Tori Evans: Capturing the Heart of the Military Journey

Small-Town Roots

Tori Evans describes herself simply: a small-town country girl from Missouri, a military photographer, and an author. But behind those modest words is a powerful storyteller whose work captures the very soul of military life through her lens.

Raised at Whiteman Air Force Base, Tori grew up immersed in military culture. Her father—a Vietnam veteran and retired U.S. Air Force member—instilled in her a deep respect for service early on. This connection to the military would become the foundation for her life’s work.

Answering the Call

At 21, Tori enlisted in the U.S. Army as a culinary specialist, bringing in her background from working in a bakery. Two years into her service at Fort Riley, Kansas, she met her now-husband, JD. Their marriage marked the beginning of a new chapter as a military spouse—a role she has embraced for over two decades. Together, they have two children.

Her experience as a service member, military spouse, and daughter of a veteran gives her a deeply rooted and unique perspective on the military community.

A New Mission Behind the Camera

After separating from the Army, Tori remained committed to military life as a spouse and mother. Along this path, she eventually found her calling: photography. She began capturing moments for PAO and MWR events and soon found herself with a rare opportunity—photographing the experiences of new recruits during basic training in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina in 2020, Tori documented the arrival of trainees under the newly implemented “2+8” Basic Combat Training model—a system designed to reduce COVID-19 exposure. With families unable to attend graduations in person, Tori’s photographs became more than just images; they became vital windows into a world few could witness firsthand. “It was during this time that I found my purpose: telling the Army’s story through my lens.”

Tori’s photographs served as a powerful bridge, offering families a glimpse into the sacred moments of transformation and resilience that happen behind the scenes.

A Passion for Highlighting Service and Sacrifice

During that pivotal period, Tori published her first book, Back to Basic—a 96-page photo collection that captured the grit and determination of trainees during a defining moment in military history. The book received multiple awards and confirmed her passion for visual storytelling.

Since then, she has released two more titles: Training Through Uncertainty, which is currently sold out, and Praise Through It: Deployment Edition, further establishing herself as a trusted voice and visual historian of the military experience.

Tori’s objective is simple yet powerful: to illuminate the realities of military service and showcase the extraordinary strength found within America’s armed forces. “As a military photographer,” she says, “my greatest passion lies in capturing and sharing the experiences of our service members through my camera.”

Her work has been proudly displayed in museums, government buildings, billboards, and across social media, telling stories that might otherwise go unheard. As Tori says, she considers herself a visual storyteller, drawn to the grit, determination, and resilience that service members embody every day.

Faith, Resilience, and Full Circle Moments

One story that Tori shared is a powerful example of how her journey has come full circle. As a young private in the Army, she was once tasked with preparing pastries for an event hosted by the Garrison Commander. During the gathering, she noticed a woman who hadn’t yet had the chance to get a pastry. Wanting to offer one, Tori was quickly told she wasn’t permitted to interact with her—because she was too junior in rank. She later learned that the woman was the Garrison Commander’s wife.

Now, reflecting on that moment almost 20 years later as the current Garrison Commander’s wife at Fort Benning, Tori carries that memory with her. She remembers the feeling of not being worthy. Today, she is committed to making sure no one in her community ever feels that way. Her heart lies in uplifting others, fostering a sense of belonging, and ensuring that everyone—no matter their rank or role—feels valued and seen.

Having lived every side of military life—as a child, a soldier, and a seasoned spouse—Tori lives by a mantra of unwavering resilience: keep moving forward. With 17 PCS moves, 22 TDYs, and 8 deployments behind her, she understands that military life can be challenging at any stage.

Whether you’re new to the community or have years of experience, Tori has learned that the emotions we face—uncertainty, loneliness, strength, and hope—are universal. A deployment doesn’t get easier just because it’s your tenth; each one brings its own weight, and every story matters.