It started out as a routine appointment to get some professional photos shot to send to her deployed husband.

But before Joint Base Lewis-McChord spouse Bethany Lord knew it, she and photographer and fellow spouse Kara Trimmer had decided to start their own magazine.

"I just wanted some pictures for my husband and then we started talking and ideas started flying," Lord, 22, said. "It was amazing ... everything just started clicking."

Lord and Trimmer ended up brainstorming for nearly seven hours and the magazine Silent Ranks was born. The spouses later added two more members to the team (Amanda Card and Natalie Starkweather) to help with organization and production and the first issue of the magazine was printed last month.

"Having been in the military for a while and hearing all the military wives and their stories, we think they don't get the attention they deserve," said Trimmer, who's husband's been stationed at JBLM Main for more than three years. "They need a place to shine and show off."

The monthly magazine features posed photos of local military wives highlighting their hobbies and special talents, as well as their stories, recipes and inside tips or tricks of the trade - all reader-submitted content.

"It's all volunteer-driven ... it's pure fun," Trimmer said. "It's a way to give back to the military wives."

The brainstorming sessions to help generate ideas for content have also brought the production team closer together.

"(Military wives) move around so often, you kind of make your own family at every post," said Lord, whose photos grace the inaugural issue. "I consider these girls my family."

Word of the new nonprofit publication has spread, as spouses and their families interested in having their photos taken for the magazine have bombarded Trimmer with requests.

"I'm booked for two months solid," she said.

While printing costs only allow the team to print enough copies to hand out to those who pay for the photo shoots, the group hopes to touch as many military wives as they can.

"We want to highlight the sacrifices we make and the support we give our soldiers and just let everybody know that there are people behind the troops," Lord said.

The team is in the midst of creating a Facebook page to spread the word and perhaps generate more stories and features for the 12-page publication.

Lord even plans on hopefully starting a following at her husband's deployed location, as she recently mailed him a copy.

"I can't wait to for him to see it," she said.

For more information on Silent Ranks, email Mrsktrimmer@yahoo.com.