Monthly Archives: July 2015

fotos de una familia amorosa que celebran su miembro más reciente (photos of a loving family celebrating their newest member) photographing newborn baby Isabelle

Spaniard Diego Velazquez painted many, many portraits in the 17th century, but Las Meninas (The Bridesmaids) may be his most famous. It’s a painting of a painting and Velazquez even painted himself painting in it. It’s smart and layered, playful and beautiful, but it’s interesting to us because it’s not a portrait of the bride – but of all the others that surround a big event. It’s about the community of family.
Pixels on Paper captures a spanish speaking family around a newborn daughter photoNow flash forward 400 years or so and Pixels gets a call from the Castillio family asking us to take photos of their precious new daughter Isabelle. You know how much we love newborn photo sessions….. the babies are so snuggly and cute (and pliable! remember we often fold them into baskets, buckets, pots, etc.), so we were ready with all of the goods in our studio to show off Isabelle’s sweetness. The Castillios place a higher value on family though, so a coterie of loving family arrived with mom Vanessa and dad Henry. In tow were big sister Jasmine, 3 grandparents and 2 uncles. Family reunion meets celebration meets new baby portrait session.
Castillo Newborn Photography, Family portrait photography by Wilkesboro NC Photographers Pixels On Paper photoCastillo Newborn Photography, Family portrait photography by Wilkesboro NC Photographers Pixels On Paper photoCastillo Newborn Photography, Family portrait photography by Wilkesboro NC Photographers Pixels On Paper photoWe so admire these cultural differences, all the while knowing that family is universal, regardless of continent, language, or century. It just seems easy to forget during our busy current lives until it spills happily into your studio. The entire time we were behind the camera, there was constant conversation (all in Spanish), laughing, smiling, and hugging . They never stopped and while we understood little, it was easy to see that they were two families brought together as one, celebrating their newest edition. Our studio was awash in their joy.
Castillo Newborn Photography, Family portrait photography by Wilkesboro NC Photographers Pixels On Paper photosCastillo Newborn Photography, Family portrait photography by Wilkesboro NC Photographers Pixels On Paper photoThere is no doubt that this little bundle will be surrounded by love every day. Her portrait session ended up including many of those who will love her and have her back for the most important moments of her life. Just look up and you can see that they all have eyes for her, are already grateful for her and making plans to celebrate, protect and cherish her. The pic of Isabelle with her big sister Jasmine snuggling her and grinning really touched us. How many stories will they share? How many late night laughs will they have? How will they lift each other up, store the others secrets and make each other better?
For the millionth time, we’re grateful for the ways we get to envision and capture families and what the word family means.
Dios bendiga a las familias que rodean unos a otros con amor. (God bless families who surround each other with love.)

renewal wedding photography ~ it’s about “again” and “more” and “us” ~ photographing the next chapter of a marriage

20 years ago, Kelly and Chris Shumate became a couple. They eventually created a new life as husband and wife: Kelly started a new business – Bridal Traditions – and they lived happily ever after.

And scene.

Actually, there’s more. 20 years more and they did live happily, but as their wedding anniversary approached, Kelly decided that she wanted the photos that they never had when they first tied the knot. She contacted us to take them, since she now wanted the more artistic style that wasn’t an option on their wedding day. We were happy to help them commemorate and really celebrate. And Kelly – who’s in the bridal business – had a very specific vision.
Shumate Wedding Anniversary Bride and Groom photoPart of what made this shoot fun for us, other than the fact that they were celebrating a momentous wedding anniversary, was the theme. Kelly loves gothic architecture, the antebellum era (think: Gone With the Wind), bare landscapes and an era gone by. We chose a cemetery near the River Arts District in Asheville, NC, during winter. The results were just what she wanted: sparse, real, gothic and graphic. And we loved the juxtaposition of new and old. A renewal of their marriage and an opportunity to capture them in themed clothes and as a couple who were invested in each other for better, worse and the whole nine yards.
Shumate Wedding Anniversary Bride and Groom photoShumate Wedding Anniversary Bride and Groom photoOk – so some notes. How do you like the dress? This is the gown that Kelly was married in originally. It still fits.
IT. STILL. FITS. In fact it was actually too big and had to be altered smaller. (no jealousy……… well maybe some)
Another fun fact: this gown is the first one she bought for her bridal shop, which is pretty auspicious.
Kelly was also specific about setting, which is why this cemetery worked so well for the shoot. In the bareness of winter in the cemetery, she and Chris stand out like a couple of players from a Civil War play or Ken Burns’ mini series. She – Scarlett O’Hara or Melanie Wilkes – and he Captain Rhett Butler or Ashley Wilkes.
They truly look their parts. He comes home from war (brother against brother, people!!! lest we forget) and there she is, after waiting, praying and keeping the farm afloat despite major setbacks. You can almost see the letters from Corinth, MS:
“My dearest Kelly Emeline,
The war does not go well. I can scarcely remember the curves of your lovely visage….”

Pardon the digression, but seriously – look at them and watch this slideshow of their portraits.

Shumate Wedding Anniversary Bride and Groom photo Shumate Wedding Anniversary Bride and Groom photoThis photo shoot was literally a year in the making. It took a little time to plan, but it mostly took will and faith and perseverance. As all marriages do, the Shumate’s union was ebbing when Kelly contacted us. They were struggling as a couple, wondering about the future, trying to understand what to keep in their relationship and what to jettison and whether or not the “us” in them was still alive. Digging deeply, they moved forward, but 99.9% of the success in their marriage was their faith in God. They knew marriage was hard, but giving up was not something either of them was interested in. So this photo shoot was about WAY more than grabbing pictures of great clothes in a cool setting. It was an actual celebration of making it for 20 years and looking forward, with renewed hearts, to the next 20.
And the 20 after that.
Shumate Wedding Anniversary Bride and Groom photoNot only were we thrilled to be a part of capturing this day, Pixels created a wall of photos for Kelly’s shop office. Something she could point to that says, “we did it and we’re still here.”

engagement photos + guitar + travel and a return to home land

A Play of 50 First Dates…. 
The Setting: The Glendale Springs Inn in Glendale Springs, NC
The Players: Micala Bare and Tyler Rash
The Scene: a wedding proposal from Tyler, playing a song for Micala and then asking for her hand.Rash Wedding, NC Mountains Glendale Springs Engagement Portrait PhotoTyler and Micala were having dinner at the Glendale Springs Inn with Micala’s entire family and Tyler pre-arranged for a separate room where he could pull her girl away and then sing to her – and propose. You’ll be shocked – SHOCKED – to hear that she said Yes. Of course, she did. This pair is crazy cute and completely in love and they knew from their first date.
But that was not Act 1. [harp music here]
Rash Wedding, NC Mountains Glendale Springs Engagement Portrait PhotoTheir first date was “an unsuccessful fishing trip” after a mini-introduction on Snapchat. It ended with them looking at views on the Blue Ridge Parkway and with Tyler playing his guitar for her. Micala told her mom after that first date, “I can’t think of a reason why we wouldn’t get married!” Pretty intense and pretty sure of “it.” After that, they were together constantly.
Act 2: They headed out west to Oregon to travel and get to know each other better. There’s something about traveling with no strings, no extra friends and no worries that can reveal a person to the other. This was true for Micala and Tyler.
Rash Wedding, NC Mountains Glendale Springs Engagement Portrait PhotoRash Wedding, NC Mountains Glendale Springs Engagement Portrait PhotoAct 3: They were done looking and wondering. Tyler “put a ring on it” and they set a date for fall of 2015. We asked them, “if you two were a movie, you’d be….?” Their response – 50 First Dates. This makes perfect sense, at least to us and to them. Fall in love on the first date and then hit replay again and again.
Tyler works in radio and so they find themselves at concerts and it’s one of their favorite spots to be together – listening to music, cracking up and growing closer. Rash Wedding, NC Mountains Glendale Springs Engagement Portrait PhotoMicala and Tyler hope to have a traditional ceremony, move back to Tyler’s land in Ashe County and start a family.
Rash Wedding, NC Mountains Glendale Springs Engagement Portrait Photo“We would like our families to know that we are extremely grateful for all the love and support that they have shown throughout this entire process, and special thanks for sticking by us as we upped the wedding date TWICE.”

See other engagement blogs at pixelsonpaperblog.com. Whether you’re in cowboy boots in a field or on a greenway in downtown Charlotte, we’d love to grab the shots that begin your journey together.

the many faces and personalities revealed when photographing a 6 month old

“My tastes are simple: I am easily satisfied with the best.”
-Winston Churchill

Pixels on Paper 6 month session for son Carson photo

Carson – only satisfied with the best. The best hat. The best suspenders…..

The temptation to place a thought bubble or caption for every single picture of Carson Mathis (6 months) is killing us. KILLING US. Look at him!! So, since we value life,… we’re going for it. He’s a slice of Winston Churchill, Alfred Hitchcock, Bagger Vance and James Cromwell’s character in Babe.

Mathis Family Spring outdoor portrait photography photo

Jay Gatsby meets Bagger Vance meets Carson Mathis

The great film director, Alfred Hitchcock was an obvious choice for a comparison to Carson. The cheeks. The intensity. The innate brilliance!
While little Carson cannot write or direct films, or control much of anything at the moment (like what smart and spiffy clothes his mom decides to dress him in), he’s got tons of personality. Mom Meagan chooses the hats, the clothes, the boots and shoes he styles. We invited them to our outdoor studio and had a blast with the costume changes and unexpected facial expressions. The pic above was his Easter outfit. All the attention shouldn’t go to the girls with their hats and gloves after all, right?? Below he is as our little farm hand with his Carhartt bib overalls, ball cap and John Deere tractor.

Mathis Outdoor Family Portrait Photography photo

“HEY!… lift that barge, tote that bale… it’s hard out here on the farm.”

Mathis Outdoor Family Portrait Photography photo

“I’m busy, people. And you’re making me sit here!!”

The farm outfits are a nod to Carson’s inclusion in a long line of family farmers. He’s already riding on John Deere tractors on his dad’s lap.

Mathis Family Spring outdoor portrait photography photo

“Like my boots?? My grandpa gave them to me. And that’s me flying on the right with Mommy. Check out my leg extension. It’s important to keep you core muscles strong.”

Mathis Family Spring outdoor portrait photography photo

“I look mighty, but I’m snuggly too. Just ask my folks.”

Winston Churchill said, “History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.” Now there is a legacy to chase. Being kind, making an impact, being remembered….

Pixels Family Spring outdoor portrait photography photo

“I’ve got the whole world ahead of me and my family beside me. Now, where’s my shirt?”

We look forward to seeing the Mathis’s many times over the coming years and watching their family grow and what Carson will do and become. He’s got the cute part down, the farming part is in progress and the dapper characteristics are developing as well. Who on earth will he be? And isn’t that the fun part anyway? The wondering and discovering?