Posts Tagged: children outdoor portraits

Siblings in Photography

Pixels On Paper Photographers Wilkesboro NC Anderson Family Outdoor Fall Portrait Photography Photo

It’s been said that a sibling is the only enemy you cannot live without. I’d like to think that I would use the case-by-case method instead of thinking that this is true across the board.

While musing recently about a possible influx of babies due to being quarantined in 2020, I reviewed so many images of children, of kids being kids, of the demure, the knuckleheads tamping down their laughter while I was shooting images, and of little cherubs (sorta) …. brothers and sisters, friends, conspirators, frenemies, … siblings.

Marion one year old portrait photography photo

A favorite line about siblings someone recently shared with me: They are children of the same parents, each of whom is perfectly normal until they get together. I love this and it prompted me to find other summaries and observations about siblings.

Pixels On Paper Photographers Bynum Family Christmas 2019 Photo

”The advantage of growing up with siblings is that you become very good at fractions.” – Robert Brault

“Half the time when brothers wrestle, it’s just an excuse to hug each other.” – James Patterson

“They say that no matter how old you become, when you are with your siblings, you revert back to childhood.” – Karen White

“A sibling is the lens through which you see your childhood.” – Ann Hood

“To the outside world, we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were, we know each other’s hearts, we share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys.” – Clara Ortega

I would like to add (as an only child) that cousins deserve to be included in this mix too. Those relationships that build and shape us are just the best.
Take the opportunity to have those relationships photographed.


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 newborns and families, 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.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States LicenseAll photos are ©2020 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.

Newborn & Baby Portraits | We’re Still Taking Them

Brock's 12 month baby photography, pixels on paper studio family portrait photography photo

We love taking photos of kids, babies and especially newborns, but due to the pandemic, we’ve been making adjustments. One of them is NOT to stop taking photos of kids. We’re keen to mark the big milestones of childhood, including newborns, 1st birthday cake smashes, and new siblings added to existing kiddos.

The difference is that for now – with great weather and restrictions that make us concerned and more responsible than ever – we’re taking advantage of our outdoor portrait garden. If you are interested in family portraits, whether they are of children or of your entire clan, we have the spot and we can meet you at a park, on the parkway or another outdoor venue. Below are some favorites.

Do you have an idea for an outdoor portrait session with your children or a milestone to celebrate? Contact us.

pixels on paper photography, portrait photography, family portrait photography, photo studio, outdoor portrait photography, photo

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 newborns and families, 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.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States LicenseAll photos are ©2020 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.

2019 highlights

newborn baby boy Rylie wilkesboro nc portrait studio pixels on paper photographers photo

If this is our 2019 Year in Review, then little Riley above has perfectly summed up how we felt at the end of the year. Contented and tired! We did it! I wanted to share the visual breadth and depth of what our year looked like, but that would be volumes… volumes of images, stories, back-stories, comedy segments, prayers and all of the rewards that come with this gig. It’s a full life.

So instead: enjoy some of the highlights. There are plenty more, but here’s a sampling of people and places we had in our lens last year!

Above: on the commercial side – we took headshots for Krusch Divorce Resolution – a wonderful firm out of Charlotte. The cozy plaid, attic bedroom was captured to promote a real estate project from Kathryn Lily of Kathryn Lily Interiors in Cornelius.

Below: Spring in the orchard, included prom portraits, the Overby family’s return to the orchard, baby Ava checking herself out in a mirror, the expecting Orozco family of 3 about-to-be-4, and finally little Miss Paisley in a fabulous tulle skirt. The blooms and trees provided the backdrop, but the people made the experience and results perfect.

Late spring, early summer is the mix we always hope it will be.
Below: senior portraits (gorgeous McKenzie on the left), several delicious babies, kids and pets, some commercial work for the Wilkesboro Town Council and, of course, Merlefest!!

Above: more commercial photo sessions for MBI Builders, Wilkes Community College’s new Culinary Building, architectural exteriors and real estate projects, the chef and owner of the elegant Craft Bistro in West Jefferson, and a special trip to the Touch-a-Truck event.

Below: more prom images of high school besties dressed “to the nines,” and the full-on summer portraits of families with new babies, those expecting babies, family reunions at mountain homes, and a couple getting married at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh.

And finally, a round-up of faces we’ve known and watch grow for years, some very, very new faces, a celebration of high school and college grads and a destination wedding at The Biltmore Estate.

It seems fitting to start and end with babies. They are our symbols of hope, our reminder that life keeps moving no matter what and, let’s face it, they are cute as heck. Again, we want to thank the families and businesses we worked with last year. What a blast and a privilege and your commitment to working with professional does not go unnoticed. We’re looking forward to seeing all the highlights that 2020 is going to bring.


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 weddingsbrides, 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.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License

All photos are ©2018 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.

Finley turned two

And just like that, ….. he was headed for college.

Good Lord, can you imagine? Me sitting here typing through tears!! Wash that image away. Finley is two and THAT went by in a flash of sorts. More hair – red and curly and wild like the little scamp who sports it. More activities and racing around and more kiddie power tools. This boy is full on living his best life. Happy Birthday, Sweet Finley.

We’ve had a ritual these last couple of years that we loved continuing: we bring treats to the staff at North Wilkesboro Wake Forest Medical Center where Finley was born. They were indispensable to say the least in bringing him into this world, and we love hugging their necks and letting them see how big our boy has grown.

Finley has received an assortment of tools and he is keen to use them every chance he gets. For his birthday, he made use of his chainsaw in between helping with the baking. We spent the days around his birthday making memories, spending time with him and our families and letting him celebrate as only a two year old can.

And of course, Ryan’s parents and mine joined us for group portraits in our studio. Parents of young kids: we don’t just preach it, we live it. Get professional portraits of your clan every year. Not only is it a way to make and capture memories, but you can celebrate those relationships in more casual settings. Our Day in the Life style sessions are popular for this reason and will be a big focus for us in 2020. I promise you will not regret making annual photo sessions a tradition.

I cannot thank Joy Davis enough for capturing even more photos for us so that we could not only be in them and fully present, but enjoy Finley on his birthday. All of the images that follow are copyright Joy Davis Photography.

We love this boy and are already throwing ourselves into 2020 and his next trip around the sun – OUR trip around the sun as a family. So let’s do this!! Do you have a milestone or celebration to capture? Is there a season you love as a family or a special place you go as a couple or a family where a documentary style photo session would be perfect? Contact us and let’s discuss making it happen this year!


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 weddingsbrides, 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.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License

All photos are ©2018 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.

2 Year Old Gavin’s Day of Photos

We have been photographing this little shaver since the beginning and now he’s two. TWO! And he’s all boy. Gavin Mendieta loves playing outside, tramping around in the woods, getting his hands dirty in nature and getting massive love-ups from his puppy. For photo session number three with this kid, Ryan shot images in – naturally – the great outdoors.

That dog smooch made me laugh out loud when going through the files Ryan brought home. I feel like their heads are exactly the same size. Gavin is NOT afraid of kisses from the right friend.

pixels on paper photographers two year old boy outdoor portrait photo

We love providing clients with a mixture of portraits that are more staged and posed with real Day in the Life sessions, and with this family we were able to do both. These images were taken in Gavin’s very own backyard and nature habitat in Gastonia, NC and I love seeing children captured perfectly in an environment they know, showing their personalities and tendencies. It’s the third time we’ve photographed him in the great outdoors. 

pixels on paper photographers two year old boy outdoor portrait photo

Check out our first session with Gavin at 6-months and his first birthday cake smash.

pixels on paper photographers two year old boy outdoor portrait photo

Gavin: When you no longer need assistance climbing trees and fording streams, we hope we’re there. For now, enjoy your third trip around the sun knowing how loved you are!


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 weddingsbrides, 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.

88x31 lucy & glens valle crucis wedding photography | pixels on paper boone wedding photographers

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States LicenseAll photos are ©2019 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.