Holland Family Outdoor Fall Portrait Photos
It’s THAT time of year, and I look forward to seeing those families who book us every year for their Christmas portraits. The Hollands are a beloved annual date with Pixels and, no surprise, seeing them again was a shot in the arm. Parents Kevin and Tram, son Colten, and daughters Sophia and Ava are the sweetest family and good LORD, these kids won’t stop growing up on me!!
We decided once again to photograph them on their family property. We’ve done this before with them during the autumn and it’s always a good idea. The place is gorgeous and they are relaxed there, so we just roam, laugh and snap images.
The Hollands will again be using these images for holiday cards and gifts, but they’ve also had holiday portraits taken at their home, not once, but twice and again in our decorated studio!
You’ll notice some pumpkins on the the front stoop of their cabin. They grew those on the property this year and sold them as fall and Halloween approached. They told me it was quite a harvest. I love how industrious and earthy they are. In fact, Ryan and I often share/swap stuff from our garden with the Hollands and they with us. Just another reason we love them so much. I also loved seeing their sweet pup, Pearl again. She was bred and had some pups and it was fun having them and their crazy Jack Russel energy in the mix.
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 License All photos are ©2021 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.
Taylor and Matthew’s Hallelujah Arena Venue Wedding
Taylor and Matthew were married in October of this year at the Hallelujah Arena in Morganton, North Carolina and it was a family affair, planned from a distance and during a pandemic. Matthew is Ryan’s second-cousin, is in the military stationed in Wisconsin, and Taylor is working on her graduate degree at Appalachian State University in Boone. Even at a distance, and while Taylor was studying, these two were efficient and thorough in their planning.
There was a large wedding party, with folks coming from all over, but these two trusted us – and our many years of experience – on the day and leading up to it. Even the last minute decision to have a “first touch” was easy for us to pull off, and the day was truly a blast. Outdoor weddings, especially in beautiful spots like this one, allow for a variety of textures and people groups, so we took full advantage.
This was a new venue for us and we loved it. There was a beautiful covered pavilion, and the outdoor ceremony site showcased a mountain view. A classic car was provided by the venue and coordinators provided golf cart shuttles across the property. There was also a large fire pit which provided a quieter space for guests throughout the night.
A few months prior to the wedding Taylor sent me a Facebook video of bubble machine guns that she thought would be fun. Wanting my input on how they could be used, she made the purchase and together we planned her bubble entrance. With the help of two bridesmaids it was hilarious. They gave it another go during the couple’s first dance and there were bubbles everywhere!
During the reception, Matthew shared a dance with his Mom Melanie. They were both laughing and really enjoying themselves. When I mentioned this to Melanie later in the night, she said that of her four kids Matthew had always been her dance partner since he was young, and it was something that felt natural to the both of them.
Our son Finley attended the wedding, because that kid loves to dance, too. While we worked, he hung around with family and spent most of the night on the dance floor, even stealing dances with the bride.
What a night! Glow sticks made for a fun mess-free exit, and we were so happy to have been able to be not just the photographers for this event, but guests. Congratulations Taylor and Matthew!
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 License All photos are ©2021 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.
Michael’s Adoption Day Photos
Stories like this one, you guys [……deep breath, holding back tears], and opportunities to witness what generosity and unbridled love looks like …. they slay me. They humble me. And I am so happy to share this experience with you, my dear readers and friends. This wonderful little boy in the center of the image below is Michael, and he was in foster care for almost 5 years in Wilkes County. But not any more. The Roche family in Charlotte adopted him as their own child, and I was asked to come document the day on his actual Adoption Day. To say it was an honor doesn’t begin to cover my feelings about this.
More frequently, families choose to adopt infants or babies for any number of reasons, both practical and personal. Older children are often overlooked. This is why I so admire the the Roches for their generous hearts and belief that this little boy is theirs.
We met up early on the Monday of his official adoption proceedings at the Wilkesboro NC courthouse where so many people were a part of making this day possible. There were papers to sign and papers to be stamped, and Michael wanted to be a part of every second of it. He even mentioned that one day he might want to be an attorney, so we found time to slip into an empty courtroom where he could sit in the judge’s chair and pretend to be a litigator.
Throughout the morning, Michael and his new Mom and Dad were smiling and I loved seeing how the administrators were fully present and proud to be a part of such a special day.
I would love to be a part of many more of these moments, so if you are aware of an opportunity to capture an adoption, a special reunion of family or military, an important graduation or milestone, I’m your girl. I love the hearts of the people I get the pleasure of photographing and would love to capture your special day too.
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 License All photos are ©2021 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.
Thanksgiving Blessings to All
Sometimes we need a reminder of the “why” behind Thanksgiving and I’m pointing a finger at myself here too. I dug into my files, category “Uplift Me, Please!” and thought I’d share a few with you as we approach the big day of food and revelry.
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.
Albert Einstein
In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it’s wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices.
Elizabeth Gilbert
To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.
Johannes A. Gaertner
We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count.
Neal A. Maxwell
Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our Thanksgiving.
W.T. Purkiser
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
John F. Kennedy
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 License All photos are ©2021 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.
Gracelynn turns one – boho outdoor and cake smash photos
Our garden grows the most interesting blooms and recently presented a new one: we call it “the Gracelynn.” It’s bright, delicate and you cannot stop looking at it.
Gracelynn came to our outdoor garden studio to celebrate her first birthday and it was the perfect spot to grab photos of this lovely little flower. We created a boho setting for her to smash her very first birthday cake, but some of the real gems from this shoot are from her interacting with her fellow blooms.
Gracelynn’s mom chose a palette of pink, pale rose and neutrals and we just let this girl shine. She did not need any coaching!
Happy Birthday, Little Girl! You felt like a burst of spring in our midst. We hope that you’ll come back to see us any season that suits you.
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 License All photos are ©2021 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.