Posts Tagged: outdoor family photographers
Roark, Lovell and Triplett Families combined
We gathered with four generations of a family for a fall portrait session and these always remind me of the connectedness we have, but so rarely feel until there is a holiday or a special occasion. In this particular instance, it was Tabitha Lovell’s desire to capture her family together after a few members passed away recently. That sense of unexpected loss propelled her and we’re so happy to have been able to take these outdoor portraits for her and for all members of these families.
New Great-Grandparents (again), the Roarks
We’d recently photographed the newborn portraits of Miss Gracelynn, daughter of Matthew and Caitlin. On this day, the trio were joined by Caitlyn’s mom Tabitha, dad Roger and brother Zach, as well as Tabitha’s parents Mr & Mrs. Roark.
The property where we met is a campground long-maintained by Roger and his family and is a special place for everyone. There were so many beautiful spots to choose from for groupings and individual portraits. The day had a reunion feeling, because – as I’ve covered before – it’s hard enough to find a date, time and place for everyone to meet up, but during a pandemic it’s a real hat trick.
I love the images of the new parents with Gracelynn, and with new grandparents Tabitha and Roger (below) and Gracelynn being held by her Uncle Zach (above). That baby was the shining star and everyone wanted to hold her.
We began designing a wall of images for Tabitha’s home even before Gracelynn’s newborn session, and new Gramma was keen to get everyone together for more portraits to complete her vision. Now that we have all of these, we’ve finished our plan and she has a beautiful home gallery filled with family.
If you are separated by Covid, distance or any other reason and would like to gather everyone together for a session, we would be honored to photograph your family for posterity.
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.
The Waters Family Fall Photos
Reunited and it feels so good… although it was a rainy day and we had to zig and zag logistically. We LOVE this family. The Waters are Scott, Susan, Maddie and Emma and we go way back. Scott was the pastor who married Ryan and me, so our bond is pretty special.
As the Youth Pastor at Forest Hill Church in Charlotte, Scott got to know Ryan and me when we volunteered with him to help with youth activities on Sundays and on retreats. After we moved to Wilkesboro, we stayed in touch, but the call from Susan to set up a shoot was awesome.
Long before Finley was born and we were active in the church, we remember these girls as infants and we have watched them grow up.
I specifically remember an instance when we were working with Scott and Emma was just a baby. Susan was pushing through those tough chapters of letting her cry it out at bedtime while sitting outside the door, crying herself. When Scott and the girls would come our way for Merlefest each year, he would stay and volunteer with us. We’ve cherished their friendship and their example as parents and people.
During this complicated time, they reached out for an outdoor family photo shoot at Appalachian State University, where Maddie is a student. Unfortunately, this was during the long and rainy days of early October. Their name may be Waters, but … it complicated things. Leave it to Ryan to find a great backup location near the Blue Ridge Parkway. I love that they had App State umbrellas that could be incorporated too.
The images are glorious. They are a beautiful family, made up of beautiful souls and I’m thrilled that we were able to make it happen.
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.
Our family farm gets a fence
Any painter, writer, graphic designer will tell you that starting with a blank canvas is exhilarating and daunting. This space below was our project canvas. Mission: build a fence around my parents cattle farm and make it a family project. So… Mission 2 – make family memories.
We all took part in this project and our two year old learned even more about heavy machinery, sweat equity and when to take time out to play in the fields and by the water.
Here are stats:
They have 33 acres of farm land for cattle raising, which meant that we needed 4,500 feet of fence perimeter. We bought and used 13,500 feet of wire, 96 5’x8′ wood posts (you heard me!), 185 metal t-posts, two 12′ gates, 2.5 cases of water, 24 bottles of Gatorade, 2 cans sunscreen and a bottle of bug spray. It took 4 adults and 1 toddler working 5 full days, but we did it. Everyone was whoppin tired except for Finley.
When Finley wasn’t moving earth or handling tools, he took up other projects, plus a little fun time riding around on his ATV.
My parents just told us (and Finley) that they were naming the farm after Finley James and he was delighted – as an almost 3 year old would be. Legacy is important to my folks and our work together, memory making and the results make me so proud that we’re all together, healthy and had the time (and energy) to finish such a massive project.
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.
Expecting baby Angelina
This couple is so cool that it’s both blinding and fun to consider writing about them…. I’m not sure if I can even handle this blog. They are scheduled to deliver what will probably be an equally cool baby girl in October of this year and they deserve celebrating, especially during this bizarre year we’re having. Meet Jessica and Bobby Bennett. We’ve known them for a decade and they just keep getting cooler.
We held their portrait session at Stowe Manor in Belmont, NC on July 24th. This was the same location where we photographed Jessica’s bridal portraits, where her bridal shower was held, and their engagement party. It made sense. We recreated several similar images Jessica requested showing them then to now. Neither the location nor this lovable couple have changed one bit. It was fun to hang out together, reminisce and recreate memories while making new ones.
Bobby and Jessica are huge sports fans and football rivals. Bobby is all about the Baltimore Ravens and Jessica is a Carolina Panthers girl. Their demonstration of the rivalry and love of the game still continues 10 years later.
They plan to name this baby Angelina James and call her Lina James, a combination of two other family names. They’ve also chosen her nickname – “Juicy,” because they want Lina James to have juicy thighs that they can squeeze. Hence the nameplate on her first football attire. How cute is that?
Jessica & Bobby’s Wedding 2010 
Jessica’s Bridal Portrait 2010 
Jessica & Bobby’s Wedding 2010 
Jessica’s Bridal Portrait 2010 
I love these old images next to their new counterparts. It was such a good idea and a fun way to be back with them in the same spot where other milestones have occurred.
Little Juicy Lina James: we CANNOT WAIT to meet you, girl!
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.
Best of Father’s Day – Part 1
Let’s celebrate the guys we love. June means heat, summer vacations, family outings but also being stuck indoors or trying to get out responsibly after quarantine. I could not be more grateful for my own father and for my hubs, Ryan. We’ve taken so many wonderful images of dads over the years that it felt like time to do a two part blog showcasing some of our favorites.
“My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, “You’re tearing up the grass.”
“We’re not raising grass,” Dad would reply.
“We’re raising boys.” – Harmon Killebrew
“A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms even when his hand’s are empty.” – Unknown
“By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong.” – Charles Wadsworth
“When you teach your son, you teach your son’s son.” – The Talmud
“He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived and let me watch him do it.” – Clarence Budington Kelland
Happy Father’s Day, Dads! Part 2 is to come. We love celebrating 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 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.