Reid Family Gathering in photos

Reid family Pixels On Paper Boomer NC outdoor portrait photographers photo

This gorgeous family are new clients for us and they have absolutely no connection with this area. We love meeting new faces and they brought 15 new faces with them when they all converged on Boomer, NC.

Because the family is spread out all over the country, the children of the Reid parents, literally found a place where everyone could meet, rented the mountain house for a family gathering and called us in to take photos of three generations. It was a beautiful day when Ryan arrived and the vistas and grounds of the home made for an ideal setting for group and individual photos. I love the kids in their colorful clothes hugging and smiling.

I love the idea of finding a spot on the map, renting a house, finding a photographer and just making it happen. Family photos are absolutely worth it. The kids played and caught lizards and the adults caught up. With families living in all parts of the country and world these days, time with cousins, nieces and nephews is pretty precious and priceless if you ask me.

We hope the Reids will make retreating to the NC mountains in Boomer an annual event and that every few years or so, they’ll call us up to come get new photos of their wonderful family.


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 weddingsbrides, 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.

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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.

WCC Culinary Arts Building

It has been a summer of commercial shoots and it’s been all Ryan and I could not be more proud or more grateful to have his talent and partnership in work and life. His eye for good client work and the best ways to promote it through clean, gorgeous photography is impressive. Am I biased? Probably, but that doesn’t mean that I’m wrong.

Today’s feature is the new Culinary Arts Building at Wilkes Community College. Built by our clients MBI Builders, this new Culinary Arts building is ready for new students this fall.

Pixels On Paper Commercial photographers MBI Builders Wilkes Community College Culinary Arts Building Photo

I can see the students filling each of these spaces and each of these stations and learning all they will need to know to be excellent chefs, line cooks, hospitality experts, and small business owners. Growth in an individual life meets economic growth and the culinary arts is indeed a growing specialty on campus.

We have a great working relationship with MBI Builders and have been photographing their amazing work in the private, residential sector over the years. This firm also does elegant commercial work for government contracts, parks and recreation and industry leaders like Procor.

Pixels On Paper Commercial photographers MBI Builders Wilkes Community College Culinary Arts Building Photo

We love graphic design and commercial photography whether logo design, brochure design, head shot photos, architectural photography or product shots. At Pixels On Paper we pride ourselves in listening to a broad range of clients and customizing our photography and graphic design services to meet each individual request. Our skills, styles, and visions come together to be a permanent record that either reflects an identity or delivers a message that speaks to thousands. We would be honored to meet with you, learn about you and your business needs. Email us at mail@pixelsonpaper.net or call 336.990.0080 to learn more, receive a quote or to let us know how we can put our skills to work for you.

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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.

The Gift of Photography

Do you want to give the gift that keeps on giving? Give someone a pet.
OK, that is not the point of this blog, but this blog is indeed about giving.

Madelene and Gary Johnson are best buddies with Pixels’ clients Janet & Mike Martinez, the owners of North Carolina Mountain Investments. Janet and Mike wanted to give their friends something that they would love for Christmas last year, and happily for us, it was a gift certificate for a photo session. You know what this means: happy givers, happy receivers and happy photographers.

Johnson family and pet outdoor portrait todd nc photographers photo

Madelene and Gary asked that we photograph them at their home away from home outside of Jefferson, NC, so we met them and their family there and it was spectacular. Their family consists of their two beloved dogs and as dog owners, we are always excited to be around and photograph animals.

Ryan photographed this family along and even in the New River and around their lovely home and outdoor seating areas and we cannot wait for the Johnsons to be able to display these and share them with Janet and Mike.

Gift certificates make wonderful holiday, birthday, anniversary or just because presents, so if you have someone you’re not sure what to buy for, consider this a reminder!


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 weddingsbrides, 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.

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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.

Luka’s Newborn Photos

In J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, the title character says, “Little boys should never be sent to bed. They always wake up a day older.”
Sadly that’s too true, and moms everywhere will tell you they pray for a time when their sons can be more independent, while they quietly mourn it too.

Luka Becerra newborn pixels on paper wilkesboro nc family portrait photographers photo

This little bundle is Luka and he was in our studio with big brother Conner, Mom and Dad, Sierra and Dakota this summer to celebrate his arrival to planet earth. For this session, he had not had many nights of sleep, or time to grow up, so he was still the teeny boy we hoped he’d be.

This image above of these two boys makes me want to cry. They are so snuggled in and Conner loved having his new little brother in his arms. Oh, Lord, may that brotherly love continue forever.

Because Mama Sierra wanted some similar shots of her boys, I went back to sweet Conner’s newborn portraits from 2015 and set up Luka’s so that I could create side by sides. Luka is on the left and Conner is on the right. I know!! These two are more delicious than words can convey.

Having this crew in our studio allowed us to control props, diaper changes and temperature, but everything went smoothly and I was even able to use some new “boyish” props and colors in the mix.

We love these studio sessions where everyone can relax in a controled (mostly!) environment and we can capture a family with their new member.

Welcome to the World, Little Luka. 10 fingers, 10 toes, big eyes and soft skin: you’re already a classic.


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 weddingsbrides, 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.

88x31 lucy & glens valle crucis wedding photography | pixels on paper boone wedding photographers

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.

An Intimate Museum Wedding

So how exactly does one choose the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh, NC as the place to get married? Well, you walk yours dogs around the grounds, look at sculptures and fall in love with a place kind of like you fell in love with each other. Familiarity and beauty: works every time.

Charlene Gourlay and Jon Rathbun were married at the Museum in June of this year and while the ceremony was scheduled to be outside, the weather moved us in … and then back out. There was no harm done, because it was beautiful inside and we were still able to capture the couple and their entire wedding party outside around the various windows, pools, walkways and green spaces.

Charlene Gourlay Jon Rathbun Pixels On Paper Photography Raleigh NC Museum of Art Wedding Photo

There were so many beautiful spots to grab photos of these two, and while we were new to the spot, we’d done our homework and it was an embarrassment of riches. Their dream of a wedding planner – Morgan – ran everything like a Swiss timepiece. He was so familiar with the Museum that he gave us plenty of extra ideas and tips.

Some couples don’t want to do a “first look” when the bride shows herself to the groom prior to the ceremony, but this couple chose to because the setting was so gorgeous. It did NOT take away from Jon’s reaction when he saw Charlene walking down the aisle.

One particularly sweet and comic touch was the couple’s ring bearer. He donned sunglasses and showed that he was the day’s “tight security,” complete with ear piece and briefcase.

Since Charlene’s father is no longer with us, they did something extremely touching as part of their ceremony. Charlene walked halfway down the aisle and then Jon walked the rest of the way to fetch her and escort her to the pastor. It wasn’t just charming, it was really tender.

I hope that urban brides will remember that not every wedding needs to be in a church, and that places of interest – with lots of art, sculpture and open spaces – make great reception locations. The weather would have been described as dodgy in just about any other location, but because they selected the museum, it was impossible to take a bad shot. Gorgeous couple and a perfect spot.

The reception was indoors and the details of art made it special and really cool for capturing images that will last a lifetime. It was an easy-going and fun reception with lots of dancing, music and a great DJ, and plenty of mingling and listening to stories from the family and friends present. This is always such a fun part of shooting any wedding – learning more about the couple from those who truly know them and adore them.

Charlene and Jon made their great escape using glowsticks and it was as beautiful as the rest of the day. Blue light and lots of love and a kiss before they left to go start the next big chapter of their lives.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to you both. We loved being a part of your big day.

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 weddingsbrides, 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.

88x31 lucy & glens valle crucis wedding photography | pixels on paper boone wedding photographers

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.