Oh, those hugs & kisses {OpLove Photography}

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

I have been in a particularly "huggy" mood this weekend, and today's OpLove Session sneak peek definetly demonstrates that. But when a young Soldier & Dad is heading off to far away lands, is there really anything more cherished than those hugs?

This family hugs their Soldier one more time tomorrow before blowing kisses goodbye and starting their countdown until those amazing & long-awaited hugs hello can come..

Safe travels; may the months speed bye and those hugs come quickly! xoxo 

The Lynch Family

Saturday was such a treat - gorgeous crisp fall weather, the trees at peak color, and two fantastic sessions to enjoy...

 The morning began with the fantastic Lynch family, who are honestly just plain cool. Getting to hang out with them at their home felt kinda like when you're in middle school & get invited to your first party that boys will be at...I really was hoping I wouldn't snort when I laughed, or say anything silly. (I'm pretty sure I didn't snort...) We used their gorgeous home and backyard  as the backdrop for the session...and I absolutly love that they were just as relaxed in tuxedos and a gown as they were in jeans later on in the session... 

{I also loved that they had the music pumping in their home! Mark happens to be the President of Quality Sound and Video so I was spoiled getting to enjoy their system while I was there...we'll just say that my little i-Pod speaker thingy doesn't quite sound the same...}

Vinny is very entertaining...he reminds me a lot of my hubby's good friend Eliot,who was the best man at our wedding; he just exudes personality. He actually DJs, and I'm very excited to get out and photograph him in action sometime soon.

Thanks for such a fun morning, you guys! You've got a great gallery coming soon...hope you've enjoyed this little peek. It was a blast getting to know you guys & I look forward to seeing you soon!

Sweet Childhood {OpLove Photography}

It was so great to get out and play in the gorgeous fall weather last night with this fun-loving family.

Both Mom & Dad proudly serve our nation in the Army, but next week Dad is headed off to Afghanistan. I hope when he sees all the smiles & laughter in his album it'll help bring part of "home" to him downrange... I have to say that little "j" is just smiling and laughing throughout all the images, obviously surrounded by tons of love and laughter. So on top of Dad having some warm memories to cherish while he's away, I hope years from now "j" will look back on these images and forever remember just how fun it was to be that little kid playing with Mom & Dad.

We started off our session downtown, but "j" quickly led us in the direction of the trains; this little spot was so fun! I hadn't wandered back to this little part for a session yet, and I think you'll be seeing more of it in future images...

I just love capturing fun childhood moments like this one above....the honest smiles, genuine laughs...{sigh}

This little series below is "j" playing "Airborne!" with his Daddy Doll. His Dad flys him around like he's jumping out of an airplane and he yells "Airborne!"...so that's what "j" was doing with his doll. So cute!  {for those of you wondering what a Daddy Doll is, military kids whose parent deploys can get these little dolls for free; the face of the doll has a slot for you to put a photo of your Mom or Dad}

"D,"  "B" & little "j"....thank you so much for trusting this precious memories to me. I truly enjoyed getting to know you ... and a big thanks to "j" for discovering a fun new place for sessions :-)

"B"  - safe travels, and come home soon!

{OpLove Disclaimer: "The photos and other content of this publication do not constitute or imply and endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense."}

Extreme Makeover Home Edition {Day 1 on set}

This week is such an exciting one for me; I will be photographing all the behind-the-scenes excitement of the Extreme Makeover Home Edition build here in Fayetteville! I linked up with the builders from Blue Ridge Log Cabins this morning...we got a little "pre-game" pep talk from the producers, and then it was off we went to surprise the family! {the caravan over was a whole journey in itself ... I'll save that for next week's "awkward!" hehe}

Before knocking on the door, Soldiers from Ft. Bragg, volunteers from the area, and the builders joined together to welcome the Designers...and got to enjoy the U.S. Army's Golden Knights parachute in! Then it was time to march over to the home! {this was my favorite part because you got to learn a lot about how shows are filmed. Everyone marched in complete silence and pantomimed the cheers and excitement...the sound will be added in later. It was funny to watch everyone smiling and throwing their arms in the arm in dead silence as we walked up the street and around the corner. The onlookers may not have realized they were told to be silent...must have been weird for them to see}

These awesome ladies have a special tie to the family being surprised. They were all so cute and so fun to meet...I hope to see a lot of them this week! 

Above:  Producers and the film crew give the crowd directions before silently marching to the home;
Greg, Chip, and the rest of the Blue Ridge Log Cabin builders and volunteers get filmed on the go; answering questions at a brief Press Conference in front of the home. Below: Golden Knights drop in.

Below: Barbara and members of the household talk to the press after being surprised.

Up in the Morning with the Rising Sun (Market House Sunrise)