Posts in Category: Families
1 silent auction ~ 1 horse farm ~ and 3 generations of VanMeters
Early this spring, we wrote about photographing 3 generations of one family on a single day – the Perry Family in Linville, NC. We loved celebrating with them and watching them interact with each other. Honestly, it’s fascinating (read: funny, surprising, humbling) just to see parents and babies together, forget multiple generations. But watching grandparents plus parents, plus siblings and a 3rd generation toddler is even more fascinating. It’s not as though we get a John Steinbeck novel type synopsis for every family photo shoot we do (although that would be cool). We ask questions, do our homework and show up ready to be present, inclusive and creative. This shoot was even more fun, because it was an unexpected prize. Emily VanMeter Styers (second from the left below) went to a silent auction and won our photo session! Nice, huh? And this very shot is one they all ordered enlargements of to hang in each of their houses.
Pixels would love to photograph your family – whether it’s on your property or at our studio – we have both inside and outside options by the way. Get in touch with questions and check out our other blogs.
“baby backdraft” conner joins the tevepaugh clan
He’s beat. Look at him. He fought the good fight, watched out for his brothers-in-arms, rescued those who needed to be saved and now, after some grub at the station, is racked out. He was trying to wipe down his gear when he gave up and that’s when we snapped this. There’s only so much a dude can do, you know? At some point, you just need to call it a day.
Conner Tevepaugh after a long day fighting fire
Conner Tevepaugh with fireman Daddy Casey
Conner belongs to these two below – Sierra & Casey Tevepaugh. We shot their amazingly cool wedding at Rendezvous Mountain State Park in Purlear, NC and it was memorable for so many reasons. They didn’t overdue it, weren’t overwrought about it and kept it personal and sweet. Some weddings are about hand-wringing and stress. This was NOT that wedding. They fell in love and got married. It was awesome. Simple, gorgeous, fun and surrounded by love, laughter and true celebration.
Waddell / Tevepaugh NC Rendezvous Mountain wedding
Casey is serious about his job as a volunteer firefighter. The term “die-hard” has been used to describe him and it’s right on. Incorporating the firefighting theme into newborn son Conner’s photo shoot was an easy choice. Clearly, this little creature is comfortable in that setting anyway.
The Tevepaugh family own a beautiful orchard and for generations they’ve been photographing family members among the blossoms, but also in handmade apple crates. Photos of the kids and grandkids in these hang in the orchard’s store/barn to this day. Conner’s great grandfather, Bob Walsh, crafted the wooden baby cradle seen below. Bob is a brilliant woodworker and Conner was placed in his creation for this shoot.
Conner cradled in family love
Mom Sierra and Baby Conner in repose
Fate (and poet Robert Burns) tell us that the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Conner may become a Titan of Industry and wear a suit every day. Or maybe he’ll be a first responder like his dad or farmer like his Grandfather. Either way, his family will impart a love of nature, a desire to serve others, a sense of mirth and adventure and an understanding of how to be together and go with the flow. We LOVE the Tevepaughs and will love watching their family grow.
Pixels offers a photo shoot for newborns to ALL those couples who hire us to photograph their wedding. We’re not mere shutterbugs. We love to capture your big day and, should you choose to start a family, we want to capture your baby as well. Family comes in a variety of forms, but we’re in no matter what shape it takes.
the rogers family ~ a study in “body English” ~ funny faces & faith
Gabriel Rogers is the head pastor at Kingdom Christian Church in Charlotte, NC and he and his wife Stephanie have three children Lauren, Gabe (the middle fella) and the baby of the family, Christian. They are a handsome family and very much loved. Members of their church decided to take up a collection so that they could have a family photo session with us, as well as some extra money to create wall art after our session. These members (like the Rogers themselves) are people after our own heart. They believe in honoring what’s important and capturing memories at different times in life and keeping them as family heirlooms to be passed along.
Pixels captured these photos on a chilly day at The Green Uptown in Charlotte. We immediately noticed their body language: funny, loving, engaged with each other and very silly – particularly the older two kids, Gabe and Lauren. In fact, they were experts in pulling faces to crack up their parents and “make them smile bigger!” Every picture tells a story, as the song goes. Check out the expressions in these pics…!
Gabe Rogers, Jr. stealing the show
Tell us that Gabe Jr. isn’t an uproar in this shot above!! And the photos of his parents (below) speak volumes. Mom Stephanie’s expression shows all the love, patience, humor and sweetness one would expect from a mother of three and pastor’s wife. It also shows strength and a robust dose of sass. Gabriel’s posture reads as, “head of the family” and “proud man of God.” Based on these two photos alone, it’s no wonder their congregants love them so dearly.
Three Musketeers below – big smile from little Christian, sweetness and light from big sis Lauren and the patented “don’t mess with my brother and sister” expression from Gabe Jr. (We send our prayers out to Gabriel and Stephanie for when these three are in their teens, but then we send those prayers out to all parents….)
The Rogers Children – (L-R) Christian, Lauren, Gabe Jr.
The Roger Family at The Green Uptown in Charlotte, NC
Gabe Rogers, Jr and sister Lauren Rogers
While we love the way these five were around each other this past January, we also love the spirit that drives them to be examples in their sphere of influence. They make a difference and their work and worth will have an untold impact, not just on each other, but to those they’ve not even met yet. We were thrilled to be able to provide a canvas wrap collection to go in their living room along with several prints they had frames for.
God Bless you Rogers.
Ivy Myers ~ the likeness of Garbo’s girl of “the moment” becomes the daughter of a lifetime
We showed this picture of newborn Ivy Myers to a writer friend of ours and she burst out laughing. “It’s Greta Garbo!” Beautiful, bored, tired and she wants to be [said in best German accent] alone. Ivy’s eyes, at half-mast like Garbo’s, is also glamorous and seems to crave both privacy and a nap.
Ivy however is not alone. She was very much wanted and is probably right this minute being snuggled within an inch of her life. Kim and Justin Myers, her mom and dad, had been trying to have a child for years and finally decided that they were going to be the fun aunt and uncle – relishing time with nieces and nephews and their friends’ kids. After years of praying and planning though – they now have sweet Ivy, the product of an open adoption. She is a delicious answer to prayers and a dream come true.
There’s just something about her little left hand that is hilarious …. “Oh me…. I’ve been here a mere few months and I’ve already got a fan base!”
At Pixels, we prayed during the adoption process, because Kim booked us before she was “theirs” and we knew how much they were ready for her. And then suddenly, they were parents. Creating the baby announcement cards was such a joy. Kim and Justin were now Kim, Justin and Ivy.
When it was time for Ivy’s 6 month photo session, the Myers came back to our studio in Wilkesboro, NC and Ivy had changed so much. Don’t you love it when children grow at this stage? They have those super-round Charlie Brown heads with all of their features relegated to the middle of their faces? There is all of this real estate of forehead, cheeks, chin that is perfect for smooching and snacking on. That was Ivy this past December 2014. She was also more interested in listening to Beyonce than Sesame Street tunes during the shoot. Yet another diva move!! But really, she’s more love bug than anything with her rolls and irresistible grin.
Ivy is proof that sometimes you actually do get what you want, even when the odds seem against you. Timing is impossible to control, but patience can be life-changing. At Pixels, we love these stories of how faith and a true resolve can produce unexpected rewards… like a family.
the perry family ~ one spot and 3 generations
“All that history, the love & laughter, is designed for youth. It is what keeps the story of who we are alive from one generation to the next. It ensures our indelible mark in the souls of generations we will never have the pleasure of holding in a warm embrace. Life is short people.” – E.B. Loan
You can find your way back to family using one of those ancestry sites – and they are amazing. You can also get several generations together and capture a moment like we did with the Perry family in Linville, NC …. 3 Generations. Count ’em – THREE.
While all 3 families live in Durham, NC, they wanted to gather at their second family/vacation home in Linville, NC to capture the Matriarch and Patriarch and their 2 sons along with their wives and 5 children. The setting and day turned out to be gorgeous – and so did the multiple groups of Perry’s. Sundress, sandals, shades of blues among the greens of outside and family members ranging from months old to decades old.
Pixels on Paper loves family photos that put a pin in a moment of time … grandmas & grandpas, moms & dads, kiddos, cousins, nieces & nephews, even beloved pets. We’ve watched our clients over time look back and say “Oh, there’s our schnauzer Molly when you were just 3 years old!” Or, “I cannot believe we were all so YOUNG!” It’s caught in time for good. The Perry’s, in particular the little ones dressed up and being held in laps, will treasure these as heirlooms some day. As the quote above says, “life IS short people.” So gather your clan and let us capture you all for the generations you don’t even know are coming.
