Posts Tagged: wilkes county
whitney & preston ~ a wedding of place, people, horses and special details
We are people people.
We love our clients and if you read these blogs, know us, hang out with us with any regularity, have hired us, then you already know this. There is NO WAY we’d be successful if we were not relational by nature.
But we also love the details and the wedding of Whitney Pegg and Preston Parsons was a perfect combination of personal details and character that reflected their personalities.
Williams Farm is a beautiful spot and gave us almost too many options and gorgeous views – ALMOST. If you can consider that much perfect landscape “a detail” – then it was one of the better ones and Whitney and Preston had dozens of perfect details.
Preston is in law enforcement and is an officer. When they asked us to integrate patrol cars and artillery into their photos, wellllllll, it was a fun challenge. We looked for and found creative ways to do this and they turned out to be some of their favorite images in addition to the classic ones we took.
Brides-to-be: TAKE NOTE. If you want an outdoor wedding – country or otherwise – these two nailed it. Check out the barn (OLD barn), the horses and the set up for both the ceremony and reception. The details around each aspect of their day were amazing and so much fun to shoot.
Both Whitney and Preston seemed nervous before the wedding and we always expect this. Once they laid eyes on the other however it was as if no one else was there and you could see that this was the moment they had been waiting for. You could see them completely relax. They even told us afterward that this moment was one of their favorites of the ceremony and day.
Whitney told us that she had “a photo to go with every aspect of the wedding” that they’d asked for and said “and you even did last minute shots” that they wanted to add.
They’ve requested more photos of them in the future and we can’t wait!
Wanna see their engagement photos? Have a look!
8 month old’s studio baby portraits + a little “dress up”
We photographed Madelyn’s (well, Maddie’s) newborn portraits earlier this year and somehow she’s managed to get cuter, her expressions more animated, her eyes more blue and her parents, Valerie and Jason, more delighted. In fact, they should probably just keep us on retainer.
Her newborn session was a complete joy, because she’s just so perfect. I say that knowing the bias is evident, so full disclosure: this little lamb is my second cousin.
Her mouth is almost always open, either in the biggest smile or because she’s chattering away. I foresee a lucrative contract in her future …. and most likely with an opera company or any advertiser looking for a child who expresses a constant, persistent joy.
Her eyes are unbelievable and we’ve dubbed them the McGuire eyes. Those big blues are hereditary. Her dad and granddad, my own dad and I ALL have them. Suffice it to say that photographing her is an exercise in seeing how many photos are NOT close ups. And those cheeks! Those cheeks power that smiling and laughing mouth.
Of course, we get tapped to photograph our own friends and family, but we would consider it a pleasure to photograph yours. For those of you new to our blog, please know that we love to photograph newborn babies, infants, toddlers, teens, families, seasonal portraits, newly engaged couples, weddings, bridals – you get the idea. We have an indoor portrait studio, an outdoor portrait garden and a variety of places, props and ideas to share. Please see our work and give us a call. We would love to create heirlooms for your family.
a late summer wedding that captures the setting, the details and the romance
Any wedding planner, wedding photographer, wedding magazine editor or veteran wedding attendee has a list of elements they feel make a wedding sublime. The invitations, the setting, the music, the food, the personal touches and now the many ways to share the day via social media. We love the details as far as the ceremony and reception go (we love seeing how each couple “brands” themselves on their big day), but way more importantly, it’s the couple. It’s always the couple and everyone who loves them and surrounds them with that love. The Bare-Rash wedding was one of those perfect weddings and we do not say that lightly. From the personal to the paid-for, everything was just right from beginning to end.
Pre-ceremony hugs and prayers.
Micala Bare and Tyler Rash got married this August at Bethany Church in Todd, NC and held their reception at Doughton Hall Bed & Breakfast in Laurel Springs, NC. The setting was simply amazing, complete with an historic stone church, quaint red barn and miles of green in a landscape of rolling hills and mountains.
(YAY, North Carolina landscapes. For the millionth time – you ROCK!!)
I spoke of “the elements” that make a wedding successful…. we photographers cherish light and the weather was the headliner, just behind the bride, groom and setting. From first thing in the morning until late in the evening, the lighting was our friend. Both inside and out, everyone shined.
Men who wear argyle together, stick together.
These two shared what is now being called a “First Touch” before the ceremony. We do everything we can to orchestrate these moments so that they’re private, unobtrusive and romantic. The couple don’t lay eyes on each other during this time, but can touch, speak to each other, exchange letters and just be near each other before really meeting when the bride first walks down the aisle.
“We cried when the wedding was about to begin and we knew we were about to see each other for the first time.”
The best moment of their wedding ceremony?
“When we were finally able to kiss each other and when we were pronounced as Mr. and Mrs. Tyler Rash!”
We took Micala and Tyler’s engagement photos in June and this pair continues to get more and more romantic. [Check out how they got engaged…. particularly romantic. The groom-to-be played the guitar. Just saying….]
Three favorite things they want to remember about the day:
“The moment we exchanged our letters with each other and what each of our letters said.”
“The moment when we realized that the groom’s wedding band had been forgotten and a member of our wedding party had to crawl on her hands and knees for a replacement, which happened to be the bride’s great grandpa’s ring.”
“When everyone left the reception and we finally got to go up to our room for the first time, where we had a bottle of champagne and a cheese and fruit tray waiting for us.”
The reception was a blast. Even with a little bit of rain, everyone danced, played games, and partied! Micala: “When asked about the reception, we almost always mention when the DJ asked everyone to form the huge line and all of the guests joined in to dance around the reception area.”
Micala & Tyler wanted their wedding reception under the stars. And this again called for perfect lighting and it was there. Receptions with tents are elegant, but being out of cover was more festive and more beautiful than we could have hoped for.
“I Do.” “Me, too.” Forever.
pixels 10th anniversary ~ an accomplishment celebrated with gratitude, a big party, reflection & magic
Being married AND being in business together is hard work. It’s a balance of being a wife and husband and being bosses. Trying to maintain a household and a relationship while growing a business adds an enormous amount of pressure and stress. Because of this, we felt that 10 years was an even bigger accomplishment than most and we wanted to celebrate. – Misty
Ryan & Misty Case – Owners of Pixels on Paper
Ryan was always artistic as a kid. The problem was the he was artistic on the walls and mom didn’t like that so much. He spent a lot of time in time-out.
Misty manages to dance between creative and chaotic fun and precise technical skill. It shows up in her pictures. Crazy, chaotic fun during a photo shoot is perfectly framed, perfectly lit, and beautifully captured.
The secret to a magical marriage is not to merge with the other person and become one. It is about each member of the marriage learning to honor, respect, and embrace the differences of the other. There is strength in those individual differences that allows a couple to see and experience things better than either individual alone. Ryan and Misty understand that in their own marriage and it is particularly evident when they photograph an event together. Each brings a unique perspective to their photography and when their perspectives are combined, ordinary events become magical and magical events become memories that last a lifetime.
– Ryan’s brother Scot
Misty and Ryan are salt of the earth kind of people. They are honest, caring, witty, and have become like family to us. Misty has inspired me to become a better version of myself through her friendship.
– friend and client, Rachel
Before the party began, our friends Stephanie & Brad Huxter prayed with us. They prayed for our marriage, for the past 10 years, for our clients and even for those clients we haven’t met yet. They prayed strength, creativity and for grace for the next 10 years as Pixels. It all happened outside on the studio property and was the BEST way to begin the evening. – Misty
Prayers for the past 10 years, the big day ahead, our family, our clients, and the next 10.
There was such build up to the event for months before and loads of work went into the preparations. From doing house projects, fire pit stone work, sunflower garden planting, yard work, general sprucing up, to working with the vendors on all the big and little details, …. then the day of was such a good time. We have always heard brides and grooms say that they don’t remember all of the little details of the day, and that we captured things they never saw. Well Mike Anderson did that exact thing for us.
– Ryan
Ryan and I didn’t even see the food on display much less get to eat it. The caterers brought us plates of food after they had packed everything away but after a bite or two we would be distracted by being with our guests. We still talk about the disbelief that it even happened. One day the entire property looked like a carnival and in less than 24 hours there wasn’t a trace that it was ever there.
– Misty
I loved seeing and hearing 30+ kids playing together or being entertained at the kids tent. That brought the biggest smile to my face and even now brings tears because of the tremendous blessing it is to watch them grow. Having so many families together in one place at one time was/is inspiring. I wish I could have given every guest the amount of time and attention that they fully deserved and that I could have personally told each one thank you for making my dream a reality, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life and for being a part of mine, thank you for allowing me to preserve your memories.
– Misty
I feel that through all the weddings, portraits and designs we have been a part of over the last 10 years, that we have made more than just clients, we have made lasting friendships. We love to see them grow as well, both as families and as individuals. We have been fortunate enough to celebrate good times with them, as well as a few really hard times, and have built memories to last lifetime.
– Ryan
It was such a pleasure working Ryan and Misty on this event as the planner and as their friend. As business owners it is inspiring to see their inspiration and innovation for their work with clients and vendors alike. I don’t think any vendor who knows and was a part of this event did not leave inspired to do something new/different with their own business. Their studio is like no other and is the reason they have the amount of continued business….from senior portraits to weddings to first born sessions. The repeat business speaks volumes of this husband and wife team!
– vendor, client and friend, CeCe
What a well designed, well executed party. The love that went into ensuring every detail was perfect made the evening flawless. The entertainment was great, atmosphere was comfortable, and the dance floor was awesome. It is sometimes hard to attend a party when you only know the hosts, but that was not the case. Everyone we met was friendly and engaging and I expect nothing else from the circle that surrounds Misty and Ryan.
– friend and client, Rachel
We so appreciated having family come in from Pennsylvania, Raleigh and Charlotte to help us celebrate meant a lot. It was awesome to see them interacting with our clients and have them understand why we have been as successful as we have from someone other than us.
-Ryan
The days after the party were almost depressing. After such a build up and such excitement, when the tents were down and gone, the dance floor was taken up and the yard was empty it was sad. It truly seemed like a dream since there was little evidence that anything happened (other than being sore from dancing and having such a good time). But the comments from those that were able to make it only makes me want to do it again at our 11 year anniversary.
– Ryan
Watching the magician perform …. there was disbelief, head shaking, surprise and laughter.
We are more than just a photography and design studio. We are creative and caring people, and we pour ourselves into what we do and give our all to make our clients’ memories special. – Ryan
This business is about sharing the blessings that God has given us. Opening our home and hearts and honoring the talents and opportunities that God has granted us. We hope our clients realize that they are precious and beautiful and loved. – Misty
Click here to see more photos from the day, where you may view and download.
Special thanks go to those who served our guests and us at this party. We could not love and appreciate you more!
Event Coordination & Design: CeCe Hampton Events
Invitations: Stephanie Huxter
Floral Deisgn: Lily Bee’s Floral
DJ: Gordon Hensley, Digital DJs
Face Painting: Fun & Creative Expressions
Magician: Jay Spry, Spry Guy Magic
Deserts: Indulge Bakery
Produce, Meats, & Cheese: New Appalachia
Appetizers: Jared Yelton, Boondocks Brewing Tap Room & RestaurantBeer , Wine & Bar tending: Kirk Irish & Boondocks Brewing
Catering: Reids Catering
Rentals: A&J Rentals
Linens: Party Reflections
newborn portraits, siblings in the orchard, warmth and kid pictures
In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. – Albert Camus
There’s something about this little lamb in that hat. She could be a newborn arrival during a winter in Newfoundland, all cozy indoors, but soon to be ready for her first pair of snowshoes and later for her first real spring. She sort of embodies that phrase “long winter’s nap” and we loved scooping her up from pose to pose as she dreamed spring dreams (maybe).
The pink bonnet worn above, by the way, has been handed down over 3 generations in her family and was one of the special touches they brought with them to the session.
This little ones siblings are showcased in what looks like a spring dream – our favorite orchard – the first of April. Only a week before their little sister was born, we took these portraits of them. The family owns tons of gorgeous antique pieces of furniture and we incorporated several into the photographs of the kids. These two are so bright-eyed and photogenic; working with them was too fun.
Two weeks after the orchard session, they all returned to our studio and seeing the three of them together was truly special. They were so calm and gentle with their new sister. We can only imagine the adventures this trio is going to have in the years to come. At Pixels, we use the word gratitude often and that is not an accident. New lives, expanded families, the beginnings of marriages, milestone occasions waltz into our lives and studio every week and we are overcome with gratitude. Grateful we get a glimpse into the lives and joys of others and that we’ve been tapped to document those moments. It is an absolute blessing in so many ways.