Posts Tagged: milestone photography

Fall Portrait Photography Sessions

We’ve made it to Labor Day during a global pandemic. Somehow, someway, here we are. I am grateful and I am ready for fall. We hope you all are taking care of yourselves as kids return to whatever version of school is on deck for them. Now: it’s time to talk about fall portraits of your family, your children and even the holidays.

Hatfield Photography, Family portrait photography by Wilkesboro NC Photographers Pixels On Paper

We are booking outdoor photography sessions for September, October and onward right now, so if you’re eager to get your holiday card done and ready to print and mail, contact us.


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.

15 Years of Pixels On Paper – Pt. 3 – And Here We Are

During the last 15 years, we have gained so much. That is perhaps my greatest understatement to date. From double-booking weddings for most summer weekends, to adding commercial and business photography, incorporating graphic design and branding services, we just kept growing.

Case family photo
photo by: Joy Davis Photography




5 years ago we were asked to be Official Photographers at MerleFest and have been there every year except 2020. We really missed that event and our fellow photogs this year, but know we’ll all be back.

Pixels on Paper photography Merlefest 2016 Steep Canyon Rangers photo

In 2015, we held a BIG party to celebrate and show our gratitude to friends, family and clients. We’ve been blessed beyond measure and believe me, we know it.

We have also gained so much personally. Ryan and I became parents since our 10th Anniversary party, and Finley changed more than just our work schedules. He’s our first thought when we make big decisions in business and at home.

After Finley was born, we re-prioritized nearly everything and realized that our schedule of weddings was going to be hard to maintain. The climate was shifting to trends of do-it-yourself with your iPhone or hire a family member or non-professional to handle it, but for us it was also the sheer number of weddings we were asked to photograph.









Ryan and I were keen to be present for raising our kid. That was the deciding factor. Moving forward, we will still photograph weddings, but they are on a case-by-case basis and are few and far between. Our focus now is on family portraits, the occasional community event, newborn portraits, outdoor photography and Day in the Life documentary portrait sessions. And of course, graphic design and commercial work continue to be a staple.

Only occasionally do I wish for a crystal ball, as we call it a wrap on 15 years and prepare for the next 15. My faith leads me to work on my patience and being present for Ryan, Finley, our family and ways to be better as a human and better as a photographer. There aren’t enough words to express how amazed I am that 15 years have passed and how grateful I am for what each one has taught me. Thank you to all of you who have supported us and continue to. We’re here! It’s a weird world right now, but we’re still at it. Happy Anniversary to Pixels and
… much love to you all,
Misty & Ryan


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.

LeAnne – Portrait photos of a UNCG Grad

If you are over the age of 30, this photo shoot will hurl you back in time: back to college graduation. Your life as an adult is ahead of you and it’s all just about the next chapter and big decisions. Ah, to be young.

We’ve known LeAnne McAbee since she was a high schooler and was a part of our All About Proms photo shoot 5 years ago. When she contacted me about her latest milestone, I couldn’t say “YES” fast enough.

When LeAnne determined that should would graduating in December, she was excited and ready to plan and so were we. She definitely wanted to get images when autumn was in full glory around the campus of UNCG, but you know that the best laid plans of mice, men, grads and photographers can easily be spoiled. We’ve learned not to expect the weather or Mama Nature to cooperate. The day of our October session, it was 98 degrees. LeAnne was the best though – even when she had to put on her polyester gown.

We shot all over campus at some of LeAnne’s favorite spots, and even at a few that we found accidentally. She was so lively and fresh-faced, it wouldn’t have mattered where my lens was focused, but the blue sky and her blue dress and gown were perfect. While photographing on the alumni hall steps we reminisced about the time in 2014 when I photographed her on similar steps at the Wilkesboro history museum. Will I be forgiven if I use the cliche “time flies?”

Leann McAbee UNC Greensboro College Senior Grad Portrait Photo

It’s an incredible feeling to see this once young teen now as an accomplished young woman, making big plans and following up on her dreams. We knew she would. Next steps for this year include taking (and I’m sure acing) the LSAT, and then beginning law school in the fall of 2020.   Congratulations, LeAnne!! We’re so proud of you.


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 weddingsbrides, 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.

88x31 lucy & glens valle crucis wedding photography | pixels on paper boone wedding photographers

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States LicenseAll photos are ©2019 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.

Baby Baby Roundup – Part II

We’re on a roll – or getting there – with our round-up of favorite baby blogs. This one will showcase favorites 6-month baby portrait sessions. Ryan and I are hip-deep in parenthood and love it – even the trying times are quickly turning into memories for us to laugh about and eye roll over later.
[Casual aside: If you’re going to do this parenting thing: DO IT. I watch friends celebrating another year circling the sun and it goes by so fast. AND THAT, my dear readers, is why getting professional portraits taken is vital.]

Case in point, pardon the pun… we take professional images of our own child Finley Case at every milestone. Yes, we capture images on our smart phones too, but we make time to get out the pro gear and do it right. Here’s his 6-month photo shoot.

Other favorite 6-month portrait sessions that are memorable favorites.
Sarah Grace – below – was too big for planting in a flower pot, as she was in her 8th month and a girl on the go. Getting her to sit still took creativity of anther kind. Keep reading >>

Sarah Holey 6 month baby Photography by Pixels On Paper Portrait Photography photo

Harper, below, also loves pearls and ruffles and 6 months is the perfect time to get baby girls to sit up, dress up and light up. Read more >>

Pixels On Paper, photo studio, 6 month portrait photo

Sweet Ava went from a purple tutu in her newborn photos to being a little woodland fairy in her 6-month outdoor portrait session.

Pixels On Paper Wilkesboro NC Photographers Senter family and baby outdoor portrait photo

Gavin donned his autumn gear for his 6-month outdoor shoot. So it’s not just pearls and studio portraits at this age. We encourage families to join in, to dress up or down, to go outside and have props. Whatever makes you happy! More on Gavin’s 6-month shoot >>

And we close out with sweet Conner T in a summer outdoor shoot at the family orchard. Read his 6 month blog >>

Conner Tevepaugh Six Month Photography by Pixels On Paper Portrait Photography

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 weddingsbrides, 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.

88x31 lucy & glens valle crucis wedding photography | pixels on paper boone wedding photographers

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States LicenseAll photos are ©2019 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.

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McKenzie Goff | Senior Portraits

This lovely new graduate is McKenzie Goff and she just wrapped up high school at Wilkes Central. This time of year is heady for new graduates, because they are smack in the middle of so much transition, change, and possibility. Milestones seem to happen weekly and for McKenzie, this includes acceptance to the University of Tennessee.

We’ve been friends with and photographing the Goff family for a very long time, including capturing their Christmas card images and portraits of their two daughters – both of whom have grown into the most sensitive, beautiful and interesting young women.

We’re so excited to watch McKenzie head to Knoxville to become a full-fledged Volunteer and begin her next chapter: the nursing program! Girl: you got this and we’re rooting for you!


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 weddingsbrides, 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.

88x31 lucy & glens valle crucis wedding photography | pixels on paper boone wedding photographers

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States LicenseAll photos are ©2019 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.