My vote for man of the year is my Ryan Case. And he did not pay me to say that. He’s the guy I married, work and live with, am raising a son with and have watched build, repair, rebuild around our house and cabin getaway too many times to count. He’s an exceptional manager, father, graphic designer, photographer, craftsman, funny man, hockey mascot and enthusiast and friend to many…. too, too many to count.

I wrote recently about parents and parenting and it got me thinking about men. The news isn’t always a big, warm hug. And advertising doesn’t always help. BUT! We are teaching our daughters how to identify and avoid the predatory jerks and we’re teaching our sons how not to become those guys. This blog is decidedly not political though, because and I’ve been blessed by watching, knowing, befriending and loving the better men among us – the good guys.

Above: when your gear becomes a baby basket for your newborn.
Below: sandbox time. Time to listen, create and play.

Happy father of two and a little man ready to be a big brother.

This officer and dad (above with his wife and little peanut) provided his hat for a newborn portrait (below).
York men – brothers and friends.This guy secretly planned a portrait session for his wife, preggers with their second child. He chose the location and clothing and surprised her.
Men prepping for a wedding: father and sons. Cuff links handed down and everyone all in.
Not quite a man yet, but he gets points for trying. It’s a wedding and dancing is part of the gig, after all.
The Hobin boys at the family camp.
This wonderful dad is now a father of two. And……….. still smiling.

Fathering a pre-teen.

Making baby Brock laugh.

Celebrating 50 years, in overalls with his favorite lady!

There still are men out there who work to be better listeners, who want to know those around them and show respect. They want to crack us up, swap stories, work along side and collaborate with us. They understand that we don’t need them, but are our fellow travelers, our friends, brothers, fathers, seekers and loves.

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.

All photos are ©2018 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.