Posts Tagged: Charlotte family portraits
The Parker Family’s Day in the Orchard
Recently, we blogged about a newly engaged couple – Courtney and Cody. They were engaged in this very orchard and on the very same day that we shot photos of the now bride-to-be’s family. The Parkers were all part of the “engagement plan” that allowed Cody to get down on one knee while Courtney was distracted.
This family not only cheered when she said yes, they wanted us to get photos of them as well. It was a gorgeous day, the right occasion and the perfect setting. I love it when a plan comes together!
The Parkers already planned to have us photograph their family portraits in the Tevepaugh peach orchard, and Courtney believed that was why they were all present. After Cody popped the question and got a YES, we were also able to celebrate and get the groom-to-be and family portraits as well. Mom Kim especially wanted to carpe diem because all of the lives of her kids are going in different directions. [Aside: You guys know how this story goes… and it’s why family portraits – from first birthdays to reunions decades later – matter so much.] With Courtney’s engagement, they are gaining another son in Cody; they have a son who is away at college, and the youngest daughter just turned 16 and is now driving and will be the next out of the house. What better time to capture everyone together!
We will have the pleasure of being Courtney and Cody’s wedding photographers in the fall when they tie the knot and we’re already so excited. Between the planning and anticipation, we’re encouraging these two to take time to enjoy all the elements of this chapter of their lives. Courtney is going to be a beautiful bride and these photos below are the proof. 
Mom is happy to have recent portraits of her other two kids as well and we were happy to oblige. It doesn’t hurt that this is a very photogenic 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 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.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License
All photos are ©2018 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.
a day among the blooms ~ mckenzie goff and stacie shumate ~ spring photos and milestones
Stacie under the blossoms
Last April, we got to venture into the fruit orchards near Brushy Mountains with two subjects: McKenzie Goff and Stacie Shumate (with their loving moms in tow). It was hard to decide what was more beautiful: the girls or the venue. Petals were bright and showing off, some ready to fall, but the trees were perfectly lovely and camera-ready.
And so were the girls.
At Pixels on Paper, we love outdoor settings, and when a place like this one is so replete, you seize the moment.
McKenzie was turning 13 – (Welcome to your teens!!) – and after chatting with her mom, we knew that this girlie-girl would blossom (sorry for the pun, but there it is) in this field of natural pink perfection. And of course, she did. McKenzie was not shy in front of the camera and between her smile and the setting, it was magic …. the petals in her hair, the sunset behind her, and the gaze that captured her just at that moment, but seeming to be well beyond her years.
McKenzie – young woman
McKenzie with blossoms in her hair
McKenzie Goff with a sunset
Our other amazing subject that April day was 10 year old Stacie Shumate. She is that balance of American girl – toggling between sports and “dress-up.” Her mother, like many of our clients, understands the importance of documenting milestones and moments, time and place.
The highlight was capturing a pic of her from above (it’s at the top of this post). I’d already envisioned a photo of Stacie lying on her back under the blossoms, with me in a tree photographing down through the limbs. Easy enough, right? I ended up on a ladder hanging between branches with the sun directly above. The brightness of the sun was a bit much for her. Smile: eyes closed. Eyes open: squinting. We tried several times and then her mom began cracking jokes and both Stacie and I started laughing. I laughed so hard that petals began to fall over her and that’s how we got our favorite shot of her.
As always, we loved being a part of the day, the laughter and the memories.
Stacie in repose
Stacie’s green eyes
Pink and white blooms come out the first week or two of April and only last about 5 days. Times and dates are limited, but we want to fit you in. Reservations need to be made in advance, so call to make an appointment. Sessions start at $125.
the extravagantly beautiful orchard in bloom