During her eight-year career in the Air Force, the former staff sergeant was stationed atVandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Lackland AFB, Texas, and Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Her duties ranged from taking photos of autopsies to documenting overseas operations. It was during her time at Charleston that she said she had her most memorable experience in the Air Force. “It was the best job ever, with a five-day trip to Europe to cover a plane crash from WW II in the Alps,” Mickle said. “Being able to see the love from people from a foreign country to all the members of the Air Force that came with us [was a good feeling].” After 8 years in, she decided to settle down in Charleston and concentrate on raising her family. Now she’s creating moments as a wedding and commercial photographer. “I wake up many days missing the Air Force and am thankful [it] made me resilient,” Mickle said.