1 silent auction ~ 1 horse farm ~ and 3 generations of VanMeters
Early this spring, we wrote about photographing 3 generations of one family on a single day – the Perry Family in Linville, NC. We loved celebrating with them and watching them interact with each other. Honestly, it’s fascinating (read: funny, surprising, humbling) just to see parents and babies together, forget multiple generations. But watching grandparents plus parents, plus siblings and a 3rd generation toddler is even more fascinating. It’s not as though we get a John Steinbeck novel type synopsis for every family photo shoot we do (although that would be cool). We ask questions, do our homework and show up ready to be present, inclusive and creative. This shoot was even more fun, because it was an unexpected prize. Emily VanMeter Styers (second from the left below) went to a silent auction and won our photo session! Nice, huh? And this very shot is one they all ordered enlargements of to hang in each of their houses.
Pixels would love to photograph your family – whether it’s on your property or at our studio – we have both inside and outside options by the way. Get in touch with questions and check out our other blogs.
pixels does portraits, outdoor shoots, weddings, newborns & (wait for it) LOGOS
We showcase our photography on this blog more than anything. It’s fun and we’re proud of our work and all of the relationships we get to document and those that we now have with so many of our clients. Photography gets primacy, because everyone enjoys creative pictures paired with stories that resonate. What we don’t often highlight is our flourishing graphic design business – which gets the same care and focus as our photography biz. So, we sorta buried the lead in this blog title. It’s not really just “logos” – it’s branding and it’s graphic (by definition) and it’s creative work.
BUT – the first thing most of us learn about and then remember about a brand is the logo.
As most of you know, a brand isn’t a just a logo or a tagline – it’s a business, a product, a person – so we spend quality time with each client learning about their business, their goals, their competition, their target audiences and then reviewing images that they think capture who they are and what they’re about. As with photography clients – collaboration is important, so there is back and forth, sharing, communication process where we home in on the best version. Getting close is a blast! Getting to “YES, that’s it!” from the client is even … “blast-ier.”
We love it when clients bring examples of fonts, colors and images we can use for inspiration and as jumping off points. Then the fun really begins! Sketching, playing with palettes and possibilities, even escaping to other media for a break. Ever been stuck working on something and gone to the movies? Could be a spreadsheet or a screenplay, but you need to get up and go watch something or be somewhere else. Clearing your mind with something or someone wholly unrelated to your work can suddenly make you think – “I’VE GOT IT!”? Inspiration can come from anywhere, so we also pay attention to that unexpected magic that happens.
Each client is different – and thank God for that. Otherwise, where’s the fun? And naturally each logo is different and needs a different voice, look and that little something extra. Picture the curling “come-here” pointer finger that says, “come have a look…!” That’s our goal: to execute a successful logo, but also to establish a brand and make our clients happy and ready to move forward on their dreams.
We develop the business cards, stationery and any other promotional items, make sure all designs are scalable so that they can be used across all media, and then we watch and hope and pray for the best outcomes for each business or project. Have we mentioned that we love our clients? Business development projects are some of our favorites and if you need us, we’d love to work with you! Check out Pixels for other examples of branding and commercial work.
“baby backdraft” conner joins the tevepaugh clan
He’s beat. Look at him. He fought the good fight, watched out for his brothers-in-arms, rescued those who needed to be saved and now, after some grub at the station, is racked out. He was trying to wipe down his gear when he gave up and that’s when we snapped this. There’s only so much a dude can do, you know? At some point, you just need to call it a day.
Conner Tevepaugh after a long day fighting fire
Conner Tevepaugh with fireman Daddy Casey
Conner belongs to these two below – Sierra & Casey Tevepaugh. We shot their amazingly cool wedding at Rendezvous Mountain State Park in Purlear, NC and it was memorable for so many reasons. They didn’t overdue it, weren’t overwrought about it and kept it personal and sweet. Some weddings are about hand-wringing and stress. This was NOT that wedding. They fell in love and got married. It was awesome. Simple, gorgeous, fun and surrounded by love, laughter and true celebration.
Waddell / Tevepaugh NC Rendezvous Mountain wedding
Casey is serious about his job as a volunteer firefighter. The term “die-hard” has been used to describe him and it’s right on. Incorporating the firefighting theme into newborn son Conner’s photo shoot was an easy choice. Clearly, this little creature is comfortable in that setting anyway.
The Tevepaugh family own a beautiful orchard and for generations they’ve been photographing family members among the blossoms, but also in handmade apple crates. Photos of the kids and grandkids in these hang in the orchard’s store/barn to this day. Conner’s great grandfather, Bob Walsh, crafted the wooden baby cradle seen below. Bob is a brilliant woodworker and Conner was placed in his creation for this shoot.
Conner cradled in family love
Mom Sierra and Baby Conner in repose
Fate (and poet Robert Burns) tell us that the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Conner may become a Titan of Industry and wear a suit every day. Or maybe he’ll be a first responder like his dad or farmer like his Grandfather. Either way, his family will impart a love of nature, a desire to serve others, a sense of mirth and adventure and an understanding of how to be together and go with the flow. We LOVE the Tevepaughs and will love watching their family grow.
Pixels offers a photo shoot for newborns to ALL those couples who hire us to photograph their wedding. We’re not mere shutterbugs. We love to capture your big day and, should you choose to start a family, we want to capture your baby as well. Family comes in a variety of forms, but we’re in no matter what shape it takes.
Brushy Mountain Dental ~ home, family, molars….
We found the most amazing house and put in an offer. Then we remembered that we already have an amazing house. Then we remembered that these are clients of ours who’ve we photographed for years. Check out Brushy Mountain Dental in Wilkesboro, NC.
Can you imagine working here? Well we have for various shoots and it’s a fantastic location. Brushy Mountain Dental provides a service we all take for granted (and need and may be putting off – – just saying) in one of the coolest offices we’ve ever seen. They’ve built a business with people they trust for people they care about – their clients – and they’ve been at it for nearly 15 years.
Pixels started photographing their office and staff several years ago and created a gallery for their website, social media and office.
Dr. Christopher Roberts and Timberli Roberts
All dressed in white. Like your teeth should be…….! Learn more about the commercial and graphic design work from Pixels.
the rogers family ~ a study in “body English” ~ funny faces & faith
Gabriel Rogers is the head pastor at Kingdom Christian Church in Charlotte, NC and he and his wife Stephanie have three children Lauren, Gabe (the middle fella) and the baby of the family, Christian. They are a handsome family and very much loved. Members of their church decided to take up a collection so that they could have a family photo session with us, as well as some extra money to create wall art after our session. These members (like the Rogers themselves) are people after our own heart. They believe in honoring what’s important and capturing memories at different times in life and keeping them as family heirlooms to be passed along.
Pixels captured these photos on a chilly day at The Green Uptown in Charlotte. We immediately noticed their body language: funny, loving, engaged with each other and very silly – particularly the older two kids, Gabe and Lauren. In fact, they were experts in pulling faces to crack up their parents and “make them smile bigger!” Every picture tells a story, as the song goes. Check out the expressions in these pics…!
Gabe Rogers, Jr. stealing the show
Tell us that Gabe Jr. isn’t an uproar in this shot above!! And the photos of his parents (below) speak volumes. Mom Stephanie’s expression shows all the love, patience, humor and sweetness one would expect from a mother of three and pastor’s wife. It also shows strength and a robust dose of sass. Gabriel’s posture reads as, “head of the family” and “proud man of God.” Based on these two photos alone, it’s no wonder their congregants love them so dearly.
Three Musketeers below – big smile from little Christian, sweetness and light from big sis Lauren and the patented “don’t mess with my brother and sister” expression from Gabe Jr. (We send our prayers out to Gabriel and Stephanie for when these three are in their teens, but then we send those prayers out to all parents….)
The Rogers Children – (L-R) Christian, Lauren, Gabe Jr.
The Roger Family at The Green Uptown in Charlotte, NC
Gabe Rogers, Jr and sister Lauren Rogers
While we love the way these five were around each other this past January, we also love the spirit that drives them to be examples in their sphere of influence. They make a difference and their work and worth will have an untold impact, not just on each other, but to those they’ve not even met yet. We were thrilled to be able to provide a canvas wrap collection to go in their living room along with several prints they had frames for.
God Bless you Rogers.