Welcome to the World, Baby

pixels on paper photographers shumate family newborn portrait photo

This little acorn is proof that prayer, will and love can defeat hopelessness, doubt and even sometimes infertility. Emeliegh Faith Shumate was born to Andy and Amber Shumate on March 29. Fragile but perfect and just over 4 lbs, she was taken to Brenner’s Children’s Hospital where she reached 5 lbs after a couple of weeks, allowing her to go home. Sweet Emeliegh arrived 4 weeks before her due date, but not a minute too soon for her parents. We call that God’s timing. It’s always perfect.

Once released to go home, her mom and dad brought her to our studio just two days later for her newborn photo debut. From the start she has been told that she is “tiny but mighty” and I hope she hears that every day of her life until she believes that her purpose is important. She appears to be living up to that motto so far and her sweet smile says, “I’m happy to finally be here too!”

We photographed her parents engagement and wedding, when they blended their family and celebrated a new beginning filled with hope and a desire to build that family even further. Big Sister Ashlyn is smitten by this tiny bean and so happy for her Dad and her new step-mom Amber. “My heart felt full after she got here – like it was gonna explode in my chest!”

The future continues to be bright for this family and for this mighty new-comer to the world. So much love begets so much love and we’re grateful to have this family in our lives and as part of our extended “family.”


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.

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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.

Overby Family Orchard Portraits

pixels on paper photographers overby family outdoor peach orchard portrait photo

Almost 3 years to the date after we photographed the Overby’s in the orchard their family was a part of planting and starting, Mom Jennifer, Father Josh, Natalie, Eli and their latest addition, Jaden Overby were photographed among the audacious blossoms of the peach trees. This season, the orchard exploded and we were thrilled to see this family for a very special and timely photo session.

Natalie and Eli have grown so much in three years; time will do that, you know, but their personalities have only developed more and they were so sweet with their new little brother, Jaden. Check out the side-by-side images of these two cuties. I especially love how Natalie has moved from “hair bow” to “statement necklace” in three short calendar flips. As the mother of a boy, I love noticing these little shifts.

Jennifer is a descendant of the family who planted the orchard and they also live next to it. Heritage is important to this family, as is legacy and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that this session was scheduled around the time that Jennifer’s father became very ill. We offered to reschedule the session so that the family could spend time together, but her father’s wish was to see photos that included Jaden, the youngest of all of his grandchildren.

Only a few days after we showed the family the portraits, Jennifer’s father passed, but not without being able to see the family portraits with his new grandson, and in a place he knew and loved so well.

To end on a happier note, Jaden is a close to perfect baby. Not one tear, not one cry for the entire session. More often than not, this happy little man was grinning and giggling and we love that he is not only a part of this terrific family, but was able to be in the orchard that day and during that time. We send nothing but blessings for the future for this family.


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.

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.

Wilkesboro Town Council

Business is business and when we were hired by the Town of Wilkesboro to photograph the 2018-2019 Town Council, we said of course. We handle commercial and architectural photography and especially love meeting people in our community. Photographing local public servants was an easy “yes.”

Pixels On Paper photography Wilkesboro NC Town Council 2018-2019 photo

Ryan took these images and, like any corporate setting, there were group and headshots that can be used for advertising and other promotions. We will be printing and framing these so that they can be placed in the Wilkesboro Town Hall. We take a special pride in photographing this session for our local government.


We love graphic design and commercial photography whether logo design, brochure design, head shot photos, architectural photography or product shots. At Pixels On Paper we pride ourselves in listening to a broad range of clients and customizing our photography and graphic design services to meet each individual request. Our skills, styles, and visions come together to be a permanent record that either reflects an identity or delivers a message that speaks to thousands. We would be honored to meet with you, learn about you and your business needs. Email us at mail@pixelsonpaper.net or call 336.990.0080 to learn more, receive a quote or to let us know how we can put our skills to work for you.

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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.

Our Boy – 18 month portraits

Finley Case 18 months orchard portrait photo

He’s dapper.
He’s thoughtful.
He’s got a lot on his mind.

He’s also our kid. And all that I can say, you guys, is that it’s getting much much harder for us to photograph our own sweet boy. He is getting faster, bored more quickly, and after hearing Mama or Daddy say the same thing over and over he completely tunes us out.  [should I stop here, so you can laugh and nod?…… ok great.]

I am a photog AND a Mama. I am a Ninja at Merlefest capturing musicians and atmosphere. And I can coax cuteness out of sleepy kids like Holden. I want to believe that like Walt Whitman said, I “contain multitudes.”

But when it was time for this shoot – with the blooms about as perfect as our Finley, I felt what every Mama feels: “what on earth am I supposed to wear?” “How do I get it all together?”

I stressed about everyone else’s outfits, lacked time to get myself ready, lathered myself up about things going according to plan and then afterwards, worried over whether we got even one good shot.

I’ve said it before but it’s worth saying again, I now have a totally different perspective and appreciation as a photographer who is also a Mom. I feel your pain.

Now that I’ve shared that … I have to say that I love these images. Ryan and I are better people because of that little ginger. We focus in a new way (no pun intended); we prioritize differently; we laugh more; listen more closely and we absolutely love more deeply. Personally, he was our game-changer. Professionally, the same is true. Perspective is everything.

Pixels On Paper Photography Finley Case 18 months orchard portrait 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

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.