Posts Tagged: NC Location photography
Barrett Turns One
Some photo shoot themes have to be crafted and developed out of thin air. And others are a natural because of family hobbies, vocations, passions, whatever. For Barrett Spillman’s one year portraits and cake smash, the choice of baseball was a home run….. I know. I’m ducking as I type, but this stuff writes itself, you guys!
Mom Elisabeth told me her idea of “MVP of the Year” and to “run with it” and that’s exactly what I did. Both her father and her husband Isaac, play baseball, so this theme felt like a fitting tribute to them and a fun way to celebrate their one year old.
I love doing an outdoor cake smash but rarely get to because many parents prefer to photograph them indoors. Fortunately, these parents weren’t at all worried about their little rookie getting dirty.
We adore Elisabeth and Isaac and have photographed their engagement, bridal, wedding, Barrett’s newborn portraits and At Home Christmas. So it’s nice to feel relaxed and ready to play with faces we know well. This family is one of those who’ve hired us from the beginning and appreciate the continuity we capture through photo sessions over the years.
Now for some baseball! Thanks to our Parks and Rec director here in Wilkesboro who met with me and gave me full access to newly refurbished baseball fields that were otherwise locked down for the season. It’s hard to have a baseball shoot without the right setting. And thanks to my dear friend Ashley Shumate, the busiest baseball Mom I know. She let me borrow all the baseball gear to bring my vision to life for the Spillmans.
Barrett loved being outside, in the dug out, and on home plate and played the role of MVP as if he were born to it! His first birthday cake was a reward, so he was game for just about anything we needed from him. He was a good sport!
Those expressions during the first taste of icing are always priceless and rewarding.
We also photographed some studio portraits where Barrett wore an outfit that was a family heirloom. It’s been passed down and worn by other babies in the family turning one before him. Hence the need for these shots to be indoors. I wanted to preserve and protect it for future generations. That and it was 100% wool! To hot for outside.
Happy Birthday, Young Man!! We’ll see you soon, I hope – whether you’re a sports star or not, we’re fans of yours.
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 LicenseAll photos are ©2019 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.
The Importance of Place : Locations for Portraits
Ryan and I love to travel and we have so many memories that are grounded (pardon the pun) in specific places. In fact, there are several spots that – the minute we drive up – we’re flooded with that sense of place, special moments that we remember, and those we hope to make in the years to come. From your grandmother’s backyard to certain mountain trails, family summer spots or just favorite views – places matter to all of us maybe more than we realize until we’re there. Capturing clients in those locations for photo shoots is important and we love how those places are a character in your personal stories.
All of these engagement portraits were taken at specifically chosen spots…. places not chosen by us, but by the couples – and for a reason. We always ask our brides and grooms a series of questions about themselves and several of them relate to how and where they met, where they like to spend time together, and which places in their lives communicate who they are. It not only serves the practical purpose of planning, but tells us so much about our subjects.
Maddie & Preston both grew up and went to school in Jefferson NC, and this barn is a testament to their love of home.
Above: Generations of the Kessel family worked in and are credited with the restoration of Loray Mill in Gastonia. Christine and Adam wanted their portraits taken at the Mill.
Michelle and Randy grew up beside each other – seriously. Their family farms were separated by fields and this fence line.
Kendra and Nathan love visiting NC wineries in their spare time. The Piccione Vineyards were a perfect spot for their engagement portraits. A picnic? YESSSS!!!
Katie & Tim both met and worked together at The Biltmore Estate in Asheville and wandering around with them and their sweet pup for this portrait session was a blast!
Kathren loves these old trees on the property of her Grandmother’s home where both she and Nathan live. The sense of place and memory in trees like this one make portraits into heirlooms.
Finally – this. My heart could explode when I look at this place. Our home. The home I share with my partner in business, my partner in life and the sweet child we are raising together. Our clients, friends and family have graced that porch, those rooms and the surrounding yards and garden. Talk about grounding. This does it for me. Hence the reason for having our family photographed on the front porch.
Photo by: Suzie Guerrant Photography
When you’re considering a photo shoot – whether it’s for an engagement portrait session, a family reunion, a special milestone – do NOT be afraid to consider the places that matter to you the most. They may not feel or seem glamorous or sophisticated or even perfectly manicured, but the results will make you sooooooooooooo happy in both the short and long run.
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 ©2018 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.
Outdoor Photo Shoots – It’s About Location
In my recent blog about summer photos, I mentioned that you don’t have to be getting married to plan a photo session with us during this gorgeous time of year. Although….. look at these two below. Pretty fab standing in the Church of Mother Nature. Potential outdoor shots are practically everywhere.
The Blue Ridge Parkway, The Biltmore House and Grove Park Inn in Asheville, The Piccione Vineyards in Ronda, NC, trails and fields in Blowing Rock, your own family property, camps and cabins, and any number of beaches in North or South Carolina, state parks or favorite neighborhood recreational spots make perfect destinations for a photo shoot. 
Our own portrait garden at the Pixels Studio is often the best option for those who want a beautiful outdoor shot but cannot travel too far. And honestly, we have more than a few clients who DO make a long drive to us BECAUSE they love our gardens and the relaxed feeling of the place.
Contact us about your summer adventure and if you’d like to commemorate it with photos!
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.
vendor spotlight: winding creek wedding barn
Misty spent an amazing day at Winding Creek Wedding Barn – a destination wedding location in Yadkin County, NC, doing a photo shoot complete with models, catering, clothing, makeup and hair. Winding Creek touts its scenery, laid-back feel, on site bridal salon, rolling farmland and rustic elegance.
The place is beautiful.
We love outdoor photo shoots and a scan of our wedding and engagement sessions (in fact our family portraits as well) italicizes this. Winding Creek is a PERFECT outdoor wedding venue.
Helping to create the mood for the day at Winding Creek were several other fabulous vendors. Clothing and accessories were provided by Bridal Traditions; hair and makeup styles were created by Cali Stott; the cake was made by Sweet Thing Bakery & Café and the catering was from Third Branch Café. All of these vendors are definitely worth a look if you’re planning your wedding.
Winding Creek Wedding Barn is a find for those who are interested in a place that caters to what wedding parties need and want, with a relaxed yet stunning vibe.
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 babies and kids, 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.