Posts Tagged: bridal photos
bridal portraits ~ a day just for her
There are more than a few inspirational quotes about girls. Girls and cars. Girls about to become brides. Girls and their dreams. Girls being domestic. Girls being daring, etc. So we’d like to pause here and let you conjure your favorite lines or even images…
Done? Ok. So meet this glorious girl, Jamie Goforth, now Jamie Harrison. Her wedding was October of this year, [you’ll have to stand by for the photos of the day], but THIS DAY in August was just about her. We photographed Jamie at the home of a family member in Wilkes county and her mom, grandma, great-aunt and great-uncle all came with her to enjoy the experience and watch her.
The views were spectacular as they tend to be in late summer in the western part of NC, and Jamie looked so fresh and happy. Honestly, this day seemed to increase her excitement about her wedding day. Every bride deserves a day as BRIDE that isn’t her wedding day, don’t you think? The wedding day blur is exhilarating yet inevitable, so we love being able to spend time with brides (and their family members and pals) before the actual nuptials.
I mentioned the views, but the entire home was perfect for showcasing a girl just about to start a new chapter. In particular, the pair above where she appears to be the queen of the estate, but still so young and fresh and contemplative.
Jamie’s family loves antique cars and they have a large collection, so including one in the portrait session was an easy and fun choice. She had a huge assortment to choose from, too. While classic cars are as different as individual girls, her groom is a big fan of the convertible red classic Thunderbird. Photographing her elegantly draped over it was too fun and it is a shot that any car guy can love and appreciate.
We look forward to showing off their wedding pics soon, but in the meantime, we encourage those who are planning proposals this season and want to capture it, those who are engaged and need portraits of you and your fiancé(e), brides-to-be or couples planning a spring or summer wedding, contact us. We’d love to help make your day perfect by ensuring you get the best portraits. Visit Pixels online or call us 336.990.0080.
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.
a bridal portrait session in the greens of mother nature
Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous
to be understood.
How grass can be nourishing in the
mouths of the lambs.
How rivers and stones are forever
in allegiance with gravity
while we ourselves dream of rising.
How two hands touch and the bonds will
never be broken….*
Bride-to-be, Kendall Shephard, reminds of us a swan a little bit. Dressed in white, gorgeous but not overdone, long, lean, elegant. She stands out, but just so, in all that green. Her fiancé, now husband Nathan Williams, works for the North Carolina Wildlife Commission and the couple spend an enviably high percentage of their time outdoors hiking, playing and exploring. We chose the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, NC for her bridal portrait session and it made perfect sense. She was happy and completely in her element, even in a wedding gown.
Kendall shined, surrounded by shades of summer green, rippling water, moss, stone, rocks and branches. She was this perfect column of light. A classic beauty in the middle of natural beauty.
These portraits were taken in June of this year and the couple were married in August. She was just as, if not more, beautiful on that day with Nathan by her side and surrounded by her nearest and dearest, so stay tuned for the blog about the Shepherd-Williams wedding. But this day was Kendall’s and she could not have been more clear and pure and alive wandering in the woods and musing with us about her upcoming wedding.
*Let me keep my distance, always, from those
who think they have the answers.
Let me keep company always with those who say
“Look!” and laugh in astonishment,
and bow their heads.
– Mary Oliver, nature poet
engagement photos + guitar + travel and a return to home land
A Play of 50 First Dates….
The Setting: The Glendale Springs Inn in Glendale Springs, NC
The Players: Micala Bare and Tyler Rash
The Scene: a wedding proposal from Tyler, playing a song for Micala and then asking for her hand.
Tyler and Micala were having dinner at the Glendale Springs Inn with Micala’s entire family and Tyler pre-arranged for a separate room where he could pull her girl away and then sing to her – and propose. You’ll be shocked – SHOCKED – to hear that she said Yes. Of course, she did. This pair is crazy cute and completely in love and they knew from their first date.
But that was not Act 1. [harp music here]
Their first date was “an unsuccessful fishing trip” after a mini-introduction on Snapchat. It ended with them looking at views on the Blue Ridge Parkway and with Tyler playing his guitar for her. Micala told her mom after that first date, “I can’t think of a reason why we wouldn’t get married!” Pretty intense and pretty sure of “it.” After that, they were together constantly.
Act 2: They headed out west to Oregon to travel and get to know each other better. There’s something about traveling with no strings, no extra friends and no worries that can reveal a person to the other. This was true for Micala and Tyler.
Act 3: They were done looking and wondering. Tyler “put a ring on it” and they set a date for fall of 2015. We asked them, “if you two were a movie, you’d be….?” Their response – 50 First Dates. This makes perfect sense, at least to us and to them. Fall in love on the first date and then hit replay again and again.
Tyler works in radio and so they find themselves at concerts and it’s one of their favorite spots to be together – listening to music, cracking up and growing closer. 
Micala and Tyler hope to have a traditional ceremony, move back to Tyler’s land in Ashe County and start a family.
“We would like our families to know that we are extremely grateful for all the love and support that they have shown throughout this entire process, and special thanks for sticking by us as we upped the wedding date TWICE.”
See other engagement blogs at pixelsonpaperblog.com. Whether you’re in cowboy boots in a field or on a greenway in downtown Charlotte, we’d love to grab the shots that begin your journey together.
the McAdoo family album ~ part deux
Meet The Smalls, a.k.a the McAdoo kids – Emma (left) and Sophia. These two are siblings who would have never been sisters if their parents had not fallen in love via eHarmony. (This photo is from March of 2014!)
We had the honor of documenting Rachel and Jeremy’s wedding in November of 2012. Theirs is a wonderful love story and was featured along with our photos in Carolina Bride magazine. We’ve known the McAdoo’s for years. Rachel is a wedding planner and when she chose us to photograph their day – the ceremony at Holiday Inn in Center City Charlotte and reception at Byron’s Southend (so cool – great venue) – it meant the world to us.
You can see how Sophia has grown! And now she’s a big sister who loves the little lamb who showed up to grace all of their lives. We love this family so much and look forward to capturing more moments in their journey as the girls turn into little ladies. We know kids, well ALL OF US, change every day, but any excuse to see all 4 of their faces and hear the latest and greatest from the world of McAdoo would be fun.
Pixels on Paper photographs weddings, maternity shots, new borns, kids, family portraits, head shots and anything personal and creative. We have both indoor and outdoor studios, but also travel to favorite locations we know and love discovering new ones with clients. We’d love to hear from you!