Posts Tagged: Autumn family photos

Winter Outdoor Family Portraits ~ the Graybeals

Experts say repeatedly that couples should remember to put their marriage first, even when kiddies come along — sometimes especially when the kids come along. You have to remember why you fell in love and what you give each other and that marriages that last come from a unified couple. Ryan and I totally embrace this concept and demonstrated it recently when we photographed the Graybeal family. We made a point of capturing just Mom and Dad. They were once, after all, just Crystal and Adam.
outdoor family portraits lenior nc by pixels on paper wilkesboro photographers family pictures child photos portrait photography photo

We last photographed Crystal and Adam Graybeal for their wedding. Now, seven years later, there are two boys, big brother Colton and seven month old Landon. It’s pretty special to see and photograph them now as a family unit. As I mentioned though, getting new photos of just Crystal and Adam together again was a must. So many couples once they become parents neglect having photos with each other. We think it’s just as important to document the heads of the household for future generations as it is to photograph the unit as a whole.outdoor family portraits lenior nc by pixels on paper wilkesboro photographers family pictures child photos portrait photography photooutdoor family portraits lenior nc by pixels on paper wilkesboro photographers family pictures child photos portrait photography photooutdoor family portraits lenior nc by pixels on paper wilkesboro photographers family pictures child photos portrait photography photoIt didn’t feel like 7 years had passed since we got to hang with Crystal and Adam. The fun, laughs and teasing seemed to pick back up right where we left off. This time we were able to make friends with the new “little Graybeals.” Colton was a little shy upon first meeting us. After a few clicks of the shutter though, Ryan took him on a little exploration adventure through the nature trails, and that kid was shy no more. We were now a part of his entourage. As for wee one Landon, he won us over with his drooling grins and very expressive eye brows.outdoor family portraits lenior nc by pixels on paper wilkesboro photographers family pictures child photos portrait photography photooutdoor family portraits lenior nc by pixels on paper wilkesboro photographers family pictures child photos portrait photography photooutdoor family portraits lenior nc by pixels on paper wilkesboro photographers family pictures child photos portrait photography photooutdoor family portraits lenior nc by pixels on paper wilkesboro photographers family pictures child photos portrait photography photo

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We love a winter photo shoot and seeing the strength of good couple and their growing family out in it. Much love to burgeoning family units out there and forget the seven year itch! Love that works never gets old.

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.

Family portraits ~ 3 generations sustaining each other

When the late poet (and part-time North Carolinian) Maya Angelou said, “I sustain myself with the love of family,” she was speaking for pretty much all of us. There are exceptions of course, but even when you run away like another NC native, Asheville author Thomas Wolfe, you find that your dreams are always tied to home and family. How do we pull together? How do we sustain ourselves? The Johnsons are an example of what that pulling together looks like. They are tied together and holding on to each other through welcoming new lives and encountering new struggles.

Pixels On Paper Portrait Photography Wilkesboro, Boone, Blowing Rock, family portrait photographers photo

Mary Jane Johnson, seated in the center and surrounded by her family.

Pixels On Paper Portrait Photography Wilkesboro, Boone, Blowing Rock, family portrait photographers photo

Recently, we photographed Kristen Andrew’s newborn son Jaxon with his big brother Luke. They were delicious. New brothers. New besties. Then Kristen contacted me with news that her Mom Mary Jane’s cancer had changed. Despite the early radiation treatment in the Spring of this year, Mary Jane was going to need chemotherapy in less than a week.

Their family had literally just grown by two with Jaxon’s birth in July and Kristen’s sister Lindsay’s son arriving soon after. Mary Jane’s chemo would begin on the 28th and I got the call on Thursday the week before giving me the update. We all know that chemo and hair loss are wedded, but I promised Kristen that I’d find a way to get the entire family photographed on the Monday before chemo began.

Pixels On Paper Portrait Photography Wilkesboro, Boone, Blowing Rock, family portrait photographers photo

“Families are the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.” Brad Henry
Pixels On Paper Portrait Photography Wilkesboro, Boone, Blowing Rock, family portrait photographers photo

Monday arrived and it was pouring rain. Our plans for an outdoor session fell through, but with no time to spare I arranged the indoor studio with a backdrop that would suit what I knew about this fun-loving, country-inspired family of 10 and we made Mary Jane’s wish for family photos come true. She couldn’t have been more in her element surrounded by her husband Steve, daughters Kristen and Lindsey, and their husbands and their sons.

Chemo has been brutal and Mary Jane has already spent days in the hospital recovering from her first cycle of treatment. When the family returned to the studio last week to view all the photos, they were thrilled to have captured these memories. I hope that these images give Mary Jane a renewed energy and strength before she goes into treatment #2. Nothing will make you fight harder than love and she loves her family first.

Pixels On Paper Portrait Photography Wilkesboro, Boone, Blowing Rock, family portrait photographers photoPixels On Paper Portrait Photography Wilkesboro, Boone, Blowing Rock, family portrait photographers photo“The family – that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape, nor, in our inmost hearts, ever quite wish to.” – Dodie Smith

The Johnsons are strong in their faith and prayer is going to be a big part of them holding together as they move forward. As we love them and pray for them, we hope that ALL of our clients know how completely loved they are. Chemo is tough. It throws everything and the kitchen sink at cancer. We throw everything we’ve got toward making our clients happy. If Ryan and I can be there for you and help you create a memory of a moment, we’ll do it.

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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outdoor mountain family portraits

The Polands have 4 kids, fourteen grandkids, 2 dogs, a donkey and 2 horses. LARGE. They are spread out all over the country so capturing these photos was a one day thing and everyone in the family, pets and all, were there.Poland Outdoor Family Portrait Photography photoWe met James and Judy one night while dining outside at The New Public House in Blowing Rock and liked them immediately. We spent hours on the porch that evening sharing stories, drinking wine and enjoying each other’s company. They told us about their large family made up of their kids and grandkids and their farm just outside of Boone. The various members of the clan rarely see each other. One son is in the military and often deployed. Another son lives in Florida. The family is made up of several blended families and the only time in years that they would all be together in the same place and at the same time was a single day in between the holidays. Judy really wanted a family portrait. Who could blame her? One woman, her husband and in a mere few decades…… a cast of thousands!
Poland Outdoor Family Portrait Photography photoIn only a couple of weeks, Judy called us and gave us the ONE DAY and we were off. We love this shot of Judy and James surrounded by their fourteen grand “babies.” We found a perfect spot on their farm and all of the colorful clothes the kids wore made it work. 9 girls and 5 boys…… LORDY!! And they were so cute and funny with loads of energy.
Poland Outdoor Family Portrait PhotographyPoland Outdoor Family Portrait Photography photoWe 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 babies and kids, 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.