a timid confidence that she made the right choice. I can also tell from the picture what his response will be when he first sees her, and what they will be doing when they get home. There is no need for a story to go with this-the picture tells it perfectly. I can't imagine what anyone would find fault about-this is a great picture!!