Monthly Archives: September 2011

the boyle’s { family portrait }

Brittany and Brian have been friends of Pixels On Paper for quiet a while. We’ve had the opportunity to create many graphic design projects for their businesses, Gaston Rehab Associates, Inc. and the Physical Performance Center.  So we were thrilled recently when Brittany lined up a family portrait session with us while extended family members were visiting from out of town.  Brittany and Brian’s little boy Thayne is just the cutest and what better way to capture memories than to get portraits of him not only with his parents but also with his grandparents.

What truly made this session awesome and unique is that we captured traditional posed family portraits AND non-posed totally candid portraits of the whole family playing together.  The candid images are photographs that we think truly capture the heart of the family. They cause a reaction of emotion and even laughter. These are images that when Thayne is grown and has a family of his own he will look back on and remember the moments and not just the setting.  Consider this creative photography option during your next family portrait.

We are now scheduling 2011 fall portrait sessions. Be sure to contact us to schedule your session in and around Charlotte or the NC High Country. To view these and other family portraits and child portraits view the Pixels On Paper website.

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jessica’s bridal photos | outdoor wedding pictures | pixels on paper

Jessica is now married to Chris so we can finally show her awesome bridal photos to the whole world.  We photographed these in 95 degree heat and somehow she managed to look as cool as ever, even after a collision with a bench in one of our sets. Jessica asked us during our initial consult to incorporate both her and her now husband’s involvement in the racing industry as well as his love of gator blue and orange into her bridal session.  We were more than happy to oblige by finding a set of old fuel pumps in a rustic setting as well as that perfectly shaded gator blue wall. We were grateful that Jessica was so adventuresome and wanted something more than just a traditional portrait. She trusted our creativity and ability to capture light and color allowing the end results to be amazing. Let us know what you think. Our blog loves comments!

Keep watching the blog for Chris and Jessica’s wedding photos coming up soon. To view all of these and other bridal photos and outdoor wedding pictures view the Pixels On Paper website.

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august 2011 | the move

When we put our first home up for sale in December of 2010 I thought we had it all figured out. We had our sights on moving to Wilkesboro, NC and renovating an awesome live/work space where we could have an awesome studio and modern flat. Despite the horrible housing market we knew how much we wanted for our house, when was the ideal time for it to sale, how much we would have in our pockets to put down on the new place, etc, etc.  Of course being a total Type A personality I had a plan A,B,C in place. My biggest and only fear was of the house selling in June, the absolute busiest wedding month of the year, when I simply could not squeeze another hour into the day for packing on top of shooting and editing. What I could not and did not plan was how utterly emotional the whole process would become or how much it would open my eyes to the work God was doing all along the way.

Ryan and I bought our first house together on August 22, 2004. It was cute and needed work but even then the deal I thought was to good to possibly be true. I remember being a leader on a youth mission trip one late night in Pittsburgh asking the youth pastor (who happened to be the same man who married us a year earlier) if we were making a mistake. Could this possibly be what God wanted for us, did we deserve it? After he laughed at me, he reassuringly put my mind at ease.  We worked alongside family and friends for months renovating and improving and making our own mark on it. The major work continued room by room through December 2009. 7 years later there wasn’t a room or a wall that we hadn’t changed in one way or another.

What I learned is that Ryan and I made a great team. That we weren’t always going to agree on the process of getting from point A to point B. That major arguments would happen when were utterly exhausted. That laughter in the rooms we made sounded more beautiful. That I had the vision for the finished product and Ryan had the talent of a great handy-man and carpenter and could make my visions a reality. (I still think he can have a show on HGTV.) What I also learned is that all the labor and memories we made in that house made it harder to say goodbye.

Here are just a few of the major renovation before and after shots. Keep in mind we did all the work ourselves with some help from friends and family.

When the offer came through in late July with the closing date set for three short weeks later on August 19th (within 2 days of being exactly 7 years from the date we bought it) I suddenly went into a state of shock. All those well-thought plans seemed more like hazy dreams. The troops around me, mainly Ryan and my Mom, rallied to keep me on track. Once again looking back on it the deal seemed to good to be true. Now I know I was never really in control of the situation. What I had thought would be best for us wasn’t at all. What God had planned for us was so much greater.  For example, there is no other time in the entire year that we have 3 consecutive weeks with no photo jobs on the schedule! If you had an hour of free time I could bore you with the long list of items that shouldn’t have happened or worked in our favor but they did.

The following shot was taken after a long hot day of packing on the very last day in the house.  The trailer and cars were fully loaded and all that was left was for us and the animals to load up and hit the road for the 104 mile trip to the new place we would call home.

I cried and I still cry which even seems silly to me when the outcome is exactly what we wanted.  I miss the place we called home and where we made so many of our first memories. We don’t yet have a location in Wilkesboro and Ryan is still working in Charlotte. We don’t have as much time together but I know all this is only temporary. Our dreams are being fulfilled without us even knowing. Seeing it happen and now fully trusting that God has it all planned out for us makes it much easier to relax and enjoy the ride.

Now that things are somewhat settled  we are taking on the Fall photography schedule and looking forward to sharing the art that we create and the passion that drives it. Sorry for the extended break.

heather and jason | sneak peek | pixels on paper outdoor wedding pictures

OK so we’ve been MIA on the blog scene for a while due to our big move but not to worry, we’ll have more on that coming up soon. In the meantime here is just a small a sneak peek at some of the “work” and fun we were having at Jason and Heather’s wedding last weekend in Asheville at Claxton Farm.

Heather and Jason chose to have a “First Glance” and see each other before the ceremony. Although many are traditionally against it, this is one of the best things a Bride and Groom can do for themselves and their guests. Not only is it the most romantic moment for just the two of them, but it inevitably seems to calm everyone’s nerves before the hectic day that is ahead. A First Glance also allows for more time to be spent getting incredible photographs without the time-sensitivity of everyone waiting on us during the reception.  What we love most about these moments is that we capture more relaxed and joyous expressions that we’ve never been able to capture before the ceremony when the don’t see each other.

The moment when Jason first sets eyes on his Bride without being watched by 100s of wedding guests is breath taking. His reaction is genuine and instinctive without being held back. LOVE IT!

There is nothing wrong with wearing a dress and riding a Red Belly Tractor. Growing up my Grandfather had the exact same one and I’m sure I could be seen many times over doing the exact same thing this little cutie is. Another moment that made me smile.

What a perfect and beautiful end to the night. We’ll share more soon and you will be able to view all of their photos and order prints from our website at www.pixelsonpaper.biz.
In case you missed them be sure to take a glance back through Heather and Jason’s fishing trip inspired engagement pictures here.
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