Posts Tagged: NC creative photographer with children and babies
colorful outdoor family portraits on the blue ridge parkway
This family means a lot to us.
Kim Hatfield is the owner of Waggles Pet Supply. You may recall that we provided portraits for pet food and donated along with Waggles to the Wilkes Animal Shelter. We collaborate with her and her business on so many great causes and we simply adore her and her family as humans. But the best gift, the biggest compliment is that we get to photograph her family. Kim and Terry have a precious daughter, Rayne.
We photographed Rayne’s newborn session and she’s only gotten more cute and more animated. She grins with her mouth open like she’s in the middle of a sentence or a funny thought. It’s hilarious to watch. Kim and Terry’s one request for this session was that we include mountains as a backdrop, which is not a tall order. We’d been eyeing this location along the Blue Ridge Parkway for months, but had never photographed there before. Pretty lighting, great views and a spectacular sunset! We love the outcome.
We know we’ve said this, but we’re outdoorsy so we’re saying it again. We live in a beautiful place. North Carolina, particularly our mountains and valleys, will stop you in your tracks. And it’s not just the mountain views, it’s the details of rock and moss, sky and grass. This family stood out in their bright clothes in every setting we placed them in.
Doesn’t Rayne look like she’s going to grow up to be a great chat? The woman you’re going to want to sit next to on a flight from Toronto to Dallas? She’s a charmer and people are attracted to her every expression. Even butterflies have attached themselves to her shoes…. oh wait. Nevermind.
A fun aside: At Pixels on Paper’s 10 year anniversary, the Hatfield family attended of course and Rayne was the star of the day. She was wearing the most adorable outfit, everyone wanted to hold her and she wanted to be hitched to the hip of the funnest and snuggliest among the partygoers. Those dancing were at the top of her list since she could bounce to the rhythm on the dance floor. Our dear pal, photographer Michael Anderson, of Michael A. Anderson Photography, captured the shot below of her.
I wanted to end with the shot below, mostly because Rayne looks like she’s just blown a kiss and is saying “That’s All Folks!” Watching her grow up is going to be the biggest treat. Kim, Terry and Rayne: WE LOVE YOU!!!!
Brock turns one and celebrates in our outdoor portrait garden
“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” We scheduled this outdoor shoot months in advance and planned a large number of portraits with Master Brock to celebrate his first trip around the sun. And Mother Nature shook her head and said, “sorry, guys.” It poured rain.
We first met sweet Brock as a newborn in 2014 when his parents Becky and Jackson brought him from South Carolina to our Wilkesboro studio. He wasn’t as big as a minute, but grinned in one of our first, and favorite, shots of him. We saw them again for his 6 month session and he was even smilier. That hasn’t changed. He’s a happy kid.
Check out Brock’s mini work boots!!
“mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…………. SPRINKLES.”
Because we don’t pull a switch-a-roo with families who make arrangements months ahead and then travel to us, we LOVE having the backup options we do. These outdoor photos of Brock were taken on our covered front porch while the rain was coming down. When there was a slight break in the rain, we used a wagon rather than plopping in onto the wet ground. The lush green of the yard ultimately made a perfect backdrop for this little dude in his plaid shirts and work boots.
For those who don’t know us – YET – we converted a piece of property and restored a farm house that is 162 years old. We’ve spent hours, days and weeks on every square inch of the studio both inside and out, creating spaces everywhere than can be used for photos. We have even more plans for creating portrait scenes in our outdoor portrait garden for 2016! Whether you have a little one or two (or 3) you want photoed outside, or creative maternity portraits shot, or are newly engaged, please get in touch. We’d love to get to know you and work with you whether it’s at our studio or at a location you love.
the journey of Carson ~ a one year old of style, substance and bringer of smiles
So, I’m just going to throw this out there. You’re having a sub-par day. Maybe it’s work. Maybe it’s traffic. Or it’s your spouse or kids or the news of the world. But you need a pick-me-up and cute cat and dog videos won’t cut it.
We humbly submit Carson’s first birthday photos along with pics of him from the very beginning. We anticipate these will goose your day up by at least 5 levels.
We talk about relationships a lot, because they are important to us, so I’m going to refrain from waxing on. EXCEPT TO SAY THIS: as it is with proposals, engagements and weddings where we learn about and bond with a couple, so it goes with new parents. We take the maternity photos, the newborn portraits, the 6 month milestone and then baby’s first birthday. Often, couples who hire us to take engagement and wedding photos stick with us when the kiddies come along. (Please ask about our package for this situation!) We started photographing Carson when he was still “baking in the oven” and his parents, Megan and Luke wanted some maternity shots taken on their family farm. Their farm is the real thing, by the way. They are no posers, these two, and it is land that has been worked for generations. ….. but that’s another blog.
After Carson’s perfect little feet hit the planet, we got the below and more. If your day hasn’t improved and you need more unadulterated sweetness – have a look!
At six months, the cheeks arrived, along with a trunk of hats, pants and bow ties from his tailor in London. See more. And you’re welcome. He’s hilariously cute.
And now, he’s one. He’s not driving a pick-up pulling a trailer – yet. He’s not looking at acreage and making planting decisions – yet. But he’s held on to his sweetness big time and it won’t be long before All Things Land fall on his radar. For this occasion – he was looking dapper, smashing his cake and enjoying his day.
Enjoy this slideshow video of Carson’s entire photo gallery.
8 month old’s studio baby portraits + a little “dress up”
We photographed Madelyn’s (well, Maddie’s) newborn portraits earlier this year and somehow she’s managed to get cuter, her expressions more animated, her eyes more blue and her parents, Valerie and Jason, more delighted. In fact, they should probably just keep us on retainer.
Her newborn session was a complete joy, because she’s just so perfect. I say that knowing the bias is evident, so full disclosure: this little lamb is my second cousin.
Her mouth is almost always open, either in the biggest smile or because she’s chattering away. I foresee a lucrative contract in her future …. and most likely with an opera company or any advertiser looking for a child who expresses a constant, persistent joy.
Her eyes are unbelievable and we’ve dubbed them the McGuire eyes. Those big blues are hereditary. Her dad and granddad, my own dad and I ALL have them. Suffice it to say that photographing her is an exercise in seeing how many photos are NOT close ups. And those cheeks! Those cheeks power that smiling and laughing mouth.
Of course, we get tapped to photograph our own friends and family, but we would consider it a pleasure to photograph yours. For those of you new to our blog, please know that we love to photograph newborn babies, infants, toddlers, teens, families, seasonal portraits, newly engaged couples, weddings, bridals – you get the idea. We have an indoor portrait studio, an outdoor portrait garden and a variety of places, props and ideas to share. Please see our work and give us a call. We would love to create heirlooms for your family.
the many faces and personalities revealed when photographing a 6 month old
“My tastes are simple: I am easily satisfied with the best.”
-Winston Churchill
Carson – only satisfied with the best. The best hat. The best suspenders…..
The temptation to place a thought bubble or caption for every single picture of Carson Mathis (6 months) is killing us. KILLING US. Look at him!! So, since we value life,… we’re going for it. He’s a slice of Winston Churchill, Alfred Hitchcock, Bagger Vance and James Cromwell’s character in Babe.
Jay Gatsby meets Bagger Vance meets Carson Mathis
The great film director, Alfred Hitchcock was an obvious choice for a comparison to Carson. The cheeks. The intensity. The innate brilliance!
While little Carson cannot write or direct films, or control much of anything at the moment (like what smart and spiffy clothes his mom decides to dress him in), he’s got tons of personality. Mom Meagan chooses the hats, the clothes, the boots and shoes he styles. We invited them to our outdoor studio and had a blast with the costume changes and unexpected facial expressions. The pic above was his Easter outfit. All the attention shouldn’t go to the girls with their hats and gloves after all, right?? Below he is as our little farm hand with his Carhartt bib overalls, ball cap and John Deere tractor.
“HEY!… lift that barge, tote that bale… it’s hard out here on the farm.”
“I’m busy, people. And you’re making me sit here!!”
The farm outfits are a nod to Carson’s inclusion in a long line of family farmers. He’s already riding on John Deere tractors on his dad’s lap.
“Like my boots?? My grandpa gave them to me. And that’s me flying on the right with Mommy. Check out my leg extension. It’s important to keep you core muscles strong.”
“I look mighty, but I’m snuggly too. Just ask my folks.”
Winston Churchill said, “History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.” Now there is a legacy to chase. Being kind, making an impact, being remembered….
“I’ve got the whole world ahead of me and my family beside me. Now, where’s my shirt?”
We look forward to seeing the Mathis’s many times over the coming years and watching their family grow and what Carson will do and become. He’s got the cute part down, the farming part is in progress and the dapper characteristics are developing as well. Who on earth will he be? And isn’t that the fun part anyway? The wondering and discovering?