“The soil is the great connector of lives, the source and destination of all. It is the healer and restorer and resurrector, by which disease passes into health, age into youth, death into life. Without proper care for it we can have no community, because without proper care for it we can have no life.” – Wendell Berry
We don’t know about you, but we look at this picture above and do not think: “Oh, sure! They’re farmers!” This picture says, “welcome to our world, sweet thing.” They might also say, “You’re going to be outside quite a bit as a kiddo, and there will be tons to learn and many places to explore, but we love you and promise to show you the way. You have no idea what grace you’re about to inherit.”
Megan and Luke Mathis however are, wait for it, farmers, and they are the real deal. But what did we expect? That couple from Grant Woods’ famous painting American Gothic?? Remember those two – you know the old, dour pair with the pitchfork and sense of despair and exhaustion? On the contrary, Megan and Luke are the full time farmers that the 21st needs and depends upon and we have no doubt that their little boy Carson will continue to nurture the land, care for what surrounds him, contribute to the family business and bless everyone he meets. We adore these 3 and want to be a part of documenting every single moment they want us to grab.
We were also honored to create a new wall for the Mathis’ of pictures from this shoot. We hope they consider it a tribute to their generation and the next and the next – “acre upon acre,” family after family.
We envy you, Carson. That’s really the bottom line. The adventures you’re going to have on that land are untold, but your story is waiting for you to write; and you will add a line or verse every time your feet go running through the woods. Get your sleep now, boy. It’s all out there.
Following is a video we put together from our shoot with the Mathis family and we love creating these as part of family photography packages or as special requests. We find that people are anxious to share the shoot in one file that can be passed to family and friends.
Have a look at the video and maternity photos of Megan and Luke, pre-Carson, on their gorgeous land.
Before Isaiah (3 months old in these pics) launches his financial planning consortium, he wants to get accustomed to the garb. The kid digs a tie – just look at his face.
Isaiah to the room: “does this color work with my diaper?”
We took Ashley and Kevin’s wedding photos in 2011 and then they asked us to take pictures of their newborn. Like some of our clients, the parents want us to focus on their kids (literally) and leave Mom and Dad on the sidelines. We encouraged the Ellis’ to be a part of this shoot and they complied. We’re so happy they did.
Between the smiles, nuzzling, Isaiah’s expressive eyebrows and the way he pulled faces in front of his glowing parents, it became a memorable shoot for all of us. We LOVE this family and look forward to being a documenting element for them for many years to come. Isaiah is a study in facial expressions, by the way…
Isaiah is now 6 months old and his secretary will begin taking calls at his new offices this September. We’re encouraging him to find some pants in the meantime.
Below, see an engagement and wedding day photo featuring Ashley and Kevin. They met, fell in love and have now – multiplied!
Left: Engagement Photo June 2011. Right: Wedding Photo September 2011
Life doesn’t always goes as planned. Even the most well-layed plans have a way of going astray. That seems to especially be the case when it comes to weddings. Occasionally we have the opportunity to be a part of a wedding that has not been in the works for years, but only a few months or weeks. There are no elaborate plans, timelines, checklists, or 100s involved. There are only two people deeply in love and family or friends there to support that the only thing which matters is the commitment they are making to God and to each other. This was the case with Sierra and Casey’s wedding. Simple, rustic, country are all words that would describe the day as well as the Bride and Groom.
Simple has a way of being incredibly personal, romantic and beautiful. Being able to witness and photograph moments like these are a blessing. A wedding such as this is a day that is not tainted by countless Pinterest boards and must-have reenactments but rather opportunities for us to create photographs that are completely unique and personalized. The idyllic forrest, out-of-the-way setting in the NC Mountains at Rendezvous Mountain State Park in Purlear perfectly lent itself to this couple and their personality.
Casey & Sierra, thank you for trusting us to photograph the memories of your wedding day and tell your story through photos. We wish you a life together full of countless blessings. For the rest of you, enjoy a little peek into their wedding day.
We were even given the time and opportunity to have fun at the local Fire Department, Broadway in North Wilkesboro NC, where Casey is a volunteer fireman where we created some uniquely personal creative photos.
Special thanks to the vendors we worked along side: Ceremony Florist: Eden House Floral, Bride’s Attire: Bridal Traditions Wedding & Prom Attire, Ceremony & Reception Venue: Rendezvous Mountain State Park.
To view and learn more about Pixels On Paper wedding photography and portrait photography visit our website www.pixelsonpaper.biz. Visit or call our Wilkesboro photo studio and outdoor portrait garden.
Weddings in the NC mountains are always a favorite for us, especially when the ceremony is held outdoor at Leatherwood Mountains located in Ferguson NC near Boone in the NC High Country. The backdrops that the mountains offer are second to none with endless possibilities around Leatherwood resort.
Long before Sarah and Jeremy’s wedding day, we had the opportunity to photograph Sarah’s bridal photography. We have been wanting to do a “peach blossom shoot” for a long time, and when the timing was right, we were lucky enough for great weather. We photographed among the peach and apple blossoms in orchards in Brushy Mountain, NC. Sarah’s dance background allowed us to push her posing a little farther than we normally get to do, and the results were simply stunning! We got creative by incorporating Sarah’s life as a dancer and love for horses as you can see in her bride photos shown below.
Sarah and Jeremy chose the perfect wedding day. With a nice breeze blowing through the NC Mountains and fair temperatures, they said their “I do’s” at the main Leatherwood cabin in front of their families and closest friends. When you are surrounded by horse stables and have a love for horses, what better way to arrive at the ceremony site than in a horse-drawn carriage. Sarah stepped out of the carriage and walked to a waiting Jeremy at the end of the aisle where they exchanged vows that they wrote for each other. After they lit the unity candle and exchanged rings, they were announced as husband and wife and had their first kiss as a married couple.
Following the post ceremony photos with Sarah and Jeremy off in the meadow and in the stables, all of the guests were treated to a wonderful reception in the covered riding ring surrounded by details of hand made decor and plenty of personal touches. A BBQ dinner was catered by Tipton’s of Wilkesboro NC while Ball and Ball DJ entertained the guests.
After a long afternoon of celebration, it was finally time to let the newlyweds head off to their honeymoon, but not before one last dance. While guests headed out of the riding ring to line up for the bubble send-off, Sarah and Jeremy got the chance to have the place to themselves for one final wedding dance.
Be sure to check out Sarah and Jeremy’s engagement portraits here if you have not seen them.
We are grateful to have been Sarah & Jeremy’s chosen wedding photographers and we wish them a life full of romance.
Photography: Pixels On Paper
Location: Leatherwood Mountains Resort
Bride’s Gown & Veil and Bridal Party Attire: Bridal Traditions Wedding and Prom Attire
Entertainment: Ball & Ball
Caterer: Tipton’s
Videographer: Divine Treasures
Vendor Resource: Wilkes Bridal Association
Want to learn more about our wedding photography packages or portrait photography in Boone, Blowing Rock, Wilkesboro NC and the NC High Country or for NC Mountain destination wedding photography? Call 336-990-0080, visit our website www.pixelsonpaper.biz or send us and email at mail@pixelsonpaper.biz for more information.
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All photos are ©2013 Pixels On Paper. Pixels On Paper Photography Wilkesboro NC Wedding, Boone NC Wedding Photographer, NC Mountain Weddings, NC Mountain Destination Wedding Photography, Ferguson NC Wedding, Wilkes NC Wedding, Blowing Rock, NC Mountain Wedding Photographer, Boone Wedding and Portrait Photographers, Boone Wedding Photography, Boone Wedding Photographers, High Country Wedding Photographers, NC Wedding Photographers. Husband and wife team providing creative photography for weddings and portraits in NC, specializing in the NC High Country, Charlotte, Destination Weddings and in the NC Mountains.