Photographs, friendships and memories

Shari Wandell Bryant’s images: More than snapshots of a game

July 26, 2023 by Ken Leinart

Shari Wandell Bryant’s journey as one of the most well-known sports photographers in Clinton started like so many others’ foray into the world of picture-taking: She wanted photos of her kids.

“I wanted pictures of my kids playing sports and I was paying someone to take pictures for me,” she said.

Step back. Think about this for a minute, because you have to time travel backwards about 20 years to appreciate Wandell Bryant’s journey. You have to know a little about her, too.

Simply because Wandell Bryant went from a mom taking photos of HER kids, to a mom taking pictures of other kids, too; of being asked to take photos of other people’s kids.

And there’s a reason for that.

So follow along.

There are a lot of things Wandell Bryant feels strongly about. She’s a Dragon For Life and Vol For Life, so yeah, following her teams is a big deal.

Family is HUGE — the most important thing, really.

Friendships and memories also rank up there.

So, put a camera in her hand and she has, for the past 20 years or so, been able to create a kind of “life scrapbook” for some of the important things in her life.

And it started with family.

“I wasn’t working at the time; Trevor (her son) was playing ball,” she said.

She said it was a difficult time in her life for several reasons, and then her husband, Rocky, bought her a camera.

And the trip began.

Besides her husband, Rocky, son and daughter, Trevor and Sidney, there is more “family” in Wandell Bryant’s life. Remember, she’s a Dragon For Life, so all of those kids wearing the Orange and Black became, to an extent, her kids, too.

While following Trevor on the playing fields was easy — “Rocky was also announcing games,” she said — the friendships and memories followed, it was part of a natural progression.

“I’ve met some really wonderful people,” she said. “I’ve made some of the best friends through taking pictures.

“Dan McWilliams (former sports editor of The Courier News) is a hoot. I love being around him on the sidelines. He gets embarrassed so easily,” she said.

Another former sports editor with The Courier News, the late Richard Evans, was also a favorite.

“I love Richard,” she said. “Everyone loved Richard. And he loved this community.

“It was so much fun being at game with him and Dan at the same time.”

Wandell Bryant has taken pictures of almost every sport played. Her least favorite to shoot is baseball or softball just because of the logistics of trying to get a good photo.

“You can’t really get too close even if you can get on the field,” she said. “The ball is hit so hard you have to really concentrate on not getting hit. It’s a hard sport to shoot.”

But any sport where family is involved is her favorite at the time.

How does a Dragon For Life become a fan of … Let’s say, the Oak Ridge Wildcats?

“I appreciate the kids,” she said. “I will always pull for the Dragons, but I can also appreciate all those kids out there playing.”

Yes, most of her favorite pictures are of her family — her immediate family — but she also has a plethora of favorite photos of kids from other teams.

“I loved watching Tee Higgins and taking photos of him,” she said. “I knew he was special, that he was going to places.”

She was right about the former Oak Ridge Wildcat who became a Clemson Tiger and is now a Cincinnati Bengal.

“Another reason why I photograph, and why it makes me so happy‚ I have these great memories,” she said.

One in particular she points out is a photo of Destiny Jones, who was killed in a car crash on May 15, 2023.

“I’m happy to have these memories,” she said. “I have a plethora of pictures dating back to when Trevor was in elementary school, and every time I look them it’s like opening a treasure chest.”

And people who know Shari Wandell Bryant are happy she shares those memories.