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engagement photos for a couple heading into their second (destined) marriage
What once was lost, now is found.
Andy wasn’t lost, but finding Amber was akin to finding his other half. We know – it’s a cliché, but it’s true. People who belong together become family almost immediately and family is like that. We drag each other to the center, we raise each other’s game and we find ourselves wanting to be our best selves when we’re with the loves of our lives.
Their story is very near and dear to us, as Andy is actually a member of our family (first cousin). We photographed them in a casual mountain setting just down the road from where we cousins played growing up. Talk about a labor of pure love.
This is a second marriage for these two. After their first marriages ended, they were introduced and found that they were perfect for each other, ready for a new chapter and wanted to head into it arm and arm….. and arm! Andy has a daughter, Ashlyn, who loves her step-mom-to-be and Amber treats her soon-to-be stepdaughter like her own child. It’s beautiful to see and important to celebrate, we think. Sometimes first marriages don’t end the way that we want, but second marriages are a rebirth and a sign that hope not only exists, it triumphs. These two are proof of that. We loved that Ashlyn wanted to be a part of the photo session and is such an important piece, and focus, of their newly joined lives. She’s already benefitting from their union.
We photographed Andy and Amber’s wedding on August 1st and it was beautiful. You’ll see the results soon! Meanwhile, are you getting REmarried or know someone who is? Contact us! Love prevails, people, in all of its forms!
Basket of joy – brock rollins – newborn and 6 month photos with the family!
Becky and Jackson Rollins were wedding clients of ours and we took their newborn son, Brock’s first professional portraits, so when it was time for his 6 month portraits session, the family – including their beloved Weimaraner, Shelby, made the trip from SC to our indoor and outdoor studios in Wilkesboro, NC. It’s always so interesting (and entertaining) to see how infants have changed in only a few months and baby Brock was no exception. Maybe it’s the bow tie, hard to say really, but he looked like a little man compared to teeny creature we first met in late 2014. The child on the left looks like he’s hanging on for dear life until his next nap and the boy on the right looks like the maitre d at one of Brooklyn’s finest Italian restaurants. “For you – the cannoli are on the house!”
Becky, like several of our client moms, always brings great outfits for Brock and at this session, the little dude was dapper. In fact the whole family was coordinated and they are such a handsome group, photographing them was the best. Brock was animated, the dog stood still, the weather was perfect and the laughter was constant.
The Rollins’ also love black and white photos, and display them prominently throughout their home, so we take time to make sure that there are images that translate well to black and white for them. We’re thrilled that our portraits are not just given away and stored in albums but prominently hung.
We’re looking forward to seeing this family again soon, with their pup in tow!
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.
11 years feels about right – let’s get married!*
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness, and let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another, but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
On Marriage, by Kahil Gibran
*So you knew there had to be more….
Sarah Crisp and Danny Clampett have been together for 11 years and engaged for most of that. They are in love and committed, but never felt driven to stress themselves with planning a wedding. Instead, they focused on each other and let their love be that moving sea between them. And, more practically, planning a wedding is for wedding planners and those who really want to do it and have the time and inclination to put all of the pieces together.
Sarah and Danny are not any of these types. They just wanted to live their lives. They would begin to plan and then life’s other priorities would sneak in and hijack the momentum. But once they decided to dive in and really do it (after a decade) – it happened within months. It tumbled out!
Even though Sarah is a girlie girl (one of 4 girls in her family), she made Danny – a country boy – feel at home in a more rustic environment for their engagement portraits. We photographed them in Davidson, NC and they were, ARE, just a truly beautiful pair.
Stay tuned for their wedding pics!!
the Spillman wedding at tanglewood park creates an epic southern event ~ hats and all
Dear Wedding Guest: We decided to buy a house.
So, we’re taking our big wedding plans and making some changes.
Thanks for understanding, for being present and for loving us. 
This is how it went down and this couple is nimble to say the least.
Elisabeth Bolick & Isaac Spillman were planning on a 2016 wedding. Elisabeth was a bride-to-be we met at the Wilkes Wedding Expo in March of 2015 and she was looking forward to her wedding: planning it, grabbing info, meeting vendors and extremely excited. Then just a few months later Pixels got a call. The couple found a house and were ready to invest in a home versus a big wedding. Big change of plans – and for a good reason. Now, they were talking about 50 guests, no attendants and a ceremony during the middle of the day on a Friday.
The reconfiguration of plans was seamless and the ceremony took place at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC and the reception at WinMock. The church on the Tanglewood property is rustic and old world. It was built in 1809 and is one room with open windows for a breeze, and it was perfectly decorated for them. Decorations included Southern magnolia garland branches from the Spillman’s new house property. 
Even though they changed the ceremony, Elisabeth and Isaac are self-described “big softies,” and they paid attention to the little details. Lady guests were invited to wear Derby hats. Elisabeth’s shoes were a cross between Marie Antoinette and Annie Oakley and her bouquet was created from broaches, tie pins, cuff links, coins, and other important pieces that she requested from both sides of their family. She even had a sixpence in her shoe.
A change in plans can cause a change in emotions sometimes. This was not true for Elisabeth and Isaac. “Our favorite moments from the day were the special time of just us doing the post-wedding pictures before the reception, the looks on our faces as we recited our vows to one other and how much fun it was (and not stressful)”
Yes. That (above) is the Groom’s cake. Isaac loves to fish. And below – check out the Magnolia garlands.
Congrats to Elisabeth and Isaac. Much love to you both. Your wedding was magic.