Posts in Category: Families
ostendarp family portraits | then and now family photography
Pixels On Paper had the honor of photographing the entire Ostendarp family, three generations and four families within the family, in Charlotte, NC six years ago. From the moment we captured a particular image of the grandkids walking and running across the bridge at Freedom Park and circling around our lens, we knew that one day we would HAVE to recreate these moments. Well, recently we had the chance to do just that.
Lois Ostendarp and her husband Ken have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. When Lois asked us to capture the extended family in August 2006, we were thrilled and dove in head first. When they saw the photos, everyone commented on how neat it would be to photograph the youngest generation again years later to see how all of the grandkids had changed.
Six years later, what Lois did not know was that her children had not forgotten that wish either, and when it was time to celebrate a milestone birthday for Lois, her daughter-in-law Courtney reached out on the family’s behalf and put into motion the surprise gift of a lifetime that involved Pixels On Paper family photography. It took a few tries to get the schedules coordinated between all of the 7 grandkids’ sports, camps and other activities, but we nailed down the time and everything was set.
Ostendarp grandchildren August 2006
Ostendarp Grandchildren June 2012
What came out of the family portrait session was nothing short of amazing. We brought the original images and recreated 3 different photographs. When we compared the pictures, it was crazy to see just how much each grandchild had grown and changed. The youngest generation still remembered that moment from six years ago, the fun they had and the memories that were captured with their cousins. Even now while some have become teenagers they were just as eager to capture another moment that would bring pure joy to their Grandmother.
Ostendarp grandchildren August 2006
Ostendarp Grandchildren June 2012
The family was able to present Lois with the new photos at her birthday celebration. We would have loved to have been there to see the look on her face, but prior engagements kept us away. What was incredible was the message we received from Lois a few days after:
“Misty & Ryan ~
Just wanted to drop you a note to say a great big thank you for being so flexible in helping the kids to put together a 5-6 year later retake of that wonderful photo coming across the bridge at Freedom Park. Misty, you always said you wanted to take that shot again in 5 years! What a wonderful surprise, and it was probably the best birthday gift I have ever received. AND they are resolved to do it one more time when the kids will range from 16-21 years old. Yikes! Anyway, it is beautiful and so is the second photo take ‘from the ground up’ of all of them. What a treat and what a thrill for me.”
Ostendarp grandchildren August 2006
Ostendarp Grandchildren June 2012
Ostendarp Family Portrait August 2006
We look forward to the day when the phone rings again asking us to take the next round of photos. It will be an honor for us to keep the tradition going!
If you would like family portraits, we are booking sessions all the time, just send us a message through the contact form or call 704.641.1131.
 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License. |
bennett family photography | pixels on paper creative photography
The Bennett family holds a special place in our hearts for many reasons. We got to know them through our work with the Charlotte Checkers Hockey Team and have considered them part of the family ever since. We were thrilled when they wanted us to capture their memories during a family photography session and we recently made it happen!
The Bennett’s story is beyond remarkable. They moved to North Carolina from New York last year following their favorite hockey team which also moved from Albany to Charlotte. This might seem a bit extreme for even the most serious of sports fans but to truly understand it, you must witness it. Danielle and Zach Bennett (or “Bug” as the hockey players call him) have neurofibromatosis. Zach and the entire family simply love the team that helped them through some tough times including 20+ surgeries, extended hospital stays, and the simple struggles that come with every day life. When the team, the integral encouragement system, moved South the Bennet family knew they had to as well. A bonus was that the medical care in Charlotte, NC is better and closer than where they were living.
Take a few moments to watch this awesome video featuring the Bennett family as captured last year by ESPN 360. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L78sf_-Kc_s
Being a part of the Charlotte Checkers family of staff never meant more to us than it did during the moments that we were able to know and love the entire Bennett family. The strength that is displayed by the family is part of what makes us love them so much. Through everything that they have experienced, they manage to pull through it together. They are an inspiration in that through out life you have a choice to take the bad and either let it get you down, or face it head on and tackle it, or better yet to “check it” into the boards and come out a winner!
The Bennett’s are running full steam ahead into a new set of challenges. On January 31st Mom Danielle will be having amputation surgery. Danielle says that her strength comes from Zach. But knowing and loving Danielle the way we do we would say they all four gain strength from each other. What goes around definitely comes around and in this case their strength is contagious.
The day of our family photography session was a cool winter day, but not cold enough to put the shoot off. In fact, Danielle had to get in a jab or two about it not being cold at 45 degrees in January. And that southerns didn’t know what true cold was until they had endured NY winters. We photographed a great family and had a ton of fun with them. Despite the pain and difficulty moving they were determined to have a photograph of all four family members standing together without the wheel chairs. It was a powerful moment. And a moment that was more of a blessing to our lives than they will ever comprehend. It was a justification that God gave us these skills and gifts for a purpose and that we are right where we are supposed to be, doing exactly what God wants us to be doing.
Thanks Randy and Danielle for allowing us to photograph these memories, we are truly inspired by you and your family and love you guys so much! We are happy to call you friend.
Jenna has a special place in Misty’s heart, and as we were packing up, Misty saw a shot that she had to capture. She pulled Jenna aside and photographed some stunning shots that we will treasure as much as the Bennetts will.
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dustin + kristen { family portrait pictures} pixels on paper
It is very exciting for use when we have photographed a couples wedding and they return for all their future creative portrait photography needs. Just like these two! Kristen and Dustin are still technically newlyweds with less than a year of marriage behind them. They love photos and are determined to begin the tradition of annual family portrait pictures. Like I’ve been saying for years to other couples, you don’t have to have kids to have portrait pictures! Kristen and Dustin’s family currently consists of the two of them and one super cute fur-baby named Tiger.
Enjoy the pictures of this super cute and sweet couple!
Take a peek back at Kristen and Dustin’s wedding photos here. And see more of our creative portrait photography on our website.
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frank | model headshot | pixels on paper
We’ve been photographing Frank at different times this year capturing model headshots for his modeling portfolio. He is a great guy with big ambitions and talents ranging from fashion model to motor cross super star. The shocker… he is only 15! He is going to go far and we are looking forward to watching it happen.
In case you missed it, be sure to check out Frank’s portrait session earlier this year here. And if you or someone you know has a gig for Frank let us know and we’ll put you in touch.
View other portrait sessions by Pixels On Paper on our website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.
the boyle’s { family portrait }
Brittany and Brian have been friends of Pixels On Paper for quiet a while. We’ve had the opportunity to create many graphic design projects for their businesses, Gaston Rehab Associates, Inc. and the Physical Performance Center. So we were thrilled recently when Brittany lined up a family portrait session with us while extended family members were visiting from out of town. Brittany and Brian’s little boy Thayne is just the cutest and what better way to capture memories than to get portraits of him not only with his parents but also with his grandparents.
What truly made this session awesome and unique is that we captured traditional posed family portraits AND non-posed totally candid portraits of the whole family playing together. The candid images are photographs that we think truly capture the heart of the family. They cause a reaction of emotion and even laughter. These are images that when Thayne is grown and has a family of his own he will look back on and remember the moments and not just the setting. Consider this creative photography option during your next family portrait.
We are now scheduling 2011 fall portrait sessions. Be sure to contact us to schedule your session in and around Charlotte or the NC High Country. To view these and other family portraits and child portraits view the Pixels On Paper website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.