Wednesday, February 29, 2012

End of February | Monthly Photo Dump | Fayetteville, N.C. Photographer

I mentioned I'd do this a while back ... and never did. So, I decided I will do it now! This is the month of February's photo dump.

These end of month photo dumps are taken with Instagram or Hipstamatic (on my iPhone) and put into a Photoshop template where I can share with you 15 of my family photos from the month. I hope this gives you a little insight of what my family does on a monthly basis. I won't give too much explanation to the photos, as it is a photo dump, but if you follow me on Facebook — you won't be too lost! :-)

Enjoy!

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

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 29

This month's final challenge is a combination of day 29 and 30 (since there isn't 30 days in February). But I'm sure you guys already knew that! I hope y'alls Leap Day was fun filled. Nothing out of the ordinary happened during my day, but I ultimately decided that I need two things to happen next leap year.

1 - I have a baby
2 - I have to celebrate a significant event

I didn't realize it until now, but how cool would it be to have your birthday on Leap Day? I mean, you'd celebrate every four year, ultimately slowing down your aging process. No? Well, at least you could play the card, "What? I can act immature 'cause I'm only 6.5 years old!" It could be cool.

Second, I didn't know one of my elementary/Girl Scout friends married her sweetheart on Leap Day. What?! How cool is that! She wished him a happy anniversary on Facebook and joked, now for another four years to celebrate. It's just plain cool. LOL

But anyway, thank you for keeping up with my photo challenge this month! Without further adue, the photo:

Days 29/30: Trees & Family

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 28

Today's Challenge: Transportation


These bad boys are my "Cheverlegs." <------ Ha! See what I did there? Vehicle is in the shop today, so this model mode of transportation will have to work for me.

I can't believe I only have one more day to the challenge! This one was definitely hard for me to do on a day-to-day basis. But I'm there!

So, since there's 30 challenges and February only has 29 days, I'm going to try to incorporate the last two challenges together... We'll see how this goes! Thanks for sticking with me peeps!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 25 & 26

Okay! I'm slowly catching up ... I mean, I sorta need to. I only have three more days of February!

Day 25: Favorite Color

It's Green .... can you tell? I love clovers and green and anything Irish. I can NOT wait until March! This was a little teddy bear that my husband and son gave to me last year for St. Patrick's Day. Best Present EVER.

Day 26: Weakness

I was going to take a picture of Oreoes, but then I realized I'd have to actually go take a picture of Oreos. And since they are my weakness, I'd probably buy 50 billion boxes because they're on sale at Walmart — because I have no self control when it comes to Oreos.

Sooooo .... on a trail run today, I almost killed myself on one of these little suckers.


They get me every time. And there's like 50 billion of them everywhere I run! Tweaked ankles and long trail runs don't mix ... and are definitely my weakness.

Friday, February 24, 2012

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 24

Today's challenge: Love

I've been working with Operation: Love ReUnited for a while now and have been blown away with the couples and families I meet through the non-profit organization.

This couple will be going through their first deployment in a couple of days. Hanging out with them for the hour or so, I saw the passion and love they shared for each other and I was reminded why I do what I do. These are the precious moments they have to share before they are separated for 12 months or so and they wanted me to be a part of those moments.

So, not only does this photo represent their love, but my love of photography.

Best Love Story Contest Photo Session

Here it is people, the adorable, lovable, and amazing session from the Best Love Story Contest Winners.

The Peck's are just adorable and we had a blast. It was a little chilly ... and windy, but they stuck it out and they had a nice little picnic that included hot coco and lots of smiles. With out further a due ... your winners.








Thursday, February 23, 2012

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 21, 22, & 23

Okay people! Get ready to be in aw of these photo challenges!  -- No, not really ... but they're pretty cool!

Day 21: (It's actually missing from the list) So ... The photographer's club I'm part of came up with an inside joke. Here's my interpretation. Don't ask ... LOL


Day 22: Landscape
It appears Spring is on it's way ... or at least North Carolina is tricking the daffodils!


Today's challenge: Black and White
Here ... the puppy got free from my son's hand ... and ran for it. LOL, it was pretty funny watching him trying to catch the pup and the pup just "walking" himself, holding his leash in his mouth. (Don't mind the bike helmet. No, my son doesn't wear a helmet for fun ... LOL he was on his scooter.)



Sunday, February 19, 2012

30 Photo Challenge: Day 18 & 19

Okay guys, here's the deal ... I'm not going to promise anything to y'all anymore. I've come to conclusion that I will finish this challenge ... it just might not be on time. LOL!

Day 18: Eyes


Yep ... that's me bugg-eyed! LOL But look, you can see my arms in my left eye! Nice a crisp! Not bad for a self image of my eyes.

Day 19: Summer fun


So, we may not have snow of the ground here in NC, but it's definitely not summer either. But when I think about summer, I think of only one thing — the BEACH! Here's a sand dollar I found on a beach in Connecticut a long time ago. And it now decorates my beach themed bedroom. I can't think of any other place I'd rather be, than on the beach. When does summer come again?


Friday, February 17, 2012

30 Photo Challenge: Day 17

Today's challenge: Bokeh

Bokeh is the "blurry" part of a photo. Sometimes is can be just blur, or circles of light. But you can also manipulate the lights into shapes. I did a heart last time I did a bokeh challenge and wanted at star this time, but stars are hard to cut out. So I went with another heart.

I did this challenge not more than two months ago and do you think I could remember how to do it? A "quick" challenge turned into an hour ordeal with me finally accepting what I had and going with it. I'm not too happy with my result, but it will do for now. I will work on it some more when I have the chance. But for right now ... this is what I got.



It's my wedding unity candle with white lights behind it. I was going for a lovey dovey feel ... do you feel lovey dovey looking at it? :-)

Thursday, February 16, 2012

30 Photo Challenge: Day 14, 15, & 16

Okay ... I know, I promised that I wouldn't fall behind. I did, but I fell behind anyways. But to make it up, I challenged myself to get all three days' challenges in one. I believe I did it.

Day 14: Someone you love = check
Day 15: Action = check
Day 16: A jar = check

The result: My son holding a jar of candies swaying to the night time music ...

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

A Valentine Scavenger Hunt

This is odd ... I know guys. TWO blogs from me in one day? I know, don't get too excited. I am one day behind on my photo challenge ... (shakes head). I will catch up though!

Anyway, for Valentine's Day my son couldn't go to school because he got sent home sick the day prior. Due to daycare rules, "the child must be out a full 24 hours is sent home with a fever." So, we spent the holiday together and decided to go on a heart scavenger hunt (while mommy still got some exercise in).

And this is what we found.

                               Heart #1 - Leaf                                 Heart #2 - Ant hill

                               Heart #3 - Asphalt                           Heart #4 - Removed bark on tree

Okay, so in 2.5 miles around our neighborhood, a 5 year old boy, and two accompanying dogs, I consider four hearts a good discovery. I found the majority of them ... but I did let my son figure out where the heart was. He was a little skeptical about the asphalt one. He was looking at it from a different angle than I was and kept saying, "No, a heart is shaped like this (makes a heart with his hands)." Finally, I convinced him once I took the picture. LOL Boys.

I got this sweet idea from Pinterest.com at a blog called Slow Family Online. If not for Pinterest, I probably would have never found this awesome blog. If you're not on Pinterest, you're missing out on all sorts of amazing ideas. People share the most creative, hilarious, and amazing things on there. And while you're at it, follow me!

:-)


Follow Me on Pinterest

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just wanted to wish you all a very Happy Valentine's Day! Hope it is full of love and happiness. Here are some portraits I took of my "geeky" son.







And here are his Valentines to hand out at school! I think they came out awesome!!!


Monday, February 13, 2012

30 Photo Challenge: Day 13

Today's Challenge: Childhood Reminder


When I was younger ... up to my teens ... I was OBSESSED with Piglet. It was (and still is) something about his size and his demeanor that reminded me of myself. He was always scared and frightened of things because of his size, but he always managed to be the hero in stories. 

He gave Eeyore his house when Eeyore's fell apart. He always helps his best friend Pooh discover his potential. He always brings Tigger back down to earth and he always remembers to be himself. In Piglet's big movie, his strength was put to the test and his friends also realized Piglets strength when he goes missing. It amazes me that something so small can make a difference in so many lives. That moral is what I'll be passing on to my son, and any future children, because great things come in small packages.

And this is why I loved, still love, and will always love Piglet.  

Sunday, February 12, 2012

30 Photo Challenge: Days 11 & 12

Okay, so I technically didn't miss day 11, I just was too busy forgot to write the blog to share with you guys! So, without further ado ... my photo challenge.

Day 11: Sun Flare


Ever since I figured out the whole, making the sun look like a star concept ... I've loved using in like, all my sun pictures! LOL

Next up: Today's challenge: Silhouette


I need to work on my silhouettes ... that's for sure. I will definitely perfect this shot by the end of my 30 day challenge ... let me promise you that!



Friday, February 10, 2012

Best Love Story Contest Winners!

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a winner for the Best Love Story Contest, with sponsors Sharilyn Wells PhotographyChrissy's Creative Creations & Pure Romance by DeAnna! Our lucky couple is Andrew and Jessica Peck! Here's their story! (Photo courtesy of the Peck family).

Andrew and Jessica caught the sponsors’ attention when their love story started with:

“Love at first sight? Who wouldn’t want to fall in love with the tallest girl in the seventh grade that had a pinky sized gap between her teeth from the pre-braces expander appliance in the roof of her mouth? Who wouldn’t want to fall in love with the skinny, short, shaggy haired, glasses wearing skateboarder? Looks like we did.”

Puts a smile on your face doesn’t it? We all remember our awkward middle school phase that, for some, might have went into our high school years.

Andrew and Jessica became each other’s first boyfriend and girlfriend in middle school when they lived in Lewisville, Texas in 1997.

“I guess it just wasn’t meant to be for us at the point in our young pre-teen lives because our relationship didn’t even last a month! I was heartbroken for the first time in my life,” wrote Jessica.

Fast forwarding to 2000, Jessica’s family relocated to west Texas where she admits she had her heart broken a couple more times. She graduated high school, started college, and eventually left in 2007 to take a job as a flight attendant with Continental Airlines.

“Andy had always crossed my mind and I would occasionally search for him on MySpace and Facebook on my layovers, but I never came up with a match. I was curious what he had done with his life and hoped one day that I would find him,” said Jessica.

During a layover in March of 2010, Jessica was looking through a girlfriend’s Facebook page and noticed that she had recently become friends with an Andy Peck. She immediately clicked on his profile.

“And there he was, the boy who stole my heart in the seventh grade,” wrote Jessica. “I sent him a friend request and not even 24 hours later, he had accepted and sent me a message.”

Their friendship began to blossom over a course of six months. And during Andy’s second deployment to Iraq, they decided to take a chance and started dating again.

“Our plan was to see each other when he got back from Iraq … it would be for the first time in 13 years! Our friends thought we were crazy, but what did we have to lose?” admitted Jessica.

They reunited in August of 2010 in the Houston airport and Jessica knew right at that moment that she was going to marry him.

“He must’ve known too because he proposed in September 2010 and we married December 2010,” wrote Jessica. “I love him today, yesterday, and every tomorrow.”

Congratulations to the couple and thank you for all the participation! Make sure to go by the sponsors fan pages and "like" them! Check out these goodies that the couple won! Not to mention ... a free couples session with yours truly!



29 Day Challenge: Day 10

Today's challenge: animal

Well we all know I have plenty to choose from! I chose to shoot my pup that I got recently from the shelter - Pedey. What a cutie and great lil' addition to the family.



Thursday, February 9, 2012

29 Day Challenge: Day 9

Today's challenge: Sunset

Well, I've been super busy with photo sessions, deployment session with OpLove, my normal photojournalist job and on top of that, my husband has been working nights so Mom-duty is in full force. So, I missed the sunset today. BUT I promised you guys that I would have today's challenge for today. So.... I had to think fast. I had a few extra minutes to myself after the kid went down for the night. I made myself a little something-something.

I call it, My Malibu Sunset. Mango vodka, Malibu rum, and cranberry juice .... num num num. All I need is a little umbrella, the beach, and my sunglasses and I'm set!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

29 Day Challenge: Day 7 & 8

Okay guys, I did it again. I know ... I promise to start getting better at taking the photo when the photo is due!

Yesterday's Challenge: Makeup Bag

This is my travel makeup bag. I didn't want to show you all how messy I am normally ... LOL! Because, ladies, you know what I'm talking about. Powder everywhere, eye shadow crumbs mushed into the sides, a grease spot where your lotion exploded, and God only knows what! So, this is my cleanest makeup bag and it happens to be my travel bag! (And yes, it was free when I bought a million dollars worth of Clinque.)


Today's Challenge: Fresh fruit

Well, I don't eat much fruit. Don't yell at me, I just don't like many fruits, again my son does. How does he like so many things I don't but then won't eat or do things I like? We are so different from each other. It's a constant struggle with us ... God help me when he's a teenager! 

But back to my photo challenge.


That's it for now! I swear ... tomorrow's challenge will be JUST tomorrows challenge! :-)

Monday, February 6, 2012

29 Day Challenge: Day 5 & 6

Yup. You guys knew it was bound to happen. I skipped yesterday ... the Super Bowl was all fun and games until the Pats lost and I lost motivation to take a picture of yesterday's challenge. (which was a challenge in itself people, I don't read).

Yesterday's challenge: Books

You see. The only time I read is when it was for school or if it was something I really, really, REALLY found interesting. I know, it's bad. Everyone should enjoy reading. I however, do not. My son LOVES to read, he must have gotten it from his Gramma. Hmmm.... maybe the reading gene skips every generation?

I dunno - but here's yesterday's photo:


I iPhoned it up yesterday ... and today. It was my lazy attempt to keep current on my challenge. Here's todays challenge: Today's breakfast


I know, I know ... don't judge people. LOL. I was hungry and I was in a rush. Today's breakfast was courtesy the Flat Brown Box o' Pizza Hut.

This picture reminds me -- I was going to start a Friday Photo Dump ... but I didn't. I will start that now. I have this fun iPhone ap - Hipstamatic. I set up the camera and take away. I don't get to see the photos until all the pics (I think 15-20) are all taken. This will be perfect for my week's photo dump. I'll share with you all that I've done ... and I get a refresher. LOL

Here's to new and fresh starts (a month in).

:-)

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Game day!

It's a yucky, overcast kinda day. Besides one Valentine Mini Session couple that didn't cancel, the best thing I have to look forward to today is watching some SUPER BOWL!!! And watching the Patriots take back that horrible loss to the Giants years ago. LOL

I was feeling creative yesterday and came up with this design for a Super Bowl party we are going to:


What do y'all think? I got the chocolate, Guinness cupcakes from Brown Eyed Baker's blog. Like I said, they're made with Guinness, the inside filling has Irish Whiskey in it, AND the frosting? Irish Cream. Yeah. They're wonderful. They're "grown-up" desserts - Irish Car Bomb cupcakes!

The Giants are sporting your average Valentine Pillsbury cake mix with blue regular frosting. Yup, they're pretty much your AVERAGE cupcake - just like the team. :-) So the kiddies get to eat those cupcakes! 

Go Pats!


Saturday, February 4, 2012

29 Day Challenge: Day 4

Oh, I thought I was in a BIG jam for today's challenge: Clouds.

It had been overcast all day ... and not the pretty overcast. The kind of overcast when the whole sky was GRAY. And just Gray. Not a definition of cloud anywhere, just gray. Plus, I had been busy baking all day in prep for Super Bowl Sunday! (Pics to come soon)

So I peeked my head out the window real quick and noticed the moon peaking through the clouds and literally ran for my camera and tripod and looking completely ridiculous, I laid on my back and started snapping. I guess I could have called my husband out to take of picture of me taking a picture ... but I looked pretty ridiculous. :-)

Any who, here's my photo! Did you guys have any luck getting your cloud shots?

Friday, February 3, 2012

29 Day Challenge: Day 3

Todays challenge: Hands


My sweet little boy's hand on mine. I love his little hands — even though his nails are always disgustingly dirty! :-) He's all boy, and I love him for that.