Posts Tagged: asheville wedding photography
bridal portraits – a fairy in the woods
The fairy poet takes a sheet
Of moonbeam, silver white;
His ink is dew from daisies sweet,
His pen a point of light.
~Joyce Kilmer
Painter Maxfield Parrish loved showcasing light, lush settings and often women of pure beauty in his work. Rebekah would have been one of his studies or models for sure. We love light in the mountains too and we took these photos of her in the gardens and forest in Blowing Rock, NC. It was a place where she roamed as a kid, running around and playing make believe.
We met Rebekah at the High Country wedding expo in Boone in February of this year and our conversation was not so much about wedding details as about travel, growing up in the high country of North Carolina, our shared love of the arts, Scottish roots (check out her tartan below), and dreams of woodland fairies.
In 2011, we photographed bride Erica in a forest in Banner Elk. Photos from this session have remained one of my all time favorites. I loved how magical the forest looked and the juxtaposition of Erica’s couture gown in the midst. One of the images is in our studio and on display at tradeshows. In passing I mentioned to Rebekah that I believed fairies lived there. Instantly we connected and shared our enthusiasm and she mentioned wanting a similar portrait for herself.
While Parrish was not our inspiration, our bridal session with Rebekah had that feel… lush, bright and magical. When we planned Rebekah’s bridal portraits, our goal was to find a magical location that reminded her of where fairies might live.
Do you have a theme or idea in mind for your bridal portraits? Please share it with us. We would love to recreate or create a look for your session.
Mr. & Mrs. Shumate ~ a wedding of authenticity, beauty, intimacy and family
Authenticity is a word so entirely overused, and poorly I might add, that its meaning and importance have been pretty much hijacked. As with other things of value, authenticity can become diminished and ultimately ignored. In an effort to take it back (“she said, shaking her fist in the air”), we present Amber and Andy Shumate and their August wedding photos.
Rather than put down the many ways we falsely refer to things and people, causes and characteristics as authentic, here’s a quickie review: authentic means true. It means real. It’s not something that needs to be self-important or self-referential, or high end to make a statement or low end to make a statement – it just is undeniable. That’s who Amber and Andy are – they are real and they don’t pretend to be anything other than themselves… happy to be together, solid, and in love.
They said their vows in Rendezvous Mountain State Park in Purlear, NC where the views are amazing and seemingly endless. The chapel in the forest is a naturally secluded backdrop with a large picnic shelter just steps away that accommodates a reception. Honestly, it is one of Wilkes County’s best-kept rustic wedding locations.
Andy is a fireman and works for the NC Forestry Service and he and Amber spend a lot of their time together in the great outdoors. Photographing them in the forest and overlooking the mountains seemed – pardon the pun – only natural.
We photographed their engagement in June and their wedding was quite similar because of their desire to include family and focus on the people, faith and values that ground them.
Andy’s daughter Ashlyn is central to their lives.
While she is Amber’s step-daughter, the two are already incredibly close and because of this, Ashlyn’s role in the wedding was primary… and particularly tender. Together they were all creating a new life, a new thing, a new family.
The details at the wedding were also perfect for the day and the couple: they were hand-made, heart-felt, creative and deeply personal.
Is there anything more powerful than seeing families blend? Than seeing a couple come together after beating life’s odds, and then make a plan not just for themselves, but for the next generation?
Isaiah 43:19: See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Congratulations and nothing but love and joy to you guys!
a late summer wedding that captures the setting, the details and the romance
Any wedding planner, wedding photographer, wedding magazine editor or veteran wedding attendee has a list of elements they feel make a wedding sublime. The invitations, the setting, the music, the food, the personal touches and now the many ways to share the day via social media. We love the details as far as the ceremony and reception go (we love seeing how each couple “brands” themselves on their big day), but way more importantly, it’s the couple. It’s always the couple and everyone who loves them and surrounds them with that love. The Bare-Rash wedding was one of those perfect weddings and we do not say that lightly. From the personal to the paid-for, everything was just right from beginning to end.
Pre-ceremony hugs and prayers.
Micala Bare and Tyler Rash got married this August at Bethany Church in Todd, NC and held their reception at Doughton Hall Bed & Breakfast in Laurel Springs, NC. The setting was simply amazing, complete with an historic stone church, quaint red barn and miles of green in a landscape of rolling hills and mountains.
(YAY, North Carolina landscapes. For the millionth time – you ROCK!!)
I spoke of “the elements” that make a wedding successful…. we photographers cherish light and the weather was the headliner, just behind the bride, groom and setting. From first thing in the morning until late in the evening, the lighting was our friend. Both inside and out, everyone shined.
Men who wear argyle together, stick together.
These two shared what is now being called a “First Touch” before the ceremony. We do everything we can to orchestrate these moments so that they’re private, unobtrusive and romantic. The couple don’t lay eyes on each other during this time, but can touch, speak to each other, exchange letters and just be near each other before really meeting when the bride first walks down the aisle.
“We cried when the wedding was about to begin and we knew we were about to see each other for the first time.”
The best moment of their wedding ceremony?
“When we were finally able to kiss each other and when we were pronounced as Mr. and Mrs. Tyler Rash!”
We took Micala and Tyler’s engagement photos in June and this pair continues to get more and more romantic. [Check out how they got engaged…. particularly romantic. The groom-to-be played the guitar. Just saying….]
Three favorite things they want to remember about the day:
“The moment we exchanged our letters with each other and what each of our letters said.”
“The moment when we realized that the groom’s wedding band had been forgotten and a member of our wedding party had to crawl on her hands and knees for a replacement, which happened to be the bride’s great grandpa’s ring.”
“When everyone left the reception and we finally got to go up to our room for the first time, where we had a bottle of champagne and a cheese and fruit tray waiting for us.”
The reception was a blast. Even with a little bit of rain, everyone danced, played games, and partied! Micala: “When asked about the reception, we almost always mention when the DJ asked everyone to form the huge line and all of the guests joined in to dance around the reception area.”
Micala & Tyler wanted their wedding reception under the stars. And this again called for perfect lighting and it was there. Receptions with tents are elegant, but being out of cover was more festive and more beautiful than we could have hoped for.
“I Do.” “Me, too.” Forever.
beautiful wedding, beautiful day, beautiful beginning ….
“The best moment of the day was when we were pronounced husband and wife as Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Williams.
This put all of the hours of preparation and prayer into perspective that we are finally one.”
Let’s back up, though. We photographed Kendall Williams – nee Shepherd – for her bridal portraits in the luscious outdoors off the Blue Ridge Parkway. As much as Nathan and Kendall love being outside, the wedding was brought to town and took place at a church in Wilkesboro, NC.
Quick aside: we love the shots above….. her leaning on him and his back so straight and then the pair of them sharing a quiet moment after the intensity of the ceremony.
We asked them for some thoughts about the day: “The butterflies and anticipation leading up to the meeting in the altar. The joy, happiness and excitement that was expressed for us. To always remember that we are loved.”
These two wrote each other letters that they exchanged before the ceremony and then read. They are ridiculously thoughtful and what you hope a bride and groom are like on their wedding day – and all the days after.
As anyone can see from her bridal portraits, Kendall is a pure and classic beauty, but brides need to prep and we loved capturing the details of her with her maids, flower girl and of the handsome groom.
Nathan and Kendall’s reception took place on the Doc and Merle Watson stage used for MerleFest. It’s an epic spot in Wilkesboro and perfect for eating, chatting, dancing and being with your biggest fans and loved ones.
Kendall’s father gave a toast that brought the house down and the day into perspective. Nervous as he was (he paced, taking the mic in and out of range… very endearing), he spoke tenderly about how they needed to have God in their marriage and the importance of love in all of its forms. It’s no wonder this couple is so special; they come from good stock.
“Our favorite moment from the reception was our first dance together … as we swayed to ‘You Had Me From Hello.’ It was as if we were the only ones there in that perfect moment of carefree peace, pure happiness and true love.”
How do you top that? It’s the quintessential wedding ideal. Everyone blurs into the background and you’re with the one you get to leave with and live with and grow with going forward.
We love events of all shapes and sizes….. weddings, engagements, Fall portraits, family pics, baby sessions and any chance to capture you doing what you love to do with those you love. Contact us at Pixels on Paper and let’s discuss your ideas and set a date.
pixels 10th anniversary ~ an accomplishment celebrated with gratitude, a big party, reflection & magic
Being married AND being in business together is hard work. It’s a balance of being a wife and husband and being bosses. Trying to maintain a household and a relationship while growing a business adds an enormous amount of pressure and stress. Because of this, we felt that 10 years was an even bigger accomplishment than most and we wanted to celebrate. – Misty
Ryan & Misty Case – Owners of Pixels on Paper
Ryan was always artistic as a kid. The problem was the he was artistic on the walls and mom didn’t like that so much. He spent a lot of time in time-out.
Misty manages to dance between creative and chaotic fun and precise technical skill. It shows up in her pictures. Crazy, chaotic fun during a photo shoot is perfectly framed, perfectly lit, and beautifully captured.
The secret to a magical marriage is not to merge with the other person and become one. It is about each member of the marriage learning to honor, respect, and embrace the differences of the other. There is strength in those individual differences that allows a couple to see and experience things better than either individual alone. Ryan and Misty understand that in their own marriage and it is particularly evident when they photograph an event together. Each brings a unique perspective to their photography and when their perspectives are combined, ordinary events become magical and magical events become memories that last a lifetime.
– Ryan’s brother Scot
Misty and Ryan are salt of the earth kind of people. They are honest, caring, witty, and have become like family to us. Misty has inspired me to become a better version of myself through her friendship.
– friend and client, Rachel
Before the party began, our friends Stephanie & Brad Huxter prayed with us. They prayed for our marriage, for the past 10 years, for our clients and even for those clients we haven’t met yet. They prayed strength, creativity and for grace for the next 10 years as Pixels. It all happened outside on the studio property and was the BEST way to begin the evening. – Misty
Prayers for the past 10 years, the big day ahead, our family, our clients, and the next 10.
There was such build up to the event for months before and loads of work went into the preparations. From doing house projects, fire pit stone work, sunflower garden planting, yard work, general sprucing up, to working with the vendors on all the big and little details, …. then the day of was such a good time. We have always heard brides and grooms say that they don’t remember all of the little details of the day, and that we captured things they never saw. Well Mike Anderson did that exact thing for us.
– Ryan
Ryan and I didn’t even see the food on display much less get to eat it. The caterers brought us plates of food after they had packed everything away but after a bite or two we would be distracted by being with our guests. We still talk about the disbelief that it even happened. One day the entire property looked like a carnival and in less than 24 hours there wasn’t a trace that it was ever there.
– Misty
I loved seeing and hearing 30+ kids playing together or being entertained at the kids tent. That brought the biggest smile to my face and even now brings tears because of the tremendous blessing it is to watch them grow. Having so many families together in one place at one time was/is inspiring. I wish I could have given every guest the amount of time and attention that they fully deserved and that I could have personally told each one thank you for making my dream a reality, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life and for being a part of mine, thank you for allowing me to preserve your memories.
– Misty
I feel that through all the weddings, portraits and designs we have been a part of over the last 10 years, that we have made more than just clients, we have made lasting friendships. We love to see them grow as well, both as families and as individuals. We have been fortunate enough to celebrate good times with them, as well as a few really hard times, and have built memories to last lifetime.
– Ryan
It was such a pleasure working Ryan and Misty on this event as the planner and as their friend. As business owners it is inspiring to see their inspiration and innovation for their work with clients and vendors alike. I don’t think any vendor who knows and was a part of this event did not leave inspired to do something new/different with their own business. Their studio is like no other and is the reason they have the amount of continued business….from senior portraits to weddings to first born sessions. The repeat business speaks volumes of this husband and wife team!
– vendor, client and friend, CeCe
What a well designed, well executed party. The love that went into ensuring every detail was perfect made the evening flawless. The entertainment was great, atmosphere was comfortable, and the dance floor was awesome. It is sometimes hard to attend a party when you only know the hosts, but that was not the case. Everyone we met was friendly and engaging and I expect nothing else from the circle that surrounds Misty and Ryan.
– friend and client, Rachel
We so appreciated having family come in from Pennsylvania, Raleigh and Charlotte to help us celebrate meant a lot. It was awesome to see them interacting with our clients and have them understand why we have been as successful as we have from someone other than us.
-Ryan
The days after the party were almost depressing. After such a build up and such excitement, when the tents were down and gone, the dance floor was taken up and the yard was empty it was sad. It truly seemed like a dream since there was little evidence that anything happened (other than being sore from dancing and having such a good time). But the comments from those that were able to make it only makes me want to do it again at our 11 year anniversary.
– Ryan
Watching the magician perform …. there was disbelief, head shaking, surprise and laughter.
We are more than just a photography and design studio. We are creative and caring people, and we pour ourselves into what we do and give our all to make our clients’ memories special. – Ryan
This business is about sharing the blessings that God has given us. Opening our home and hearts and honoring the talents and opportunities that God has granted us. We hope our clients realize that they are precious and beautiful and loved. – Misty
Click here to see more photos from the day, where you may view and download.
Special thanks go to those who served our guests and us at this party. We could not love and appreciate you more!
Event Coordination & Design: CeCe Hampton Events
Invitations: Stephanie Huxter
Floral Deisgn: Lily Bee’s Floral
DJ: Gordon Hensley, Digital DJs
Face Painting: Fun & Creative Expressions
Magician: Jay Spry, Spry Guy Magic
Deserts: Indulge Bakery
Produce, Meats, & Cheese: New Appalachia
Appetizers: Jared Yelton, Boondocks Brewing Tap Room & RestaurantBeer , Wine & Bar tending: Kirk Irish & Boondocks Brewing
Catering: Reids Catering
Rentals: A&J Rentals
Linens: Party Reflections