Man of the Year – or just some photos celebrating men
My vote for man of the year is my Ryan Case. And he did not pay me to say that. He’s the guy I married, work and live with, am raising a son with and have watched build, repair, rebuild around our house and cabin getaway too many times to count. He’s an exceptional manager, father, graphic designer, photographer, craftsman, funny man, hockey mascot and enthusiast and friend to many…. too, too many to count.
I wrote recently about parents and parenting and it got me thinking about men. The news isn’t always a big, warm hug. And advertising doesn’t always help. BUT! We are teaching our daughters how to identify and avoid the predatory jerks and we’re teaching our sons how not to become those guys. This blog is decidedly not political though, because and I’ve been blessed by watching, knowing, befriending and loving the better men among us – the good guys.
Above: when your gear becomes a baby basket for your newborn.
Below: sandbox time. Time to listen, create and play.
Happy father of two and a little man ready to be a big brother.
This officer and dad (above with his wife and little peanut) provided his hat for a newborn portrait (below).
York men – brothers and friends.
This guy secretly planned a portrait session for his wife, preggers with their second child. He chose the location and clothing and surprised her.
Men prepping for a wedding: father and sons. Cuff links handed down and everyone all in.
Not quite a man yet, but he gets points for trying. It’s a wedding and dancing is part of the gig, after all.
The Hobin boys at the family camp.
This wonderful dad is now a father of two. And……….. still smiling.
Fathering a pre-teen.
Making baby Brock laugh.
Celebrating 50 years, in overalls with his favorite lady!
There still are men out there who work to be better listeners, who want to know those around them and show respect. They want to crack us up, swap stories, work along side and collaborate with us. They understand that we don’t need them, but are our fellow travelers, our friends, brothers, fathers, seekers and loves.
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 weddings, brides, 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.
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.
Fall Portrait Sessions – Still Time to Schedule
Summer doesn’t feel like it’s going to go gently into that good night, but PEOPLE, believe me: it’s gonna. The leaves, the brisk air, the late sunrise, cooling and refreshing temps – they are coming for us like a freight train out of the mist. Get ready. When the leaves change and the Blue Ridge Parkway, parts of Boone, Blowing Rock, Asheville, Wilkesboro and West Jefferson become too gorgeous to ignore, you’ll be glad that you booked your fall portrait session.
Engagement portraits, family moments, weddings (well, that’s a bigger deal), but all are enhanced by the changing light and the views we have in our area.
We still have open slots for fall portraits over the next few weeks, so contact us to schedule yours.
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 weddings, brides, 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.
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.
the love of parents – portraits of grace in the 21st century
How’s that for a grand title? Parenting has been on my mind for a minute: certainly years ago when I realized the sacrifices of my own parents, and absolutely again when becoming a parent myself with Ryan, my partner in all things.
Parenting is a full library. It contains every journal about how to do it, parenting magazines showing it in all its shades, every map of potential adventures with a child, every poem or bit of wisdom from the Kahlil Gibrans, and every scrapbook showcasing the memories of parenting. I imagine rows of volumes about life with a child – in good times and bad, on bikes, on camping trips, in boredom, during downtime, at holidays, recitals, studying, first days of school, and all the random but well-captured calamity that “just happens.” The layers of thought, work, imagination, terror and self-analysis that go into the concept of genetically forming a child and then physically raising that child, while trying to impart and protect them are frankly endless and would fill shelves – and do.
But honestly, especially these days of division and acrimony on cable news 24/7, what is most valuable to me as a new mom of a nearly one year old are the examples and illustrations of parenting with LOVE. I read and seek counsel, believe me – from the doctors and psychologists and from the Bible, but when I have nothing left to metabolize mentally, I return to simply providing love for Finley and looking to my friends, and clients, for proof of it. It’s not over-intellectualized or over-wrought, it’s easy and natural and primal and perfect.
Seeing that love through my lens is restoring me, ya’ll. Thought I’d share.
Listening. Spending time. Including them in preparing for the new baby. Picnics and time together. We’re photographing memories, but we’re also watching our friends and clients be “show up” parents. We’re watching them be present.
Parenting through showing others how to care for the least among us, including adoption dogs.
Parenting through some friendly competition.
And being the protective parents during some much needed downtime.
Our time with these families gave us some insight into what we might expect with Finley, and looking back at some of the photos I’m reminded about what matters most: sticking together and showing love and grace. Starting at home.
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 weddings, brides, 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.
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.
family outdoor portraits – at play & rest
The Minicks are family. Literally. We’ve been shooting photos of them since before Pixels was Pixels. This latest shoot was extremely fun, because the family grew by one when Matthew – Matt Matt – arrived and we all met up at a park to celebrate older sister Amelia’s first day of school. She has been the cutest little bug since birth and is now getting some competition from her little brother.
“Siblings: Children of the same parents, each of whom is perfectly normal until they get together.” – Sam Levenson
Even though we shot after a first day of school – and sweet Matt Matt is trying to overcome his desire to ride on the school bus with his big sissy, he was not forgotten. The Minicks brought along a quilt featuring characters from children’s author Eric Carle and Matthew’s current favorite book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? The family took a break to rest in the shade and read it together.
I love seeing the long legs on these kids, the complete passion for playtime and a family that hangs together. We adore 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 weddings, brides, 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.
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.
portraits ~ we love faces
It’s true. We love them. So many elements come into play when we take portraits: the location, the purpose, the subjects and the weather if it’s an outdoor session. Ultimately though, it’s about capturing the faces of those we see through our lenses. We want to showcase characteristics, expressions and even the smallest attributes that really shine through.
Years from now, when they look back, we want them to feel connected to that person, to smile, to remember and to feel seen.
We just LOVE FACES.
We also love feet.
But that’s another blog.
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 weddings, brides, 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.
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.