Posts in Category: Seniors
2019 Prom photos of Celebrating, Best Friends
Prom season came and went and while we adults were occupied with grown up matters, the youth among us were getting gussied up for prom. This particular prom blog is special and not just because the color palette is so beautiful. I love the coral and navy, steel grey, shimmer and shine. These “near adults” are pretty wonderful creatures.
You may recognize Cherokee Church and Sydney Chambers from previous blogs. Those two girls are dear to my heart. Cherokee is the redhead in coral and Sydney (in the navy dress) is my cousin. We’re 20 years apart, but who’s counting? These two are best friends and have just graduated from high school, so this last prom was special for them. The other young lady in the grey gown is Ashley Anderson – who is a rising Senior in high school and her date – they’re just friends, relax! – is Evan.
The day of the prom was practically biblical, weather-wise. It wasn’t rain in the conventional sense. It led the news. There should have been frogs dropping from the sky and homes floating by. Perhaps there were and I missed it. While Ryan and I noticed the panic other photographers and prom folk were weathering (sorry), we were feeling blessed to have our indoor studio set up and a big covered porch to use. We were able to capture this crew in both settings and no one’s attire or hair was ruined.
I love that the girls still wear corsages and the guys still wear boutonnieres.
Because Sydney is my cousin and the age difference is expansive, I have some pretty distinct memories of her as a child. What is particularly special about the photos below is the way that they echo a memory.
When I was being fitted for my wedding gown – a gown that my mother and grandmother made – Sydney was a toddler. During the fittings, the gown would be pinned and come off and then tried on multiple times and when I was in it, Sydney wanted to “wear it” and play with the skirt and hemline. Fast-forward to 2019 and my own child could not stop playing in the skirt and hem of Sydney’s dress. Surreal and sweet is how I sum it up. A full circle moment.
I am so fond of these young ladies (and gent) and eagerly watch them enter the next chapter of their lives with great hope, faith and affection.
We love family portraits whether they are set in the studio, the great outdoors, a specific location like the mountains or high country, or on our property in our outdoor portrait garden. Pixels on Paper photographs, engagements and weddings, brides, and special events and portraits of all kinds in our Wilkesboro, NC studio. We would be honored to meet with you, learn about you and your family and be a part of taking special portraits that will become, we hope, family heirlooms.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States LicenseAll photos are ©2019 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.
McKenzie Goff | Senior Portraits
This lovely new graduate is McKenzie Goff and she just wrapped up high school at Wilkes Central. This time of year is heady for new graduates, because they are smack in the middle of so much transition, change, and possibility. Milestones seem to happen weekly and for McKenzie, this includes acceptance to the University of Tennessee.
The Goff family in 2012 
McKenzie at 13 years old in 2014 
We’ve been friends with and photographing the Goff family for a very long time, including capturing their Christmas card images and portraits of their two daughters – both of whom have grown into the most sensitive, beautiful and interesting young women.
We’re so excited to watch McKenzie head to Knoxville to become a full-fledged Volunteer and begin her next chapter: the nursing program! Girl: you got this and we’re rooting for you!
We love family portraits whether they are set in the studio, the great outdoors, a specific location like the mountains or high country, or on our property in our outdoor portrait garden. Pixels on Paper photographs, engagements and weddings, brides, and special events and portraits of all kinds in our Wilkesboro, NC studio. We would be honored to meet with you, learn about you and your family and be a part of taking special portraits that will become, we hope, family heirlooms.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States LicenseAll photos are ©2019 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.
Priscilla and Bo’s prom portraits
Sharing is caring.
In this case, Priscilla and Bo are sharing their prom experience and going with each other to their prospective special nights. Pretty sweet, huh? This means two dresses, two tuxes, two dinners and two big parties for this pair. Not a bad deal at all, now that I’ve typed it out and reread it. Why did no one call me and Ryan to, …..I dunno…. chaperone or choose the best dessert at dinner?
Priscilla is a graduating senior at North Wilkes High School and Bo is a Super Senior at Wilkes Early College. Priscilla’s Mom had the forethought to contact me prior to these prom dates in order to work out the best dates to capture photos.
Lucky for them, Bo’s prom night was first date on the calendar and during peak bloom period in the peach orchards. The plan was born from that. The couple looked stunning surrounded by blooms.
Despite how many times in my life that I’ve heard that red heads don’t look good in pink, I beg to differ. Priscilla is proof that gingers shine. Gingers in that we’ve photographed in the orchard are among the most beautiful portraits.
We’ve got loads of orchard photos to share in the coming weeks, so consider this the first taste!
We love family portraits whether they are set in the studio, the great outdoors, a specific location like the mountains or high country, or on our property in our outdoor portrait garden. Pixels on Paper photographs, engagements and weddings, brides, and special events and portraits of all kinds in our Wilkesboro, NC studio. We would be honored to meet with you, learn about you and your family and be a part of taking special portraits that will become, we hope, family heirlooms.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States LicenseAll photos are ©2019 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.
Senior Portraits & Graduation
One minute you’re holding them in your arms and staring at them like, “where did you come from?” And the next, they are about to graduate from high school to start the first big chapter as an adult. As we prepare for spring weddings, proms, wrap up Merlefest and a dozen other annual happenings, we are also gearing up for the senior portrait season.
For this blog, it seemed appropriate to share some words of wisdom with those about to graduate. I know we’re still a couple of months out, but congratulations!
“Before you act, listen. Before you react, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you criticize, wait. Before you quit, try.” – William Arthur Ward
“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The important thing is not to stop questioning.” – Albert Einstein
“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” – Henry Ford
“The unfortunate, yet truly exciting thing about your life, is that there is no core curriculum. The entire place is an elective.” – Jon Stewart
“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” – Henry Ford
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
If you have a senior ready to graduate this year or next year and want to capture this moment for keeps, contact us. We do not specialize is awkwardly posed studio shots. These shots of seniors showoff their personalities and style.
We love family portraits whether they are set in the studio, the great outdoors, a specific location like the mountains or high country, or on our property in our outdoor portrait garden. Pixels on Paper photographs, engagements and weddings, brides, and special events and portraits of all kinds in our Wilkesboro, NC studio. We would be honored to meet with you, learn about you and your family and be a part of taking special portraits that will become, we hope, family heirlooms.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License All photos are ©2019 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.
Senior Portraits – Part II
Senior portrait season isn’t too far away and while you’re getting the last use out of the Slip n Slide and charcoal grill, your rising seniors in high school may not be too excited about college applications and their last year classes, but BELIEVE YOU ME, they are excited about being seniors. We all remember it and it’s high energy, high adrenaline excitement, anticipation and fun.
Senior portraits can be buttoned up or casual, zany, elegant, include props, cars, costume changes, a cap and gown – or not – and be taken anywhere you like.
Here are a few more of our favorites.
Planning an outdoor senior portrait session is a win, if the weather behaves. These photos will not only mark a milestone, but can be used as gifts for grandparents, used in your announcement cards, or just become heirlooms. Wear your cap and gown if you have it or just choose your favorite outfits. We’ll handle the poses, help you choose places and if you prefer black and white to color – no problem. These are for you and about you!
You can see more of Paiton, Tiffany and Katie’s senior portraits or visit the Senior section of our blog to see them all. Don’t forget to schedule your session and call us for ideas if you need help.
We love family portraits whether they are set in the studio, the great outdoors, a specific location like the mountains or high country, or on our property in our outdoor portrait garden. Pixels on Paper photographs, engagements and weddings, brides, and special events and portraits of all kinds in our Wilkesboro, NC studio. We would be honored to meet with you, learn about you and your family and be a part of taking special portraits that will become, we hope, family heirlooms.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License
All photos are ©2018 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.