Posts Tagged: creative outdoor photography nc
NC Pastoral | A Wilkesboro Engagement
On November 12, 2017, we met them out at Randy’s family farm in North Wilkesboro and heard their story. Michelle had seen Randy over the years at various times while she and he would be outdoors and she wondered, from afar (are you with me?? it’s pretty epic) what he was like and if she’d ever meet him. She hoped they would be introduced someday, but it didn’t happen until a salon hairstylist they have in common decided to play matchmaker. Randy took it from there.
When he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Michelle, he did something outdoorsy and sweet for the proposal: he painted pumpkins with hearts on them, arranged them on hay bails, laid a quilt at a quiet spot near the barn and creek on his family’s farm and, after surprising her, asked her the marry him. For the engagement session we photographed them at the very site of his proposal and then wandered both his and Michelle’s family farms to capture other images that showcase them and their beloved land.
These 2 will be married in October of next year and we so look forward to seeing what details and parts of their personalities will be incorporated into the ceremony and reception.
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.
A Country Club Wedding with Smiles, Dancing & Cigars
We ask our brides and grooms about best and favorite moments, among other things, after their wedding day. Responses range from couple to couple, but with Christine Whitford & Adam Kessell, it was about firsts.
First look at each other during the ceremony.
First kiss after the I Dos.
First moments of greeting and chatting with their guests.
Christine and Adam were married on October 22nd at Firethorne Country Club in Marvin, NC and moment to moment they were present with their friends and family and enjoying each bit.
There were tearful moments for all the girls while they were getting ready. Both of Christine’s grandmothers gave her precious family heirlooms, one of which was a bracelet that her late grandfather had given her grandmother.
Christine’s dad cried when he first saw her before walking her down the aisle.
Christine was a very enthusiastic bride and lots of fun to work with. Because we photographed a previous wedding where she was a bridesmaid, and shot their unconventional but historically significant engagement photos, she already knew our style and how we work. We already had a great relationship with her and Adam, so we knew it was going to be a blast.
Christine’s cathedral length veil was epic. We did have a few “all hands on deck” moments when the wind picked up though.
Firethorne provided an absolutely gorgeous outdoor setting for the wedding. The weather was perfect, there were smiles all around and lots of tender moments, joy and laughter (Christine: “we like to think our friends and family are pretty funny!”).
The reception was a party, as it should be. The DJs from Split Second Sound delivered the goods and kept the dance floor hot and all of Christine and Adam’s friends showed off some serious dance moves. The dancing was Christine’s favorite part of the reception she told us and Adam’s was the cigar bar. Ryan enjoyed spending time photographing at the cigar bar as well. There was just FUN in every direction.
Christine: “When we talk about our wedding day, we talk about how great it was to see everyone and just dance and have a good time. It was so nice to see our families blend so well together. It made my heart smile.”
Christine and Adam not only had a beautiful ceremony and killer reception, they are class acts. In lieu of favors, the couple made a donation in everyone’s honor to the animal shelter where they had recently rescued their own pup. Congratulations, you two and nothing but love for you both on the journey ahead!
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.
best friends | sydney & cherokee’s beach portraits
Friendship, like romantic love, has been celebrated in song lyrics, novels, movies and theatre. It’s been featured in paintings, operas, television shows, you name it. You can buy mugs, cards, plaques and t-shirts that speak to the importance of strong, lasting friendship. We even name our pets and offspring after dear friends. And most of us believe that the person we marry is usually our best friend, or ends up in that role.
I had the pleasure of co-hosting a beach trip with my mom when we took my “baby cousin” Sydney Wooten Chambers and her lifelong best girlfriend Cherokee Church to Crescent Beach in North Myrtle during fall break in October. I promised portraits of them months in advance and it gave them something to look forward to besides being on break at the beach.
Sydney is indeed my cousin, even though I have 20 years on her. She looks like a child of the 60s – free, happy, always showcasing a guileless smile and sweet face, with her long Joni Mitchell hair – and she feels more like a niece than a cousin. Cherokee has the same long hair, but her’s is a killer shade of red. These two have been hitched at the hip and soul sisters through thick and thin their entire lives. In fact, they’ve probably been friends since they could walk. To wit: Sydney had cancer when she was only four years old and Cherokee lost her mother to cancer when she was seven. The two can now look back with empathy and forward with hope – together. They have ridden the waves and at times been wiped out, but they’ve always gotten back on the board to chase the next tide, always by each others side.
The night before we left to return home, around sunset, we all went out and I took shots of them separately and together. These images are something they’ll have to remember their friendship, the trip, their history together and the strength of their bond. Seeing the love between these young women reminded me and my mom of our lifelong friends (my mom happens to be one of my best friends, in fact) and how, regardless of the chapter in your life, regardless of age, turmoil, victories, health, whatever, your best friends hold you close. They lift you up, they ground you, and they remind you that you matter. 
As we approach the holidays, if you have a friend or group of friends you’d like photographed in Christmas garb or if you want portraits taken “just because” – please contact us! We’d love to capture your nearest and dearest with you and create a new and lasting memory.
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.
Sarah and Daniel | Just Because portraits
This shoot of Daniel and his long-time girlfriend Sarah is one such example.
Daniel was one of our All About Prom models in 2013 and he’s been a Pixels and photo enthusiast since. [WE LOVE YOU TOO, DANIEL!!] So, when he approached us and asked if he had to be engaged to have an “portrait session,” we said of course not! You don’t have to be married, engaged, or even in a relationship to have photographs taken by a professional.
Life is short. If you have a person (or pet) you love, an event, an important time in your life you want captured forever, get a pro involved. We met these two in Elkin, NC just as the seasons were changing from summer to autumn and after we made them comfortable in front of the camera, they fell into their own groove and their personalities really shined through. The image of Sarah above looking at Daniel is an example. There’s a lot going on in that look and smile, I think.
Not only are we photographing Daniel’s sister’s wedding to his best friend in December, but Daniel decided that he and Sarah would like photos taken of them during each of the 4 seasons at places near home and others that they love. We’re looking forward to photographing them again, just because.
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.
The Hills & Valleys are Alive | 4 seasons for photos in the Carolinas
It’s taking ALL I can do not to bring up Vivaldi’s masterpiece, The Four Seasons. And now I’ve done it, so if you like any of the 4 movements, or Vivaldi or classical music, it’s now stuck in your head. You’re welcome.
Meanwhile, our autumn portrait sessions booked up (THANKS EVERYONE) and I’m reminded that we shoot year-round because we can. North and South Carolina provide an embarrassment of riches for portraiture, not just for nature photographers. Mountains, gardens, farms, barns, fields, streams, valleys, the Biltmore Estate, the Blue Ridge Parkway and any number of purpose-built resorts and views surround us. We find ourselves consistently tramping through the woods, climbing rocks, on ATVs and by moving water capturing memories. Here is a small sampling of locations in our distinct seasons. If you need a reminder of the dizzying array of options, enjoy. We’re here and we’re always ready!
Late Summer Wedding in West Jefferson – rustic, by the river and UP ALL NIGHT at the reception
Leatherwood Resort
Winter Wedding at Elkin Creek Vineyard
Sunset on Beech Mountain
Hoben family Summer outdoor portrait in Roaring Gap NC
One of our favorite Spring spots: an extravagantly beautiful orchard in bloom
And the same orchard peopled with the lovely Arnold family
Autumn Blue Ridge Mountain Club Blowing Rock NC outdoor wedding
Rain or shine…… love wins, right? Blowing Rock NC
Gorgeous Quinceanera portraits in a mid-summer field in Wilkesboro
Warm Winter bridal portraits after snowfall in Moravian Falls NC
Wedding at Twickenham House and post reception vista portrait in Jefferson NC
Charleston SC engagement portraits
Botanical garden bridal portraits
Engagement session at The Biltmore Estate in Asheville
From the back “porch” at the Biltmore Estate
A fairy portrait session – expecting mother and big sister wade in
Winter Family Portrait of the Allens at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock NC
Summer engagement photos in the NC Blue Ridge Mountains
Scottish highland wedding – bridal portraits
Delicious Brock at his 1st birthday portrait session in Pixels’ Portrait Garden in Wilkesboro.