Marine Corps drill instructor Kevin Porter is one tough guy, but even he "couldn't say no" when his wife arranged a surprise photo shoot with their 4-year-old daughter Ashley, who was dressed like a princess for a special tea party.



"My husband had no idea what was going to happen until we showed up to the shoot," his wife Lizette told ABC News. "He was hesitant at first but after a little talking, I was able to convince him. He would do anything for Ashley."



"He was kind of embarrassed, but then my daughter had seen the whole set up and was so excited. He couldn't say no," she said.



The magical moment was captured by Kyndal Courtney, who owns Kyndal Rose Photography in Oceanside, California.



"As a photographer and wife to a Marine myself, I had the special opportunity to photograph this drill instructor and his daughter. It was an honor to capture the love and joy between them," Courtney told Military Times. She said the photos, which have been widely shared on social media, carry "a powerful message."



"It seems it was just what America needed to see," she said.



Lizette Porter said the photos show a softer side to her husband. "Drill instructors still have a life after working long and hard hours," she told ABC News. "Many of them have families that after hours they still have to attend to...and yes, a lot of them have a completely different side to them."



Check out more adorable photos of Porter and his daughter on Kyndal Rose Photography's Facebook page.



