Posts in Category: Babies
conner tevepaugh – a summer peach turns 6 months and works the orchard with zeal
SUMMER, SUMMER, SUMMER, SUMMER!
While it’s almost officially the end of summer (like it or love it), we took Conner Tevepaugh’s 6 month portraits in July of this year at his family’s orchard. [For those who follow this blog closely, and we hope you all are!!], Conner’s newborn pictures were captured at our outdoor studio in Wilkesboro, NC. This time, since it was in the height of the picking season, we went to them at Tevepaugh Orchards. All of the Tevepaugh kids and grandkids have been photographed as babies and toddlers in those wooden gathering crates along with apples or peaches and their photos hang in the family’s orchard house. The basin Conner’s in just below was one used by his great-grandmother to hold fruit that were being peeled for canning or cooking. Family members vividly remember her using it frequently. Pretty sure she would love to know that her family is still using this heirloom in photos of the next generation. Connor certainly cutes it up!
On the left: possible peach thief. On the right: busted for stealing. “It’s ok…. I’ll just sit here and look cute.”
As with all newborn to 6 month, or 6 month to 1 year sessions with babies, the change in them is subtle but still recognizable. Connor, our little “backdraft baby” was tucked into his father’s fireman’s helmet and gear as a newborn (and in a basket of apples just below). This time around, he was hitched to his grand-dad, Armit.
Because this session took place in their orchard, Armit was keen to participate and had lots of ideas and props and energy. Everything was perfectly ripe and sweet (the color of those peaches was not enhanced, by the way, and the smell of ripe fruit was heavenly). Conner was game to be placed in baskets and all over the orchard.
That July harvest time kept everyone in the family busy working day after day on a multitude of tasks and while Connor isn’t walking, much less “pulling his weight” just yet – he was interested in sampling the goods and being a part of the mix. Just as the photos of the kids in the Tevepauch orchard house are treasures for their parents and grandparents, these photos will be priceless for Connor and his family someday. And he can show the basin and the crates, maybe even walk the land with his own kids and talk about how fun it was to be a kid among all of that beauty and deliciousness.
“I just want to go on record to say that this finger is not nearly as tasty as that peach I was slurping on earlier.”
Basket of joy – brock rollins – newborn and 6 month photos with the family!
Becky and Jackson Rollins were wedding clients of ours and we took their newborn son, Brock’s first professional portraits, so when it was time for his 6 month portraits session, the family – including their beloved Weimaraner, Shelby, made the trip from SC to our indoor and outdoor studios in Wilkesboro, NC. It’s always so interesting (and entertaining) to see how infants have changed in only a few months and baby Brock was no exception. Maybe it’s the bow tie, hard to say really, but he looked like a little man compared to teeny creature we first met in late 2014. The child on the left looks like he’s hanging on for dear life until his next nap and the boy on the right looks like the maitre d at one of Brooklyn’s finest Italian restaurants. “For you – the cannoli are on the house!”
Becky, like several of our client moms, always brings great outfits for Brock and at this session, the little dude was dapper. In fact the whole family was coordinated and they are such a handsome group, photographing them was the best. Brock was animated, the dog stood still, the weather was perfect and the laughter was constant.
The Rollins’ also love black and white photos, and display them prominently throughout their home, so we take time to make sure that there are images that translate well to black and white for them. We’re thrilled that our portraits are not just given away and stored in albums but prominently hung.
We’re looking forward to seeing this family again soon, with their pup in tow!
newborn portraits, siblings in the orchard, warmth and kid pictures
In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. – Albert Camus
There’s something about this little lamb in that hat. She could be a newborn arrival during a winter in Newfoundland, all cozy indoors, but soon to be ready for her first pair of snowshoes and later for her first real spring. She sort of embodies that phrase “long winter’s nap” and we loved scooping her up from pose to pose as she dreamed spring dreams (maybe).
The pink bonnet worn above, by the way, has been handed down over 3 generations in her family and was one of the special touches they brought with them to the session.
This little ones siblings are showcased in what looks like a spring dream – our favorite orchard – the first of April. Only a week before their little sister was born, we took these portraits of them. The family owns tons of gorgeous antique pieces of furniture and we incorporated several into the photographs of the kids. These two are so bright-eyed and photogenic; working with them was too fun.
Two weeks after the orchard session, they all returned to our studio and seeing the three of them together was truly special. They were so calm and gentle with their new sister. We can only imagine the adventures this trio is going to have in the years to come. At Pixels, we use the word gratitude often and that is not an accident. New lives, expanded families, the beginnings of marriages, milestone occasions waltz into our lives and studio every week and we are overcome with gratitude. Grateful we get a glimpse into the lives and joys of others and that we’ve been tapped to document those moments. It is an absolute blessing in so many ways.
fotos de una familia amorosa que celebran su miembro más reciente (photos of a loving family celebrating their newest member) photographing newborn baby Isabelle
Spaniard Diego Velazquez painted many, many portraits in the 17th century, but Las Meninas (The Bridesmaids) may be his most famous. It’s a painting of a painting and Velazquez even painted himself painting in it. It’s smart and layered, playful and beautiful, but it’s interesting to us because it’s not a portrait of the bride – but of all the others that surround a big event. It’s about the community of family.
Now flash forward 400 years or so and Pixels gets a call from the Castillio family asking us to take photos of their precious new daughter Isabelle. You know how much we love newborn photo sessions….. the babies are so snuggly and cute (and pliable! remember we often fold them into baskets, buckets, pots, etc.), so we were ready with all of the goods in our studio to show off Isabelle’s sweetness. The Castillios place a higher value on family though, so a coterie of loving family arrived with mom Vanessa and dad Henry. In tow were big sister Jasmine, 3 grandparents and 2 uncles. Family reunion meets celebration meets new baby portrait session.
We so admire these cultural differences, all the while knowing that family is universal, regardless of continent, language, or century. It just seems easy to forget during our busy current lives until it spills happily into your studio. The entire time we were behind the camera, there was constant conversation (all in Spanish), laughing, smiling, and hugging . They never stopped and while we understood little, it was easy to see that they were two families brought together as one, celebrating their newest edition. Our studio was awash in their joy.
There is no doubt that this little bundle will be surrounded by love every day. Her portrait session ended up including many of those who will love her and have her back for the most important moments of her life. Just look up and you can see that they all have eyes for her, are already grateful for her and making plans to celebrate, protect and cherish her. The pic of Isabelle with her big sister Jasmine snuggling her and grinning really touched us. How many stories will they share? How many late night laughs will they have? How will they lift each other up, store the others secrets and make each other better?
For the millionth time, we’re grateful for the ways we get to envision and capture families and what the word family means.
Dios bendiga a las familias que rodean unos a otros con amor. (God bless families who surround each other with love.)
the many faces and personalities revealed when photographing a 6 month old
“My tastes are simple: I am easily satisfied with the best.”
-Winston Churchill
Carson – only satisfied with the best. The best hat. The best suspenders…..
The temptation to place a thought bubble or caption for every single picture of Carson Mathis (6 months) is killing us. KILLING US. Look at him!! So, since we value life,… we’re going for it. He’s a slice of Winston Churchill, Alfred Hitchcock, Bagger Vance and James Cromwell’s character in Babe.
Jay Gatsby meets Bagger Vance meets Carson Mathis
The great film director, Alfred Hitchcock was an obvious choice for a comparison to Carson. The cheeks. The intensity. The innate brilliance!
While little Carson cannot write or direct films, or control much of anything at the moment (like what smart and spiffy clothes his mom decides to dress him in), he’s got tons of personality. Mom Meagan chooses the hats, the clothes, the boots and shoes he styles. We invited them to our outdoor studio and had a blast with the costume changes and unexpected facial expressions. The pic above was his Easter outfit. All the attention shouldn’t go to the girls with their hats and gloves after all, right?? Below he is as our little farm hand with his Carhartt bib overalls, ball cap and John Deere tractor.
“HEY!… lift that barge, tote that bale… it’s hard out here on the farm.”
“I’m busy, people. And you’re making me sit here!!”
The farm outfits are a nod to Carson’s inclusion in a long line of family farmers. He’s already riding on John Deere tractors on his dad’s lap.
“Like my boots?? My grandpa gave them to me. And that’s me flying on the right with Mommy. Check out my leg extension. It’s important to keep you core muscles strong.”
“I look mighty, but I’m snuggly too. Just ask my folks.”
Winston Churchill said, “History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.” Now there is a legacy to chase. Being kind, making an impact, being remembered….
“I’ve got the whole world ahead of me and my family beside me. Now, where’s my shirt?”
We look forward to seeing the Mathis’s many times over the coming years and watching their family grow and what Carson will do and become. He’s got the cute part down, the farming part is in progress and the dapper characteristics are developing as well. Who on earth will he be? And isn’t that the fun part anyway? The wondering and discovering?