Tuesday, December 27, 2011

OpLove ReUnited: "S" Family Homecoming

I've said it once, I'll say it again — I LOVE seeing families reunited, especially for the holidays! On the 22nd of December, a LARGE number of soldiers deboarded a plane on Pope Field and were warmly and lovingly welcomed by their family members (DUH).

This family was adorable. A 6 year old, a 2 year old, and a 1 year old ... none or which knew Daddy was coming home just yet. They thought they were going to the hanger for moral support. Mom wanted to surprise them, and surprise she did.  Even though the 6 year old could read ... he was still just as surprised when Daddy was dismissed from formation and and quickly went to them with open arms. What a sight.

Let me tell you, I love working with OpLove!  -- get a tissue, here are some shots of that day. (Last name has been removed from uniform)



                                                                                       Peaking around to see Daddy



                                                                           Happy tears

   The middle boy asked if Daddy could come  home with them. How sweet is that?!




The photos and other content of this publication do not imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense.


Do not copy, save or alter these images without the expressed permission of Sharilyn Wells Photography, LLC. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

OpLove ReUnited: "A" Family Homecoming

There's nothing better than seeing Families reunited ... let's just say this beautiful woman and adorable baby boy welcomed home their hero home with open arms... and a little bit of tears. Let the portraits speak for themselves!

Family friend keeping baby happy

Cards are a big deal with them, they give them for any and every occasion ... cute right?!




Waiting patiently

"Ahhh!!!! There's too much noise and commotion!"

First Kiss



Facebooking!

 
Daddy's turn to feed!

The photos and other content of this publication do not imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense.


Do not copy, save or alter these images without the expressed permission of Sharilyn Wells Photography, LLC. All rights reserved.
 

Saturday, December 3, 2011

OpLove: "B" Family

I had the opportunity to photography this great family for Operation: Love Reunited. Their husband/father is currently overseas supporting the War on Terrorism. I had a blast photographing them at the Veterans' Park in downtown Fayetteville.

According to the website, "Operation: Love ReUnited is a non-profit, fully volunteer organization that offers professional photography sessions to military families and members who are getting ready to deploy, who are currently deployed, or those who are coming home.

"Each participating family or member may receive two sessions per year.  The session choices are Pre-Deployment (with the service member), Saying Goodbye (documentary style at the farewell location), Already Deployed (service member has already deployed), and Homecoming (documentary style at the homecoming location.)  Post-Homecoming sessions are not allowed.  ALL sessions shall follow a patriotic theme.  Pre-Deployment sessions shall include a uniformed service member with the option to change clothes later in the session.


"For deployed servicemembers and their families receive two waived session fees per calendar year
If a Pre-Deployment or Deployment Session was done a 4x6 album of at least 15 images will be sent overseas to the deployed service member for an extra special boost of moral.  If a Saying Goodbye session was done a CD of final documentary style of at least 15 images will be given to the family for them to decide what to do with the images since these images can be very emotionally draining.  If a Homecoming session was done, the service member and/or family will receive a CD of at least 15 final documentary style images will be given.  It is the photographers choice what to offer here."

I am so proud to be part of this organization and can not wait to do another one! Here are some of the "B" family's portraits.








The photos and other content of this publication do not imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense.


Do not copy, save or alter these images without the expressed permission of Sharilyn Wells Photography, LLC. All rights reserved.


Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Promised I'd share!

Here are some of the photos I liked from the Pretty Things Academy ... They gave us all the photos, unedited. Let me tell you, I am VERY critical of photos of me. I kept picking out little things I didn't like about how I looked. But once I got passed my insecurities, I fell in love with these pictures.

Raul F. Rubiera took the photos below ... but I edited them and had a blast editing them!





Sunday, November 27, 2011

Family leaves

I had the joy of taking pictures this beautiful family. I've been taking their pictures since the little one was in her mommy's tummy. She is growing into a beautiful little girl and even though she didn't want to crack a smile unless the tractor was on ... I still had a blast and got these awesome shots!







Friday, November 25, 2011

30 day Challenge: Day 30

YES!  My 30 day challenge (well, 31 day challenge since I skipped yesterday) has come to an end. Though I enjoyed the challenge, I had a hard time keeping to it. I realized that having set challenges, my creativity was constantly challenged — hence the title of the 30 day CHALLENGE.  :-) So here it is, the final photo.

Today's challenge: Self-portrait


Will I do another challenge? Well, not soon ... but I just possibly may.

Thanks for hanging in there with me! Continue to check in on the blog for session updates, specials and discounts!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

30 day Challenge: Day 29

Today's Challenge: Black and White

Okay, I'm behind on the challenge ... again. It's the second to last post and I'm fiddling-farting around. I will finish this!

Here's today's photo:

The new member of out family is a white bower puppy with black spots. We named him Pedey and we love him to pieces! Just look at his nose!

One more day and I will have conquered this challenge!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

30 day Challenge: Day 28

Today's challenge: Flower



Well, as you know, it's Fall here. LOL No flowers just laying around. So I did what any Photo-mom in a bind would do ... had her son paint a beautiful flower. He amazes me everyday with his abilities. We don't color together as we should. I saw a drawing a friend's kid did a while ago and it had stick figures and a house on it. She is the same age as my son and I didn't think he could do that. So, this challenge was going to be a challenge. I wasn't sure if he could pull off painting a flower ... well, he did! And wow, the prettiest flower I've seen!

Monday, November 21, 2011

30 day Challenge: Day 26 & 27

Yep, did it again. Forgot to take a picture for the challenge yesterday. But I also messed up yet another challenge. Day 20 I said it was from a distance ... I was wrong. It was actually bokeh. To correct all my mess ups, I'm doing Bokeh today, which was supposed to be From a Distance AND yesterday's challenge which was closeup. So ... here goes.

Today's Challenge: Closeup
Yesterdays Challenge Change: Bokeh




What do you guys think? I had a rough time doing this. It seemed so easy, an hour later I finally got what I was looking for. Phew! I'm almost done with the challenge!!!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

30 Day Challenge: Day 25

So ... Today was a busy day and I really didn't take the time to take today's photo challenge picture. HOWEVER, I accidentally found one I took on my iPhone. I'll tell you the back story of this after I share the photo, 'cause you have to see the photo!

Todays challenge: Something Pink


Okay, first let me start off saying I do not condone alcohol consumption, or the massive overeating of Oreos. Second, I am also not endorsing these brands, I am simply showing you my photo challenge for today.

Now, for the back story. Today, my best friend and I took a day for ourselves and participated in the Pretty Things Academy. We wanted to "unleash our inner bombshell," and learned how to do pin-up style makeup and hair. It was so much fun! After gettting all glamed up, we participated in a photoshoot with Candygram Images in which we were coached on the many different poses of pin-ups and even learned our vowels again. A, E, I, O, and Us are apparently the best faces you can make in the pin-up world. I loved every minute of the shoot. Here are some photos of the day. We have before and after makeup and hair, our U face and us in front of the camera. My BF's faces are so much better then my crazy, cheesy ones!


After having a blast at the academy, we headed to Barnes and Nobles for some much needed coffee and gossip ... in our get-ups. Yes, yes we did. I had plans to do multiple things after the photos. I could have either raced up to Greenville to my husband and son to watch the final home game for ECU, go to a good friend's birthday party in Raleigh or go to a couples get-together for someone else's brithday. Well, we got done too late to do the ECU game, then the birthday party in Raleigh fell through because of timeline changes and not really wanting to drive that far, and the couple's thing is a no-go when your partner isn't with you. So basically, all my plans fell through. I was all glamed up with no where to go.

I was feeling pretty down and called my BF to see if she wanted to hang out and told her about my evening depression. She most generously told me she would love my company. (This is why I have certain people in my life; she's the best.) So, I stopped by a grocery store and grabbed girlie drinks and Oreos ... in my sweats and absolutely no makeup on and headed to her place where we watched a movie and gossiped, giggled, and had a blast. So hence, the pink in my photo is in the Oreos and the drinks. LOL. Hey, it works for me!

But by sharing my iPhone photo, it reminded me of a wonderful blog, Enjoying the Small Things ,and how the author shares her photos from her phone every Friday in what she lovingly calls, Friday Photo Dump. I want to do the same if y'all wouldn't mind. I take so many photos on my iPhone and they really never go anywhere except on my personal Facebook. So, I'm doing it (next Friday). Thank you Kelle!