Posts in Category: Portraits

Sydney and Cherokee’s prom

Sydney Chambers and Cherokee Church (tell me those aren’t the names of heroines in a really great novel!) have been besties for more than 12 years. I’ve literally watched the two of  them grow up from babies. These days, they are juniors at West Wilkes High School and a few weeks ago we photographed their prom portraits in our outdoor portrait garden at our studio in Wilkesboro.

Pixels On Paper Photography Chambers prom portrait photography photoPixels On Paper Photography Chambers prom portrait photography photoPixels On Paper Photography Chambers prom portrait photography photoPixels On Paper Photography Chambers prom portrait photography photoPixels On Paper Photography Chambers prom portrait photography photoPixels On Paper Photography Chambers prom portrait photography photoWatching these two grow up has been such a blessing and pleasure and gives me hope for the future, honestly. They are beautiful young women – inside and out and here at the beach – and are two of my favorite portrait subjects. I love you ladies to bits!! Pixels On Paper Photography Chambers prom portrait photography photoPixels On Paper Photography Chambers prom portrait photography photoPixels On Paper Photography Chambers prom portrait photography photo
See more prom photos!


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

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

The Parker Family’s Day in the Orchard

Recently, we blogged about a newly engaged couple – Courtney and Cody. They were engaged in this very orchard and on the very same day that we shot photos of the now bride-to-be’s family. The Parkers were all part of the “engagement plan” that allowed Cody to get down on one knee while Courtney was distracted.
This family not only cheered when she said yes, they wanted us to get photos of them as well. It was a gorgeous day, the right occasion and the perfect setting. I love it when a plan comes together!

Parker Family Pixels On Paper Photography portrait photography photoParker Family Pixels On Paper Photography portrait photography photoParker Family Pixels On Paper Photography portrait photography photo

The Parkers already planned to have us photograph their family portraits in the Tevepaugh peach orchard, and Courtney believed that was why they were all present. After Cody popped the question and got a YES, we were also able to celebrate and get the groom-to-be and family portraits as well. Mom Kim especially wanted to carpe diem because all of the lives of her kids are going in different directions. [Aside: You guys know how this story goes… and it’s why family portraits – from first birthdays to reunions decades later – matter so much.] With Courtney’s engagement, they are gaining another son in Cody; they have a son who is away at college, and the youngest daughter just turned 16 and is now driving and will be the next out of the house. What better time to capture everyone together!Parker Family Pixels On Paper Photography portrait photography photoParker Family Pixels On Paper Photography portrait photography photoWe will have the pleasure of being Courtney and Cody’s wedding photographers in the fall when they tie the knot and we’re already so excited. Between the planning and anticipation, we’re encouraging these two to take time to enjoy all the elements of this chapter of their lives. Courtney is going to be a beautiful bride and these photos below are the proof. Parker Family Pixels On Paper Photography portrait photography photoParker Family Pixels On Paper Photography portrait photography photoMom is happy to have recent portraits of her other two kids as well and we were happy to oblige. It doesn’t hurt that this is a very photogenic family.Parker Family Pixels On Paper Photography portrait photography photoParker Family Pixels On Paper Photography portrait photography photoParker Family Pixels On Paper Photography portrait photography photoParker Family Pixels On Paper Photography portrait photography photoParker Family Pixels On Paper Photography 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, 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

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

8 Photographer Tips: What to Wear for Portraits

More from our mini-series of expert advice, and by the way, for those of you with score cards at home,… we don’t run around referring to ourselves as experts. We try to live humble lives where we work hard to be good at what we do. We just happen to have done this for so long, we know “some stuff.”

So today, I’m giving the 8 key pieces of info about what to wear to a professional portrait session. When it comes to what to wear for portraits, pretty much anything goes. But we know lots of Moms and teenagers stress when it comes to planning what to wear when in front of the camera.

1. Don’t be afraid to wear color. Colors in outdoor portraits that coordinate with the season look better than a wardrobe of black and white.
Arnold family outdoor spring peach orchard photos by Pixels On Paper Portrait Photographers photoThe Arnold family dressed perfectly during their spring, orchard portrait session. And the Church family’s autumn session is coordinated perfectly too.

pixels on paper, portrait photography, family portrait photography, outdoor portrait photography, family portraits, wilkesboro, north carolina, photo

 2. For adults, stick with wearing solids rather than prints. Leave prints, stripes and florals for young kids.
Pixels on Paper Photography outdoor portrait garden photo
 3. Not everyone needs to wear the same color. Write that down! Hee!
Complimentary colors and shades work great especially for large families.

4. Wearing black or white along with khaki or denim are best in studio portraits or outdoors if you want a classic, traditional and timeless look.
Keeping it neutral allows personalities to shine through.
Allen Outdoor Family Portrait PhotographySticking with the white, here is sweet Sawyer in his 6 month portrait session.

5. Shoes can most often date a photo more than any other piece of wardrobe. If the weather and surroundings lend itself, considering going with bare feet or stick with classic solid leather styles for adults and children. Children’s tootsies are so delicious (Ryan and I routinely munch on Finley’s….. his are just right for snackin’), if they can be outdoors and shoe-free, do it!
pixels on paper charlotte nc outdoor family portrait photographers photo

6. Women, don’t forget accessories such as scarves or fashion jewelry. These items work great to tie in your color choices.

Parker Outdoor Family Portrait Photography

Allen Outdoor Family Portrait Photography photo

7. We prefer to have a consult to discuss your portraits prior to when they occur. We can help you coordinate your wardrobe taking into consideration where the photos will take place as well as where you will be hanging portraits in your home. Don’t hesitate to lay out your clothing options all together and send us a cell phone photo. We will help approve or make suggestions!

8. We also have a helpful “What to wear” Pinterest board for inspiration. Bear these in mind and you’ll look brilliant!


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

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

arnold family maternity portraits ~ a surprise gift

The Arnold family is special and so is the impulse behind this photo session. We had the pleasure of photographing Meghan and Jeremy’s wedding and capturing the first photos of their daughter Berklee as a newborn and 6 month old. Our newest session with this family was in February of this year and was engineered on the down low by husband Jeremy. Wife and mom, Meghan is due with their second child, a little boy they plan to name Wyatt and Jeremy decided that he wanted to surprise Meghan with the maternity photo session as a Christmas gift.

Arnold family outdoor maternity photos by Pixels On Paper Wilkesboro NC Portrait Photographers photoArnold family outdoor maternity photos by Pixels On Paper Wilkesboro NC Portrait Photographers photo

[Note to husbands: Mother’s Day is coming – May 13th. So if your mom needs family photos or your pregnant wife would love some maternity photos – you have time to get in touch with us to schedule a session.
Note to wives: I know you know how to drop a hint. Enough said.]
Anyway, Jeremy contacted me in October to begin planning. We collaborated on everything and it was a lot of fun. Jeremy purchased both Meghan and Berklee’s beautiful outfits after sending me lots of web links with ideas. He wanted to make sure they would look perfect for photos. He then wrapped them up for Christmas. The session was so much fun and the results are spectacular. Perfect colors and venue and Jeremy’s ladies looked gorgeous.

Arnold family outdoor maternity photos by Pixels On Paper Wilkesboro NC Portrait Photographers photoArnold family outdoor maternity photos by Pixels On Paper Wilkesboro NC Portrait Photographers photo

I’ve gotta insert a flashback here. We sort of recreated a moment we captured in an orchard photo session from a couple of years ago. I love seeing Berklee’s little hands touching Meghan’s belly in between her parents. It’s perfectly reminiscent of her seated between them when she was just about a year old.
Arnold family outdoor spring peach orchard photos by Pixels On Paper Portrait Photographers photos

As we approached the holidays, Meghan wanted to schedule fall family photos and of course Jeremy and I had already begun the planning, so we had to come up with a variety of delaying tactics to keep her at bay. I’m so glad it worked.

Arnold family outdoor maternity photos by Pixels On Paper Wilkesboro NC Portrait Photographers photoArnold family outdoor maternity photos by Pixels On Paper Wilkesboro NC Portrait Photographers photo

As they prepare for the newest Arnold to show up, he was included in the shoot – beyond Meghan’s belly. The baseball with Wyatt’s name was one of Jeremy’s while he played baseball for UNC Chapel Hill. We look forward to meeting this little man and seeing his resemblance to his sister and parents and what parts of his personality shine.Arnold family outdoor maternity photos by Pixels On Paper Wilkesboro NC Portrait Photographers photoArnold family outdoor maternity photos by Pixels On Paper Wilkesboro NC Portrait Photographers photo

It’s hard not to include another photo from the orchard where we tied the two sessions together. Although Berklee is bigger, she can still be tossed in the air and loves it! I saw the same sweet smiles and same crazy joy on their faces.

Arnold family outdoor spring peach orchard photos by Pixels On Paper Portrait Photographers photo

We just LOVE having them as clients and cannot wait to meet new addition Wyatt. We feel confident that Berklee is going to be a wonderful big sister. Thanks, Arnold family! See you soon, we hope, with member number four.

Arnold family outdoor maternity photos by Pixels On Paper Wilkesboro NC Portrait Photographers 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, 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

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

Sharing is Caring – The win-win of client referrals & community

Ever heard that phrase? Well sharing really is caring when it comes to our clients and the reciprocal love fest that happens when they tell others about us. Lately, we’ve been musing about how much our clients stick with us over the years. In fact – true, loyal friendships have developed and we consider more than two handfuls of our clients to be family now. It’s a real perk of this gig: doing life with you guys.

Celebrating Pixels’ 10th Anniversary with clients (ie our friends and family)

photo by Michael A. Anderson Photography

In an effort to spread some of that love around, we’re introducing a referral program to reward those who share our name with others, allowing us to continue growing our business and our community of family.
So, if you are an existing client, listen up – (please and thank you):

  • Any existing client of Pixels (you’ve hired us for a wedding or portrait session of one type or another) who refers us to someone who then books us for a wedding, will receive their own FREE portrait session PLUS $250 in print credits from us.

Schultz Crestwood Resort Blowing Rock NC High Country Wedding

AND, ALSO:

  • Any existing client of Pixels who refers us to someone who then books us for a portrait session, will receive their own FREE portrait session that year PLUS $50 in print credits from us. For every additional referral they send us, they will receive yet another $50 print credit. The more you send others who book with us, the more rewards we’re happy to lavish on you.

Sawyer Sherill Newborn Photography by Pixels On Paper Portrait Photography photoPortraits, for us, come in all types, just like our subjects come in all shapes and sizes. Newborns, first birthdays, families and family reunions, milestones, graduations, and of course bridals and engagements.

  • KEY NOTES: We want our existing clients to make sure to tell the folks they are referring to us to MENTION THE REFERRING CLIENT’S NAME, so that they get the rewards they deserve. If someone books a wedding or portrait and doesn’t mention that they heard about us from you, how will we be able to shower you with some love?
  • This program offer EXCLUDES limited edition and promo session referrals. Contact us if you have questions!

If you have friends, family, coworkers or neighbors who are about to embark on a milestone or celebration, we hope you’ll tell them about us. And when you do!!!!!!….. you will be rewarded. Thanks all!!


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

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