Posts Tagged: NC

spotlight: our own outdoor portrait garden

One of the greatest pleasures of owning a century old home and the land surrounding it is the maintenance.

Maybe not.
One of the great pleasures of living where we do is that we were able to turn this place into whatever we wanted. We knew when we first began searching for a studio location that it had to accommodate both indoor and outdoor backdrops. What we found is part home, part studio, part offices and when you step outside, you’re surrounded by beauty. Shooting in our outdoor portrait garden is a favorite of ours and we thought – now that summer is on – we’d share some favorite shots we’ve taken there. Some babies, some sunflowers (see just below), some woods and benches, color with natural light and lots of green. We’re truly blessed. And we don’t mind the maintenance…pixels on paper photography Colburn Outdoor Family Portrait garden photo

Pixels on Paper photography Outdoor Portrait Photography Senior Portraits photoBrock's 12 month baby photography, pixels on paper studio family portrait photography photoPixels on Paper Berard Wedding, Jessica Upchurch Bridal portrait photo

Pixels on Paper Photography Outdoor Portrait garden photo

What nature doesn’t create for us in the surrounding landscapes, we are creating ourselves. From old tin and barn wood that we’ve rescued and harvested ourselves to antique and ReStore treasure finds that we’ve re-purposed. Our outdoor portrait backdrops are constantly changing based on need and our desire to create more options for our portrait photography clients. All within a few steps outside our studio’s front door.

Pixels on Paper Photography Outdoor Portrait Garden photoPixels on Paper Photography Outdoor portrait garden babyMeade Outdoor Family Portrait Photography photoPixels On Paper Photography All About Prom 2014 PhotoPixels on Paper Photography outdoor portraits garden photo

Pixels on Paper Photography outdoor portrait garden photo

Souther Prom portrait photography by Wilkesboro NC portrait Photographers Pixels On Paper photoPixels on Paper Photography outdoor portrait garden photo

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 kidsengagements 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.

vendor spotlight: winding creek wedding barn

Pixels On Paper wedding photographers. Winding Creek Farm outdoor wedding Hamptonville NC photo

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.
Pixels On Paper wedding photographers. Winding Creek Farm outdoor wedding Hamptonville NC photoPixels On Paper wedding photographers. Winding Creek Farm outdoor wedding Hamptonville NC photoPixels On Paper wedding photographers. Winding Creek Farm outdoor wedding Hamptonville NC photoPixels On Paper wedding photographers. Winding Creek Farm outdoor wedding Hamptonville NC photoWe 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.
Pixels On Paper wedding photographers. Winding Creek Farm outdoor wedding Hamptonville NC photoPixels On Paper wedding photographers. Winding Creek Farm outdoor wedding Hamptonville NC photoPixels On Paper wedding photographers. Winding Creek Farm outdoor wedding Hamptonville NC photoHelping 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.
Pixels On Paper wedding photographers. Winding Creek Farm outdoor wedding Hamptonville NC photoPixels On Paper wedding photographers. Winding Creek Farm outdoor wedding Hamptonville NC photoPixels On Paper wedding photographers. Winding Creek Farm outdoor wedding Hamptonville NC photoPixels On Paper wedding photographers. Winding Creek Farm outdoor wedding Hamptonville NC photoPixels On Paper wedding photographers. Winding Creek Farm outdoor wedding Hamptonville NC photo

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.
Pixels On Paper wedding photographers. Winding Creek Farm outdoor wedding Hamptonville NC photo
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 kidsengagements 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.

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woodland fairies portraits – expecting mom and young daughter

Come fairies, take me out of this dull world, for I would ride with you upon the wind
and dance upon the mountains like a flame.
– W. B. Yeats
Minick Outdoor Maternity Portrait PhotographyMinick Outdoor Maternity Portrait PhotographyThis was a special session for us with expectant mom (and dancer) Rachel Minick and her daughter Amelia (learning to dance). And they do not have a dull life, by the way. What growing family is dull? But, we were going for the woodland fairy and bohemian vibe and we got it. Mother and daughter were so mellow and happy walking around and dancing barefooted together through streams, hills and spring grass. The whole session felt serene and incredibly cool.
Minick Outdoor Maternity Portrait PhotographyMinick Outdoor Maternity Portrait PhotographyWe’ve been photographing little sprite Amelia since she was teeny and (we’ve said this before, but….) this family feels like family to US. We love them and love being a part of their journey. We started photographing them when Rachel and husband Ryan were engagedAmelia is going to be an amazing big sister, but on this day in April, she was the only game in town. Just mama and daughter, senior and junior fairies. Minick Outdoor Maternity Portrait Photography
We shot this session with Rachel and Amelia in our favorite apple orchards and the wooded creek in mid-April and my favorite photos are the truly candid ones with them together. Amelia is just beginning the more girlie aspects of her childhood and in other portraits, it’s clear that Rachel is thinking about the next little creature to hit the earth and join their family. 
Minick Outdoor Maternity Portrait PhotographyMinick Outdoor Maternity Portrait PhotographyMinick Outdoor Maternity Portrait Photography

The natural beauty of this day was such an important feature and honestly, most if not all of our sessions with this couple-now-family have taken place outside. It’s a fit. We look forward to seeing the next Minick.

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 kidsengagements 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.

merlefest 2016 – the big wrap up

Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 photo

Sythian, backlit

Merlefest 2016 had rain, sun, the pair of us wrapping ourselves in outerwear one minute, covering our equipment in plastic the next, changing into shorts and shedding same outerwear, then later putting sweatshirts back on, downloading photo files and racing to the next stage. WE LOVED IT. The pace was hectic and often we had to remind ourselves to eat and yet we still missed many meals. On almost every day, we would get out of the car, smooch and then not see each other again until it was time to leave that night. Occasionally we’d spot each other and wave when passing from one stage to another. (Fun tip: pack a spare pair of socks and keep ’em handy when attending this or any other multi-day fest).

Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Steep Canyon Rangers photo

Frontman for Steep Canyon Rangers – Woody Platt

Several bands we, and other photographers, were scheduled to shoot decided to block photographers from capturing any images right before going on stage. While we were disappointed, as were the crowds in the first few rows who were also banned, we did get to see new performers to Merlefest, some performers who’ve been tried and true regulars and some old timers.
Newbies included Lindsay Lou & the Flatbelly’s, from Michigan, who were lively and fun.
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Lindsay Lou & Flatbelly's photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Lindsay Lou & Flatbellys photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Lindsay Lou & Flatbellys photoOf the regulars, the Steep Canyon Rangers did not disappoint. Out of Western NC – they drew an enormous crowd.
Pixels on Paper photography Merlefest 2016 Steep Canyon Rangers photoPixels on Paper photography Merlefest 2016 Steep Canyon Rangers photoPixels on Paper photography Merlefest 2016 Steep Canyon Rangers photoPixels on Paper photography Merlefest 2016 Steep Canyon Rangers photoPixels on Paper photography Merlefest 2016 Steep Canyon Rangers photoRyan had the pleasure of covering the Chris Austin Songwriters Competition and photographing participants, including our pal Meris Gant. Austin was a beloved country music singer and songwriter who passed in 1991 and the competition raises scholarship money for Austin’s Memorial fund.
Pixels on Paper photography Merlefest 2016 Meris Gant photoMerlefest will celebrate its 30th year in 2017 and we’re excited about what it will be like in 350 days. With all the new performers and regulars, it’s always nice to see someone who has been performing for 29 years and one of them is Peter Rowan. We’ll leave you with a couple pics of him.
Pixels on Paper photography Merlefest 2016 Peter Rowan photoPixels on Paper photography Merlefest 2016 Peter Rowan photo

We’re just now getting back to feeling semi-rested, and already looking forward to next year.

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 kidsengagements 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.

merlefest 2016

4 days, 18 bands, 13 stages, 74,500 roaming festival goers and 22 miles of steps for both of us. And all God’s children and Mastercard ad lovers said, “Priceless.”
We were asked to be official photographers again this year for Merlefest 2016 and were there from Wednesday to Sunday, so we’re splitting this blog into 2. We simply saw and photographed too much to try to load it into one. Like last year, it was amazing: the music, the lively vibe, the pace (read: non-stop) and we’d be lying if we didn’t say we were thrilled OUT OF OUR MINDS to have 3 of Misty’s shots picked up by major media outlets: Rolling Stone, Huffington Post and HCPress.pixels on paper photography merlefest 2016 rolling stone photoRanking the bands would take WAAAY to much negotiation, so we’re just gonna show you shots of those we covered and let you investigate those you’ve never heard of and grin at those you know well.
Barefoot Movement – a bluegrass, folk trio out of Nashville.
Pixels on Paper Photography Barefoot Movement Ryan photoPixels on Paper Photography Barefoot Movement Merlefest 2016 photoPixels on Paper Photography Barefoot Movement Merlefest 2016 photoBecky Buller – bluegrass fiddler, with a classical violin background and Old-Time/Country flair (Minnesota meets East Tennessee)
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Becky Buller photo

Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Becky Buller photo

Becky Buller’s high-spirited accompaniment

Girls, girls and more girls! In order….
Emi Sunshine – a 12-year old dynamo/prodigy whose surname is spot on (from Tennessee)
Jennifer B & the Groove – Americana rock band out with a kick-butt front woman (Austin, Texas)
Sarah Potenza – Raw vocalist who leaves it all on the stage (Nashville, Tennessee)
And, finally April Verch, who Rolling Stone said best embodied the spirit of Doc Watson. She’s a CHARMER!
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Emi Sunshine photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Emi Sunshine photoJennifer B & the Groove…Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Jennifer B photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Jennifer B photoSarah Polenza…Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Sarah Potenza photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Sarah Potenza photoApril Verch…
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 April Verch photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 April Verch photoNow for some boys, starting with We Banjo 3 – a brilliant mix of Irish and American strumming, fiddling and flash.
Below those guys are Old Crow Medicine Show out of Nashville. We may have lost count, but there were at least 2 banjos, an upright base, guitars and fiddles.
And finally, the Wood Brothers – an amazing trio out of Nashville.
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 We Banjo 3 photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 We Banjo 3 photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 We Banjo 3 photoOld Crow Medicine Show…
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Old Crow Medicine Show photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Old Crow Medicine Show photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Old Crow Medicine Show photoThe Wood Brothers…
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 the Wood Brothers photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 the Wood Brothers photo<Happy Sigh> enough for now.
Ok – two more: Sunday Morning Blues and South Carolina Broadcasters.
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Sunday Morning Blues photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Sunday Morning Blues photoSouth Carolina Broadcasters…
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 South Carolina Broadcasters photoMore in our next blog about the new-comers, the regulars like Steep Canyon Rangers and the old-timers who’ve made Merlefest every year for 29 years.
We’ll leave you with another media love-up, this one from Huffington Post. We couldn’t be more honored or humbled!
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Huffington Post photo

 

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 kidsengagements 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.