Posts Tagged: covid-19
Spring Outdoor Portraits
Yes, it’s January and yes, it’s a little brisk out, but as night follows day, spring follows winter, so let’s get ready for outdoor photo sessions.
Families have told me more times than I can count that they wish they had made time to gather everyone in one spot for portraits, if not each year then every couple of years. Time passes quickly.
Milestones are important but “just because” photo sessions with a photographer, one who knows how to pose, use light and equipment appropriately and can retouch and package your images is ALWAYS a good idea. I live to make the wishes of moms and grandmas come true. They know that photos today become heirlooms tomorrow.
Parks, mountain trails, private home backyards and porches, and certainly the Pixels outdoor portrait garden – all make great locations for family portraits.
We are ready when you are and can help plan the place, date and time. If you begin letting your family factions know that it’s time for a group photo session, they will be ready when the temperatures are premium.
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 ©2021 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.
Newborn Annabelle
In my many years of photographing newborns with their brothers and sisters, I don’t think that I’ve ever seen a sibling so great in this context. These two little snugglers below are Penelope and her new sister Annabelle. Parents Whitney and Preston are long time clients of ours (and yes, have become our friends) and we loved welcoming them to our place for Annabelle’s first portrait session.
Penelope was so teeny when she arrived that we could fold her easily into her father Preston’s law enforcement hat! The same was not true of new Annabelle, who is so squishy and squeezable. She’s just a big bundle, it’s no wonder her big sister loved getting to pose with and cradle her.
We love watching these families grow, especially when we’ve seen the very beginnings. For us the beginning was 2015, when we photographed Whitney and Preston’s engagement session. We also were their wedding photographers, and captured little Penelope’s newborn portraits in 2017. We feel like this family’s Milestone Documentarians and love it. It’s an honor that Ryan and I do not take for granted.
Above Left: Newborn Penelope 2017. Above Right: Newborn Annabelle 2020
Hosting this wonderful family we love and respect so much at our place to grab outdoor family portraits and studio newborn photos was an absolute pleasure, and we cannot wait to watch these girls grow up (not too quickly) in the shadow of their loving mom and dad and the village that supports them. Welcome to the world, Annabelle.
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 ©2020 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.
Thanksgiving Message from Pixels
Maya Angelou said, “Be present in all things, and grateful for all things.” I’m not always able to square that circle. How can you be grateful when it’s entirely possible to wake up every morning to bad news, worrisome statistics, and personal fear of the unknown future?
I had a friend share a quote from a monk with me the other day. It went something like, “see your anxiety and fear and sit with them, welcome them and smile at them.” Being present with anxiety? CHECK. Smile at it? Hmmmm. I think the monk meant that our goal is to familiarize ourselves with the concept that we have very little control in this life and we must do our best to adjust our outlook.
This year does not need another commentator, so I’ll skip the phrases we’ve all heard about 2020 since March. Endless complaints, like platitudes, don’t help, so let me just say this:
I am present when I am with my son at the breakfast table each morning. We’re just here, eating and jabbering, and plotting what the day may bring. Recently, watching him do something as simple as stuff acorns into his overalls was a moment I soaked up.
I’m present when I’m in prayer, reading scripture or from my daily devotions. Yes, my mind wanders, but with focus and discipline, I find the message meant for me, or at least I try.
I’m present when I chat with my family. There are still decisions that need to be made, stories to tell and retell, and – when possible – memories to make. I’m present when Ryan and I have time after Finley goes to bed. Sometimes it’s a struggle, but we need that connection for sure.
All of these – and more – make me grateful. It as if being present is the parent of gratitude. Slow down and tune in and you’ll see reasons to give thanks.
Ryan and I know that this year is like no other many of us have seen in our lifetimes, but it’s important to count our blessings. We are certainly grateful for each of you. You fill us up creatively and with your friendship, laughter, encouragement, prayers and collaboration. Thank you for that. We hope that we always give it back to your in spades.
Happy Thanksgiving. Whatever that looks like for you and your family, I hope you feel both present for the little moments and grateful for what you have.
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 newborns and families, 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 LicenseAll photos are ©2020 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.
Bride Jackie showered with love
The beautiful girl in the pic below is a hyphenate to us.
No she’s not a singer-producer-actress.
She’s a chef-photographer-niece. And she’s FAB.
Jackie was our niece first, of course, and we’ve loved her forever. During her college days, she acted as our assistant for extra large weddings when we needed another pair of great eyes, swift feet and brilliant can-do attitude. Now, this girl-lady-woman is a talented chef in Savannah, Georgia … a town that knows its food.
Just last month, I photographed her small bridal shower in Asheville. We’re all still hip-deep in Covid World, but this event mattered so much to us. The couple expertly created a delicious spread for the party, in-part because food and catering sources are limited/strained, and because these two are so great at what they do. Cookies and cupcakes were custom created by Love & Butter Baking Co to accompany the small bites, luscious sliders, chicken and waffles and more.
Hosted by Jackie’s sister Krystin and a dear friend, the theme was bohemian in both atmosphere and goodie bags. Family members and friends gathered from VA, FL, NC, GA, and while others joined through Facetime from CA and South Africa to shower the bride with love and gifts.
The pair planned to be married in September, but since the country isn’t quite ready to reopen just yet, they have rescheduled their ceremony to May of 2021 and Pixels is definitely looking forward to photographing the occasion at Crest Center & Pavilion in Asheville.
In the meantime, we love you, Jackie. Stay safe and know how loved you are!
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 newborns and families, 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 LicenseAll photos are ©2020 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.
We’re Still Celebrating…
… even during scary times. There are still birthdays and graduations and friendships in need of highlighting. We need to celebrate even in the era of a global pandemic. We value our health and we value our customers, so when we were able to safely photograph this momentous occasion, we grabbed the opportunity.
Big R Orchards, a popular wedding and event venue in Moravian Falls, NC was the spot and everyone who came that day had such great energy. This happens when you get people who love each other together and when folks have been pinned up for months.
Most proms were cancelled this year, but dresses were purchased and friends wanted to get dressed up and made up and see one another.
I mean, seriously, are those above not the most dapper and darling individuals you’ve seen lately? They can still look back on this crazy year and have a glamorous memento or two.
We also celebrated birthdays and family time with members all dolled up and happy to be outdoors and with each other.
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 newborns and families, 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 LicenseAll photos are ©2020 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.