Monthly Archives: November 2016
Newborn Tucker’s First Portraits | Courage, Strength & Heart
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” -Lao Tzu
Mom Shanna had the courage to endure weeks of bed rest, 6 weeks in the hospital, including being inverted to prevent going into early labor and all after losing one of the twins she was carrying in the first trimester. All because of and for this little creature.
She and her husband Ethan, (revisit their wedding photos here) were certain that they couldn’t have children after Shanna had to have surgery to remove a very large tumor from her ovaries. But then she became pregnant and a whole new series of challenges were laid at their feet. Her time, pain and trials were not without an excess show of strength, love and bravery though, and that included a village of prayer warriors, friends and people who didn’t even know the couple. I remember being astonished and heartened as social media kept everyone in the loop about her progress, health, and concerns. 
At just over 20 weeks, Shanna was admitted to the hospital and put on strict bed rest. At 27.6 weeks, on August 2, she gave birth to Tucker Clayton Matherly – a little fighter in his own right. He weighed 3 lbs. 2 oz and spent 66 days in the NICU. Thanks to the Ronald McDonald House, his mom was able to stay close during the evenings while he was in there and watch him gain strength. Tucker visited our studio with his proud parents at 12 weeks old. His first 10 were spent in the hospital.
Shanna and Ethan’s deep love for each other gave them strength, if Lao Tzu is correct, and their deep love for their unborn son gave them immense courage to make sure he made it home.
I remember thinking after Shanna had been in the hospital for 6 weeks straight that if I had been in her shoes I don’t think that I could have done it. A small sterile room, the same four walls, family and friends on the outside going on about their lives, being away from her husband and home. And then having to watch her son from the outside looking in….
But when I held Tucker during our newborn session, talked to him, looked into his sweet face and cried with Shanna over this miracle, it was perfectly clear how and why she did it. God has blessed this family and my prayer is that he will continue to bless them.
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.
Christmas Portraits from Home
I’m currently reading Roots & Sky by Christie Purifoy and before I was an eighth of the way in, I read this and knew I’d chosen well.
“As humans we roam the entire world. We even venture beyond it into space. The whole planet is ours, but the whole planet is not our home. Instead, home is the ground we measure with our own two feet. And home is the place that measures us. Home is the place that names us and the place we, in turn, name. It feeds us, body and soul, and if we are living well, we feed it too. Home is the place we cultivate with our love.”
Ryan – 1983
A couple of weeks ago, we shared some home-grown holiday portraits of Ryan and me with a new idea for 2016 Christmas. The idea is simple: rather than come to the Pixels studio for your family Christmas photos, we’ll come to you. We’ll take them in your den, living room, on your festooned front porch, on your hearth, around your tree with those you love including your pets. The best memories at Christmas are at home, right? So let’s go to yours this year to capture those memories for 2016.
Misty 1981
Misty 1978
Ryan – 1971 & 1981
Misty – 1988
The fee of $125 is due when you make your reservation and we will provide 5 digital images for families with up to 3 children. This includes the printing rights along with the option to purchase prints, cards, and gifts. Pets and additional children or family members are welcome for an additional $25. Call 336-990-0080 to reserve or email inquiries to mail@pixelsonpaper.net.
“Home is the place that measures us. Home is the place that names us and the place we, in turn, name. Home is the place we cultivate with our love.” We look forward to seeing you in your own home, in pjs, with extended family, your pets and friends, all celebrating the season, the end of a year and looking ahead to a new one. We’re here to help you coordinate, so contact us so that we can help you make arrangements and get your cards, canvases and photos ordered in time to give.
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.
Happy Wedding Anniversary to our November couples
“Love is the answer”… and there are at least 2 comic endings to that sentence, but you’ll have to look ’em up.
I love a good sonnet as much as the next person, but this month – as I highlight the anniversaries of the couples we’ve photographed – I’m returning to humor. I don’t think we can ever get enough, do you? Just sayin.
Rachel & Jeremy – 4 years on November 3rd
“Before you marry a person, you should first make them use a computer with slow Internet service to see who they really are.” – Will Ferrell
Amy & Rex – 5 years on November 5th
“Honesty is the key to a relationship. If you can fake that, you’re in.” – Richard Jeni
Jesse & Bobby – 6 years on November 6th
“Being a good husband is like being a stand-up comic. You need 10 years before you can call yourself a beginner.” – Jerry Seinfeld
Katy & Josh – 4 years on November 10th
“My best birth control now is just to leave the lights on.” – Joan Rivers
Betsy & Scott – 5 years on November 12th
“Obviously, if I was serious about having a relationship with someone long-term, the last people I would introduce him to would be my family.”- Chelsea Handler
Lindsay & Scott – 6 years on November 20th
“Love is a lot like a backache, it doesn’t show up on X-rays, but you know it’s there.” – George Burns
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.
river run farm | haley and cody’s valle crucis nc outdoor barn wedding photos | pixels on paper photography
Haley Smith & Cody Fountain were married in late September of this year at River Run Farm in Valle Crucis, NC and the setting, weather, crowd and vibe were perfect. This wedding had that feeling of “all is well” or “everything is as it should be.” Their engagement session was casual and sweet and the wedding, while more than casual, had that same feeling.
There was a beautiful juxtaposition of nature – late summer meeting early autumn – with cowboy boots, orange and green bouquets mixed with bridesmaid dresses and striped ties. It was a natural mix and it was perfect.
Gorgeous green fields and valleys meet pumpkins and mums. The setting showcased mother nature’s hand in all directions.
The sun goes down and River Run is a perfect spot for a reception. Theirs did not disappoint!
As usual, we were able to work around some amazing vendors. Here’s the short list:
The flowers were provided by The Blossom Shop; the caterer/coordinator was Gadabouts. The cakes were from Nothing Bundt Cakes and the reception music was brought to you by the DJs at Mountain Peak Sound.
We wish this couple nothing but joy and many, many years together.