Posts Tagged: pixels on paper family photography
Thanksgiving Message from Pixels
Maya Angelou said, “Be present in all things, and grateful for all things.” I’m not always able to square that circle. How can you be grateful when it’s entirely possible to wake up every morning to bad news, worrisome statistics, and personal fear of the unknown future?
I had a friend share a quote from a monk with me the other day. It went something like, “see your anxiety and fear and sit with them, welcome them and smile at them.” Being present with anxiety? CHECK. Smile at it? Hmmmm. I think the monk meant that our goal is to familiarize ourselves with the concept that we have very little control in this life and we must do our best to adjust our outlook.
This year does not need another commentator, so I’ll skip the phrases we’ve all heard about 2020 since March. Endless complaints, like platitudes, don’t help, so let me just say this:
I am present when I am with my son at the breakfast table each morning. We’re just here, eating and jabbering, and plotting what the day may bring. Recently, watching him do something as simple as stuff acorns into his overalls was a moment I soaked up.
I’m present when I’m in prayer, reading scripture or from my daily devotions. Yes, my mind wanders, but with focus and discipline, I find the message meant for me, or at least I try.
I’m present when I chat with my family. There are still decisions that need to be made, stories to tell and retell, and – when possible – memories to make. I’m present when Ryan and I have time after Finley goes to bed. Sometimes it’s a struggle, but we need that connection for sure.
All of these – and more – make me grateful. It as if being present is the parent of gratitude. Slow down and tune in and you’ll see reasons to give thanks.
Ryan and I know that this year is like no other many of us have seen in our lifetimes, but it’s important to count our blessings. We are certainly grateful for each of you. You fill us up creatively and with your friendship, laughter, encouragement, prayers and collaboration. Thank you for that. We hope that we always give it back to your in spades.
Happy Thanksgiving. Whatever that looks like for you and your family, I hope you feel both present for the little moments and grateful for what you have.
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 Graybeal Family’s Fall Photos
Let’s be nimble.
Small businesses have been saying this for ages and when circumstances beyond your control (a global epidemic and crazy weather, for instance) shift your working life and schedule, you do a few backbends. The Graybeal family and Pixels had to do a few contortions recently, but the results were worth it. Fall family portraits with a view of Stone Mountain Park? Yes, please!
The last time we shot portraits of this family was the winter of 2017, but we’ve been photographing them for years.
Crystal, Adam and their boys – Colton and Landon – met up with us at Stone Mountain Park for their fall family portrait session. We were camping nearby and thought it would be a great place for the shoot. But despite our planning and pre-planning, we got there to find that the park was full to capacity.
NO problem (although, I’m a girl who loves a plan). We ended up driving to an overlook which turned out to be positively stunning. We let the kids play in the woods and ended up walking to where the overlook was actually a fabulous view of Stone Mountain Park itself.
Of course, it was wonderful seeing our friends, but I’m also happy about how these images turned out. I love the colors and textures of these photos, their clothing, the trees, the tall grass and the sunlight. God is good and we are so happy that we found the right day and the right time to reunite with this wonderful family.
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.
Siblings in Photography
It’s been said that a sibling is the only enemy you cannot live without. I’d like to think that I would use the case-by-case method instead of thinking that this is true across the board.
While musing recently about a possible influx of babies due to being quarantined in 2020, I reviewed so many images of children, of kids being kids, of the demure, the knuckleheads tamping down their laughter while I was shooting images, and of little cherubs (sorta) …. brothers and sisters, friends, conspirators, frenemies, … siblings.
A favorite line about siblings someone recently shared with me: They are children of the same parents, each of whom is perfectly normal until they get together. I love this and it prompted me to find other summaries and observations about siblings.
”The advantage of growing up with siblings is that you become very good at fractions.” – Robert Brault
“Half the time when brothers wrestle, it’s just an excuse to hug each other.” – James Patterson
“They say that no matter how old you become, when you are with your siblings, you revert back to childhood.” – Karen White
“A sibling is the lens through which you see your childhood.” – Ann Hood
“To the outside world, we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were, we know each other’s hearts, we share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys.” – Clara Ortega
I would like to add (as an only child) that cousins deserve to be included in this mix too. Those relationships that build and shape us are just the best.
Take the opportunity to have those relationships photographed.
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.
Newborn Liam
The coronavirus pandemic has changed all of us, and certainly it has shifted how we are living and working. As a photographer, I have experienced scheduling delays and a few setbacks, but all out of an abundance of caution. For us, it’s more important that we all get through this as safely as possible. So when a long-time planned newborn session presented itself, I wanted to oblige, but with those rules in place. And with some careful planning, I pulled off a very special collaboration.
Meet Liam Tevepaugh – a member of my family and a brand new baby.
Because parents Cody and Courtney are family, I didn’t want them to miss having newborn portraits taken of Liam, especially when his grandparents and other relatives haven’t been able to hold him in the hospital or when he was brought home. None of us however were comfortable with me handling him in our portrait studio or even gathering in the same space. So we concocted a unique plan wherein I cleaned and packed up one of my cameras and the lens I knew would be best and left it on their doorstep. I shared tutorials, specific camera settings and images that I had taken of other newborns to give them ideas and direction.
With some props, ideas and trial and error, they did a great job. After my camera was wiped down and returned, MY part of the collaboration was to download the images, retouch them, handle color corrections, and make all the editing adjustments.
They took my notes and suggestions about lighting, creating a cushion, where to shoot and how to pose little Liam and ran with it and I’m so happy that we could make this work. I cannot stress enough that this was an extremely unique set of circumstances and for a family that was planning to use one of our gift certificates for the baby’s first year package they were gifted.
While I have NO plans to do this again, with North Carolina slowly reopening, I do hope to begin shooting newborn sessions again soon, but outdoors. I’ve done this many times before and with the weather warming up for summer, it is entirely possible to be safe, clean, socially distanced and successful. If you’re interested in discussing an outdoor newborn, family or child photography session in the months to come, please 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.
Family Time
As I continue to ponder the priorities that Ryan and I have for 2020 and beyond, family keeps coming up.
As a family, we are focusing more on time together and making memories, especially with our extended family who all want time with Finley.
Why a Family Documentary Session?
Because you won’t regret it.
When we have a milestone, we hire our peers to photograph us with Finley, family and friends and we are also encouraging our client families to do the same. Let us capture your casual down time together. These are not stressful photo shoots. NONE of our photo shoots with families are unless there are last minute changes and even then, we know how to laugh and hug and say, “you’ll be telling this story decades from now.”
Some families plan a day in a special place like an orchard, a greenway, a park, beach or mountain retreat. For these, we get posed images for the archives, frames and scrapbooks, of course, but we also get the more casual shots of them just hugging, chatting and being together.
I know I sound like I’m giving a sermon, but family is important and some of the best pictures we take, those that the family members love the most, are caught off guard or of people just relaxing.
Things to Consider When Planning a Day in the Life or Family Photo Shoot:
+ How often do you ALL get together? Identify the time and start contacting your relatives and friends;
+ Is there a special place that your tribe loves? Can you visit, book it or plan to meet up there?
+ Do you all like to do something together? Do you ride bicycles or hike or ski or go bowling? Do you have a workshop where 3 generations can build something together? Do you love to cook or paint? You do not have to have an activity, but if your family is drawn to the water or to the garden, to your alma mater or family business, let’s include that.
If your priority this year is a photo session that is easy and casual and personal, think about a Day in the Life session. We can help with the details and planning and we’re ready! Contact us to discuss further.
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