Before you leave | Family | Fayetteville, N.C. Photographer

 Before daddy deployed, this family wanted fun family photos ... and that's what we did!

Love when I can capture mom and dad's love! Even when there's a ton  of mosquitoes flying around!! ;-) These guys were troopers in the humidity and with those flying pests!

This lil' booger had me funning around saying cheese .... but in the wrong direction of the camera! <3 Had a blast though!

 

And just look at how cute his little brother is!! he was just having a blast cooing on the blanket as big brother ran around!

Welcome Home Mom! | Military Homecoming | Fort Bragg, N.C. Photographer

When I got the email from this soldier in Afghanistan asking for a photographer for her homecoming ... I was ecstatic. She left her baby boy at just 6 months old and now he was walking! She wanted those precious moments of reunion captured on camera. And of course I jumped at the opportunity. (and the fact that she wanted me there even though my baby bundle of joy was due around the same time of her return! But she had faith and wanted lil' ol' me. I could NOT say no!) And Boy, I'm so glad I didn't!

Son and Dad were so anxious to see their hero home. Dad was emotional, and boy, it was hard for me to hold back the tears ... and I've done a ton of homecomings! But seeing the husband there waiting instead of a wife, was wow ... it was fantastic! (especially being a female soldier myself. it was awesome to see the excitement and joy from a male this time).

And of course our hero's mom was super relieved and excited to welcome home her own baby girl as well! <3

This is the moment I get nervous. I know babies never forget their parents. but it's been a while and people have high hopes for these pictures. First glimpse and holding and kissing. What if baby bursts into tears?! But look, it was such a sweet moment between mom and baby and not to mention the look on dad's face when baby leaned into mom.

Then mom and dad's first kiss. I just love this moment!

And then momma got to see her lil' man walk in person for the first time. <3 I love it!

And of course, you can't forget the whole family!

To book a homecoming, please email me at sharilynwellsphotography@gmail.com 

I'd love to be your photographer and capture these precious moments for you!

A Big Decision | OpLove | Fort Bragg, N.C. Photographer

With Sharilyn Wells Photography, LLC growing so much within the past two years, I've found myself getting busier and busier.  I have been throwing around this idea for a while now, and I really didn't WANT to come to this conclusion ... but I have. As much as I love working with Operation: Love Reunited ... I will be ending my volunteer work with them at the end of October. It was a tough decision but with my regular work load, the hectic schedules of my personal life and the baby on it's way, the heavy demand of this area for OpLove has become too much for me to handle. And that's hard for me to digest because I feel like I can take on the world! :-)

With this decision being made public, OpLove clients will not be able to look me up on the OpLove web site any more. But never fear, OpLove clients I've already booked for October ... you're safe. ;-) I will fulfill my obligations with you because face it, I love working with this organization and would never leave you guys hanging. I will not be taking on any other clients. I do know I have a few clients in February ... never fear, you too will be taken care of. :-) Basically, if you've already contacted me and we've discussed a homecoming or a pre-deployment, your session is set. Don't worry.

Also, just because I'm not going to be an OpLove photographer any more doesn't mean I won't take on homecomings! These are my favorite to photograph and will offer homecomings at a reasonable price for all my military clients. These sessions will include your images on a CD or digital download and printing rights. So spread the word! SWP will still be doing homecomings (but same rules apply, first come, first serve). I will still be offering my Welcome Back special for those who aren't able to get a photographer for their homecomings.

Again, it saddens me to have to walk away from the organization, but my family comes first and my sanity! ;-) I will always recommend the organization to anyone and will do so proudly. They have a great mission and it's been fun. I've been working with them since 2011 and it's time to hang my hat.

Thank you for your constant support! You guys rock!

Little Marine | OpLove: Already Gone | Fayetteville, N.C. Photographer

I was super excited about this OpLove session. First, it was a Marine family. Second, they came all the way from Camp Lejune just to have ME take their pictures! Hello?! No pressure right? Even dad is a military combat photographer! Gah! Well, We got some awesome candid shots for daddy who's deployed and CANNOT wait to hear how he likes them. He's baby boy sure did give me a run for my money! Heavy on the run! ;-)

He was just fascinated by the fountains at Veterans Park, downtown Hay Street. I love this park for OpLove, it's just the feeling of walking around and knowing this was made to honor those gals and guys who have gave so much to this country ... and still do. I just love it.

At the end of the shoot ... or rather lil' man telling us he was done ... Mom and I did a little shoot for her man. Gorgeous right?!

 To learn more about OpLove, visit HERE.

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.***

Patriotic Love | OpLove: Predeployment | Fayetteville, N.C. Photographer

I had the opportunity to photograph this adorable family once more and boy! How awesome did these pictures come out?! The American Flags still out for Glory Days in front of the Airborne and Special Operations Museum was the perfect location for these two! Momma is set to deploy and she wanted some adorable shots of her adorable son ... I think we achieved that. What do you think? ;-)

 To learn more about OpLove, visit HERE.

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.***

Sweet Reunion | OpLove: Homecoming | Fort Bragg, N.C. Photographer

I haven't shot a homecoming in a while, and this one was just the sweetest. It was so hot and muggy, and the plane got delayed and it was just a hot mess ... but this lil' one hung in there, mom hung in there, and dad was just tickled to see his girls! I love homecomings!

 To learn more about OpLove, visit HERE.

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.***

Home at Last | Homecoming | Fort Bragg, N.C. Photographer

I had the pleasure of photographing these two boys' being reunited with daddy at the Fayetteville Regional Airport. Big brother spotted that plane as it landed. I didn't see a darn thing in the sky but he saw it! And then both got watch him roll in! It was super exciting for everyone!

Little brother was getting a lil' tired and anxious, but big brother was so excited to see daddy come through those security gates. He ran right up to daddy for a great big hug. And guess what? Daddy even gave both of his boys Army teddy bears, how sweet is that?!

Momma finally got her kiss!

A hero and his boys. I just love this picture!!

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

Rural, Airforce Fun | OpLove: Pre-Deployment | Fayetteville, N.C. Photographer

I love me a good fun family ... and this family was no exception! They made me laugh, they played along with my kooky ideas and dodged traffic. Had a blast and their images came out AWESOME.

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.***

For more information please visit their website ----------->  OpLove

I take  OpLove Sessions from Fort Bragg and Pope Field on a first come, first serve basis and ONLY if I'm available. If you are looking for a photographer at a different location, you can find them HERE.

Kiss Hello | OpLove: Homecoming | Fort Bragg, N.C. Photographer

I've said it once, I'll say it again ... I LOVE HOMECOMINGS! If I could do every single request I get, I totally would! I just love the emotion ... I love the excitement, I love the passion, I love the anxiousness, and I love the fast moments. It's over in less than three minutes, but WOW! What a rush!

That first kiss is always precious ... but that third and forth kiss is always filled with PASSION!

And that first hug?! Priceless! This couple wasn't an OpLove couple ... But I could NOT miss this moment.

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.***

For more information please visit their website ----------->  OpLove

I take  OpLove Sessions from Fort Bragg and Pope Field on a first come, first serve basis and ONLY if I'm available. If you are looking for a photographer at a different location, you can find them HERE.