Posts Tagged: Portrait Photography

a bridal portrait session in the greens of mother nature

Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous
  to be understood.
How grass can be nourishing in the 
  mouths of the lambs.
How rivers and stones are forever
  in allegiance with gravity
    while we ourselves dream of rising.
How two hands touch and the bonds will
  never be broken….*

Blowing Rock NC Bridal portrait wedding photography by Wilkesboro NC Photographers Pixels On Paper photo

Bride-to-be, Kendall Shephard, reminds of us a swan a little bit. Dressed in white, gorgeous but not overdone, long, lean, elegant. She stands out, but just so, in all that green. Her fiancé, now husband Nathan Williams, works for the North Carolina Wildlife Commission and the couple spend an enviably high percentage of their time outdoors hiking, playing and exploring. We chose the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, NC for her bridal portrait session and it made perfect sense. She was happy and completely in her element, even in a wedding gown.

Blowing Rock NC Bridal portrait wedding photography by Wilkesboro NC Photographers Pixels On Paper photoBlowing Rock NC Bridal portrait wedding photography by Wilkesboro NC Photographers Pixels On Paper photoBlowing Rock NC Bridal portrait wedding photography by Wilkesboro NC Photographers Pixels On Paper photo

Kendall shined, surrounded by shades of summer green, rippling water, moss, stone, rocks and branches. She was this perfect column of light. A classic beauty in the middle of natural beauty.

Blowing Rock NC Bridal portrait wedding photography by Wilkesboro NC Photographers Pixels On Paper photoBlowing Rock NC Bridal portrait wedding photography by Wilkesboro NC Photographers Pixels On Paper photoBlowing Rock NC Bridal portrait wedding photography by Wilkesboro NC Photographers Pixels On Paper photoThese portraits were taken in June of this year and the couple were married in August. She was just as, if not more, beautiful on that day with Nathan by her side and surrounded by her nearest and dearest, so stay tuned for the blog about the Shepherd-Williams wedding. But this day was Kendall’s and she could not have been more clear and pure and alive wandering in the woods and musing with us about her upcoming wedding.

*Let me keep my distance, always, from those
  who think they have the answers.
Let me keep company always with those who say
  “Look!” and laugh in astonishment,
  and bow their heads.
– Mary Oliver, nature poet

 

a mountain top wedding – filled with color, light and perfect outdoor views

Meghann and Josh know how to do it up right. Their August 2015 wedding goes down in our book of faves. Meghann told us several times that she didn’t realize everything that was going on at once or recall all of the details until she saw all of the photos we shot. That, to us, says mission accomplished. Brides and grooms plan for everything, but can’t be a part of Every Single Thing.
That’s why they hire photographers.

Boone Blowing Rock NC wedding photographers Pixels On Paper Lansing NC On The Windfall Outdoor Mountain Wedding PhotoBoone Blowing Rock NC wedding photographers Pixels On Paper Lansing NC On The Windfall Outdoor Mountain Wedding Photo

We loved the color palette of this wedding, we loved their families and friends and we loved the property – On The Windfall in Lansing, NC. This wedding, sports fans, was literally at the top of a mountain and guests were delivered to the site via designated 4 wheel drive vehicles. There were no other buildings around. The views in every direction were spectacular.
And we loved the million little thoughtful details. (Their wedding coordinator was Sammie Roberts of Something Perfect Wedding & Events and the attention to detail was unerring. Nice job!) When we meet with engaged couples, we advise them to put as many personal and significant details in their wedding ceremony as they can and these two went above and beyond. One example…. Meghann had small portraits of her late grandparents sewn into her bouquet.

Boone Blowing Rock NC wedding photographers Pixels On Paper Lansing NC On The Windfall Outdoor Mountain Wedding PhotoBoone Blowing Rock NC wedding photographers Pixels On Paper Lansing NC On The Windfall Outdoor Mountain Wedding PhotoBoone Blowing Rock NC wedding photographers Pixels On Paper Lansing NC On The Windfall Outdoor Mountain Wedding PhotoJosh’s job centers around being outdoors and he and Meghann spend their free time outside and in the woods as much as possible. So, one of Josh’s personal touches/contributions was that he built the arbor/altar where they said their vows. The mountain-top setting took everyone’s breath away and then, topping it off, was this hand-made gift Josh made for his bride. I mean, C’MON!!!
Meghann countered his personal touch by choosing to walk/dance/strut down the aisle to Bruno Mars’ “Marry You.” Josh LOVED it, and so did everyone else. The mood was already electric and this just goosed it that much more.

Boone Blowing Rock NC wedding photographers Pixels On Paper Lansing NC On The Windfall Outdoor Mountain Wedding PhotoBoone Blowing Rock NC wedding photographers Pixels On Paper Lansing NC On The Windfall Outdoor Mountain Wedding Photo

Part of their ceremony included a beautiful representation of them joining their lives and they did it in form of something that will live on and grow. The couple planted a tree together using soil that they brought from each family homestead. Like the Unity Candle or the Sand Ceremony, the blending of families in this way was beautiful and touching and incredibly apt in that setting. These two are just so cool!

Boone Blowing Rock NC wedding photographers Pixels On Paper Lansing NC On The Windfall Outdoor Mountain Wedding PhotoBoone Blowing Rock NC wedding photographers Pixels On Paper Lansing NC On The Windfall Outdoor Mountain Wedding PhotoBoone Blowing Rock NC wedding photographers Pixels On Paper Lansing NC On The Windfall Outdoor Mountain Wedding PhotoBoone Blowing Rock NC wedding photographers Pixels On Paper Lansing NC On The Windfall Outdoor Mountain Wedding PhotoBoone Blowing Rock NC wedding photographers Pixels On Paper Lansing NC On The Windfall Outdoor Mountain Wedding PhotoBoone Blowing Rock NC wedding photographers Pixels On Paper Lansing NC On The Windfall Outdoor Mountain Wedding Photo

The reception……. oooooooooh my. The sun started to fade as the toasts were made and food was served and then the karaoke got started. It was a PAR-TAY!! So much joy, so much dancing and storytelling and singing and silliness. Meghann told us that she’d cried several times while planning the ceremony and reception (the Good Cry; the “I love him and can’t wait to be his wife” cry) and was certain she would “be a mess.” But she said afterwards, “I can honestly say that no tears were shed that day…which is surprising. When we look at our pictures, we are laughing in so many of them – and not just with each other – it’s during every phase of the day. Mostly, I remember laughing when we read our vows. Some of it could have been nerves, but for the most part, it was hearing that we had chosen some of the very same things to say to each other without even knowing.”Boone Blowing Rock NC wedding photographers Pixels On Paper Lansing NC On The Windfall Outdoor Mountain Wedding PhotoBoone Blowing Rock NC wedding photographers Pixels On Paper Lansing NC On The Windfall Outdoor Mountain Wedding PhotoBoone Blowing Rock NC wedding photographers Pixels On Paper Lansing NC On The Windfall Outdoor Mountain Wedding Photo

We want to end this blog with quotes directly from the bride and groom about their day and their feelings about life ahead. We asked them the 3 things they want to remember about their wedding day and here’s what they said:
1 – The biggest thing I want to remember is a lesson:  Above all else, we have each other and everything is okay.
2 – Life is easier and you can relax when you put things “in your garden”.  Minor details never matter!  Smile, breathe, and LAUGH!
3 – Everybody around us worked SO hard to pull this off … doing things behind the scenes that I didn’t even know about.  Always remember to love and appreciate everything that everyone has done for you.  It may not look like a lot, but for every little bit you see, there is a lot of deep rooted effort.

the Spillman wedding at tanglewood park creates an epic southern event ~ hats and all

Dear Wedding Guest: We decided to buy a house.
So, we’re taking our big wedding plans and making some changes.
Thanks for understanding, for being present and for loving us.
Elisabeth Bolick and Isaac Spillman tanglewood wedding photo Elisabeth Bolick and Isaac Spillman tanglewood wedding photo

This is how it went down and this couple is nimble to say the least.
Elisabeth Bolick & Isaac Spillman were planning on a 2016 wedding. Elisabeth was a bride-to-be we met at the Wilkes Wedding Expo in March of 2015 and she was looking forward to her wedding: planning it, grabbing info, meeting vendors and extremely excited. Then just a few months later Pixels got a call. The couple found a house and were ready to invest in a home versus a big wedding. Big change of plans – and for a good reason. Now, they were talking about 50 guests, no attendants and a ceremony during the middle of the day on a Friday.

The reconfiguration of plans was seamless and the ceremony took place at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC and the reception at WinMock. The church on the Tanglewood property is rustic and old world. It was built in 1809 and is one room with open windows for a breeze, and it was perfectly decorated for them. Decorations included Southern magnolia garland branches from the Spillman’s new house property. Elisabeth Bolick and Isaac Spillman tanglewood wedding photoElisabeth Bolick and Isaac Spillman tanglewood wedding photo Even though they changed the ceremony, Elisabeth and Isaac are self-described “big softies,” and they paid attention to the little details. Lady guests were invited to wear Derby hats. Elisabeth’s shoes were a cross between Marie Antoinette and Annie Oakley and her bouquet was created from broaches, tie pins, cuff links, coins, and other important pieces that she requested from both sides of their family. She even had a sixpence in her shoe.Elisabeth Bolick and Isaac Spillman tanglewood wedding photoElisabeth Bolick and Isaac Spillman tanglewood wedding photoElisabeth Bolick and Isaac Spillman tanglewood wedding photosElisabeth Bolick and Isaac Spillman tanglewood wedding photo A change in plans can cause a change in emotions sometimes. This was not true for Elisabeth and Isaac. “Our favorite moments from the day were the special time of just us doing the post-wedding pictures before the reception, the looks on our faces as we recited our vows to one other and how much fun it was (and not stressful)”
Elisabeth Bolick and Isaac Spillman tanglewood wedding photoElisabeth Bolick and Isaac Spillman tanglewood wedding photoYes. That (above) is the Groom’s cake. Isaac loves to fish. And below – check out the Magnolia garlands.
Elisabeth Bolick and Isaac Spillman tanglewood wedding photoElisabeth Bolick and Isaac Spillman tanglewood wedding photoElisabeth Bolick and Isaac Spillman tanglewood wedding photo

Congrats to Elisabeth and Isaac. Much love to you both. Your wedding was magic.

Meet Copeland Ward ~ a name you may know before too long

Many of us, in the South especially, grew up hearing, “Pretty is as pretty does.” What is on the outside is just the genetic dressing you were given, but your heart and spine, your care for others, your reactions to life’s circumstances, and your interactions with the world are ultimately what determines the manner of man or woman you are. That said, how you look really is the most important thing. It just is.

<SMILING> Just wanted to make sure you were awake.

At Pixels, we’ve created head shots for business men and women, aspiring models or actors who need a portfolio and those who shine among us and want to share that sparkle for any number of reasons or objectives. Who wouldn’t want to help someone accomplish their goals and be a part of capturing the very best sides of themselves on camera? Copeland Ward is just such a candidate. She’s a busy soon-to-be high schooler, active in gymnastics, is a competitive cheerleader and has joined the pageant scene to great success.

Pixels on Paper photographs Copeland Ward's Model Headshots photo

We invited Copeland to the Pixels studios and also coordinated professional hair and make-up for her and even planned the wardrobe. Our goal was to create a look both youthful and classic, but that would also capture Copeland as the vibrant, interesting girl she is.

Pixels on Paper photographs Copeland Ward's Model Headshots photo

Pixels on Paper photographs Copeland Ward's Model Headshots photo

It’s hard to convey everything about a person in a photo or two, but what we can do as photographers is highlight those features that make you want to meet them or know more or both. Copeland’s eyes and especially her smile invite you in and show such warmth and youth and life and hope… at least that’s what we think. She’s a jewel.
A few weeks after we took these pics, she entered the Young Miss Wilkes County pageant and won. SHE WON! She’s now preparing to compete in the Young Miss North Carolina pageant. We’re so happy to have played a part in this journey, no matter where it leads.

Pixels on Paper photographs Copeland Ward's Model Headshots photo

If you’re interested in having Pixels work with you to develop a portfolio by capturing portraits, contact us. We’d love help you!