Its encouraging to know that in a time where the statistics on marriages seems to be so negative, that there can be examples of how it really can work and be a life long journey. We were blessed this summer to not only capture one 50th wedding anniversary, but to be able to photograph two!
It has always been fun to see how much love a newlywed couple can have for each other on the day of the wedding, but when you get to see that same emotion 50 years later, it touches your heart in a whole new way.
Brenda and Jerry Waddell were the first of our silver anniversary family portraits this summer in Wilkesboro, NC. As a gift to them their family organized and paid for family portraits. They not only wanted portraits with each other, but also took the opportunity to have outdoor family portraits with their children, grand-children, and the latest addition to the growing family, their great-grand daughter. It is simply amazing to see what hard work (because marriage takes lots of hard work), praying for each other and a great sense of love at all times will get you. This family has been such a blessing to us in more than one way and we are honored to be a part of their lives.
Our second anniversary outdoor family photos was for Wilhelmina and Harold Wood who celebrated 50 years of marriage in June. We were delighted to go to their historic farm house in the NC Mountains and spend time with them while they told stories of how they made their marriage work. The house made for a wonderful significant backdrop and provided the opportunity for them to relive fond memories with us of raising their daughters, working on the farm, and taking care of each other. Misty and the Wood’s youngest daughter Melinda were friends all through elementary and high school so this couple were especially precious.
The opportunity to celebrate marriage in all that we do certainly does not stop after the wedding day when the wedding photography is over. As photographers we love being a fixture in the lives of all of our clients and are truly honored when we can be the photographer that captures memories years after they say I do. We look forward to the day when we can photograph life’s moments both big and small for all of them, including celebrating momentous anniversaries.
Learn more about our portrait photography packages and outdoor family portraits in Charlotte, Boone, Blowing Rock, Wilkesboro NC and the NC High Country 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, Family Portraits, Blowing Rock Photography, Family Portraits, Outdoor Family Portraits, Studio family Portraits, Outdoor Family Photos, Family Photography, Wilkesboro Photography, Family Photographer, Wilkesboro Photographer, Portrait Photography, Portrait Studio. Husband and wife team providing creative photography for weddings and portraits in NC, specializing in the NC High Country, Charlotte, and in the NC Mountains.
Pixels On Paper had the honor of photographing the entire Ostendarp family, three generations and four families within the family, in Charlotte, NC six years ago. From the moment we captured a particular image of the grandkids walking and running across the bridge at Freedom Park and circling around our lens, we knew that one day we would HAVE to recreate these moments. Well, recently we had the chance to do just that.
Lois Ostendarp and her husband Ken have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. When Lois asked us to capture the extended family in August 2006, we were thrilled and dove in head first. When they saw the photos, everyone commented on how neat it would be to photograph the youngest generation again years later to see how all of the grandkids had changed.
Six years later, what Lois did not know was that her children had not forgotten that wish either, and when it was time to celebrate a milestone birthday for Lois, her daughter-in-law Courtney reached out on the family’s behalf and put into motion the surprise gift of a lifetime that involved Pixels On Paper family photography. It took a few tries to get the schedules coordinated between all of the 7 grandkids’ sports, camps and other activities, but we nailed down the time and everything was set.
Ostendarp grandchildren August 2006
Ostendarp Grandchildren June 2012
What came out of the family portrait session was nothing short of amazing. We brought the original images and recreated 3 different photographs. When we compared the pictures, it was crazy to see just how much each grandchild had grown and changed. The youngest generation still remembered that moment from six years ago, the fun they had and the memories that were captured with their cousins. Even now while some have become teenagers they were just as eager to capture another moment that would bring pure joy to their Grandmother.
Ostendarp grandchildren August 2006
Ostendarp Grandchildren June 2012
The family was able to present Lois with the new photos at her birthday celebration. We would have loved to have been there to see the look on her face, but prior engagements kept us away. What was incredible was the message we received from Lois a few days after:
“Misty & Ryan ~
Just wanted to drop you a note to say a great big thank you for being so flexible in helping the kids to put together a 5-6 year later retake of that wonderful photo coming across the bridge at Freedom Park. Misty, you always said you wanted to take that shot again in 5 years! What a wonderful surprise, and it was probably the best birthday gift I have ever received. AND they are resolved to do it one more time when the kids will range from 16-21 years old. Yikes! Anyway, it is beautiful and so is the second photo take ‘from the ground up’ of all of them. What a treat and what a thrill for me.”
Ostendarp grandchildren August 2006
Ostendarp Grandchildren June 2012
Ostendarp Family Portrait August 2006
We look forward to the day when the phone rings again asking us to take the next round of photos. It will be an honor for us to keep the tradition going!
If you would like family portraits, we are booking sessions all the time, just send us a message through the contact form or call 704.641.1131.
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Photographing high school seniors is so much fun especially when they are excited to have a portrait session that is unlike anything they’ve ever experienced and so different from those their classmates are having made. Pixels On Paper is focused on creating a fun and unique photography experience for all of our Senior Sessions. We are bringing an original style and quality to Senior photos that Wilkes and some of the surrounding NC Mountain areas have never experienced or had access to in the past. Why should all these awesome and energetic young people settle for just another boring senior photo shot by a high school appointed photog in front of a dull backdrop? We don’t think they should which is why we’re offering an alternative. If you are or you have a rising High School Senior call us now to schedule a Senior Portrait Session. The ideal session time for the Class of 2013 begins in June. We are looking for reps from each of the surrounding high schools that are enthusiastic about sharing their experience with their classmates.
Brianna contacted us a short time ago eager to schedule her senior session even though she was only a few weeks from graduating. She wanted Senior Pics that would stand out from everyone else and since we had photographed her in January as one of our 2012 Prom Models she knew exactly what kind of photos we would deliver. Not only did she want unique portraits, she wanted us to use those photos to create a graduation announcement that she would be mailing to family and friends, an alternative to those offered by the High School.
For Brianna we designed a 5×7 Graduation Announcement Card. Here is a look at the front of the card.
And a look at the back of the Graduation Announcement card.
It’s hard to believe that Brianna is only a High School Senior when you see her. This girl is gorgeous in and out and aspires to be model and fashion designer. She is artistic, creative, beautiful, humble and a little shy when she is the center of attention. She is the class of 2012 and represents North Wilkes High School. We wish her all the best in everything she does.
Leave Brianna and us some LOVE on our blog. Our blog loves comments!
Visit www.pixelsonpaper.biz to view more Senior Pics and contact us to schedule a portrait session.
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The Bennett family holds a special place in our hearts for many reasons. We got to know them through our work with the Charlotte Checkers Hockey Team and have considered them part of the family ever since. We were thrilled when they wanted us to capture their memories during a family photography session and we recently made it happen!
The Bennett’s story is beyond remarkable. They moved to North Carolina from New York last year following their favorite hockey team which also moved from Albany to Charlotte. This might seem a bit extreme for even the most serious of sports fans but to truly understand it, you must witness it. Danielle and Zach Bennett (or “Bug” as the hockey players call him) have neurofibromatosis. Zach and the entire family simply love the team that helped them through some tough times including 20+ surgeries, extended hospital stays, and the simple struggles that come with every day life. When the team, the integral encouragement system, moved South the Bennet family knew they had to as well. A bonus was that the medical care in Charlotte, NC is better and closer than where they were living.
Take a few moments to watch this awesome video featuring the Bennett family as captured last year by ESPN 360. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L78sf_-Kc_s
Being a part of the Charlotte Checkers family of staff never meant more to us than it did during the moments that we were able to know and love the entire Bennett family. The strength that is displayed by the family is part of what makes us love them so much. Through everything that they have experienced, they manage to pull through it together. They are an inspiration in that through out life you have a choice to take the bad and either let it get you down, or face it head on and tackle it, or better yet to “check it” into the boards and come out a winner!
The Bennett’s are running full steam ahead into a new set of challenges. On January 31st Mom Danielle will be having amputation surgery. Danielle says that her strength comes from Zach. But knowing and loving Danielle the way we do we would say they all four gain strength from each other. What goes around definitely comes around and in this case their strength is contagious.
The day of our family photography session was a cool winter day, but not cold enough to put the shoot off. In fact, Danielle had to get in a jab or two about it not being cold at 45 degrees in January. And that southerns didn’t know what true cold was until they had endured NY winters. We photographed a great family and had a ton of fun with them. Despite the pain and difficulty moving they were determined to have a photograph of all four family members standing together without the wheel chairs. It was a powerful moment. And a moment that was more of a blessing to our lives than they will ever comprehend. It was a justification that God gave us these skills and gifts for a purpose and that we are right where we are supposed to be, doing exactly what God wants us to be doing.
Thanks Randy and Danielle for allowing us to photograph these memories, we are truly inspired by you and your family and love you guys so much! We are happy to call you friend.
Jenna has a special place in Misty’s heart, and as we were packing up, Misty saw a shot that she had to capture. She pulled Jenna aside and photographed some stunning shots that we will treasure as much as the Bennetts will.
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It is very exciting for use when we have photographed a couples wedding and they return for all their future creative portrait photography needs. Just like these two! Kristen and Dustin are still technically newlyweds with less than a year of marriage behind them. They love photos and are determined to begin the tradition of annual family portrait pictures. Like I’ve been saying for years to other couples, you don’t have to have kids to have portrait pictures! Kristen and Dustin’s family currently consists of the two of them and one super cute fur-baby named Tiger.
Enjoy the pictures of this super cute and sweet couple!
Take a peek back at Kristen and Dustin’s wedding photos here. And see more of our creative portrait photography on our website.
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