Posts Tagged: pixels on paper creative family portraiture

Rusty and McKenzie

Why not celebrate your first wedding anniversary wandering outside during another family photo session? Exactly! And that’s just what we were able to do with Rusty and McKenzie.

We recently photographed Rusty and McKenzie Wood while photographing them with their immediate and extended family. While we were all out and gathered, and when we learned that Rusty and McKenzie were about to celebrate one year together. They were so cute and I’m glad we were able to pull them away.

These two are so cute together, so chill and relaxed and we loved being able to give them time to themselves to smooch and get some attention. It hasn’t been the easiest year to be newlyweds, so we hope these images can give them a shot in the arm, … so to speak.


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 License

All photos are ©2018 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.

Sofia Turns One

Wrapping up a full year baby package meant that we got to see little Miss Sofia again just a few weeks ago. I cannot believe these newborns I welcome to our studio are now no longer new earthlings. I understand the concept of time and who DOESN’T want this year to be over but still…… you cannot stop a baby from just doing its thing and growing!

We photographed Sofia’s newborn sessions with her siblings and 6 month “Milk Bath” portraits in our studio and this one was in our portrait garden. This may be a first – hosting the family and baby each time in our Pixels space vs. meeting the family at another location.

Mom Jessica is a nurse and did not want a cake smash but definitely wanted to be outside, and that worked for us, because that’s how we roll during Covid-19. Sofia got new outfits for this day due to unseasonably warm weather. She was absolutely adorable and even mom got into a few of the shots.

I had already been hoarding fall and Halloween props, so I set up the portrait garden with pumpkins we grew in our pumpkin patch, mums and other little props, and off we went.

We will be creating a one year photo album for this family and I am really looking forward to it. Sofia: take your time with the growing up bit, please.


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 LicenseAll photos are ©2020 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.

Christmas Portraits at Home

… as in YOUR home and yes, we are offering this again this year. We’ve received a few queries from those interested and we have a health and safety plan in place we have been using with summer and fall shoots. If God is willing and the creek don’t rise, we can do this. Who’s in?

Pixels On Paper Wilkesboro NC Photographers York In Home Family Christmas 2019 Photo
Pixels On Paper Wilkesboro NC Photographers York In Home Family Christmas 2019 Photo
Pixels On Paper Wilkesboro NC Photographers York In Home Family Christmas 2019 Photo

Above are just a sampling of the sweet York family from last year after welcoming their daughter Tinleigh into a home filled with boys. But this idea originated a few years ago when Ryan and I were reminiscing about the fact that some of our favorite childhood photographs are taken at Christmas. We’ve celebrated this idea since with documentary and in home holiday session, and in more than a few blogs.

Pixels On Paper Photography Spillman Family Christmas In Home Portrait Photos

The Spillmans (above) welcomed son Barrett a few years ago and we loved capturing his first Christmas at home.

So what is involved?
First, we are not changing our prices nor have we since this idea took off.

Second, we will of course follow all CDC and local protocols with regard to safe distancing during the entirety of the session; we will wear masks, and shoot images outside if the weather continues its warm trajectory. If you have specials requests in terms of safety, please let us know.

The fee of $125 is due when you make your reservation. We will provide 5 digital images for families with up to 3 children. This includes the printing rights along with the option to purchase prints, cards, and gifts. Pets and additional children or family members are welcome for an additional $25. Call 336-990-0080 to reserve or email inquiries to mail@pixelsonpaper.net.


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 License

All photos are ©2018 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.

15 Years of Pixels On Paper – Pt. 3 – And Here We Are

During the last 15 years, we have gained so much. That is perhaps my greatest understatement to date. From double-booking weddings for most summer weekends, to adding commercial and business photography, incorporating graphic design and branding services, we just kept growing.

Case family photo
photo by: Joy Davis Photography




5 years ago we were asked to be Official Photographers at MerleFest and have been there every year except 2020. We really missed that event and our fellow photogs this year, but know we’ll all be back.

Pixels on Paper photography Merlefest 2016 Steep Canyon Rangers photo

In 2015, we held a BIG party to celebrate and show our gratitude to friends, family and clients. We’ve been blessed beyond measure and believe me, we know it.

We have also gained so much personally. Ryan and I became parents since our 10th Anniversary party, and Finley changed more than just our work schedules. He’s our first thought when we make big decisions in business and at home.

After Finley was born, we re-prioritized nearly everything and realized that our schedule of weddings was going to be hard to maintain. The climate was shifting to trends of do-it-yourself with your iPhone or hire a family member or non-professional to handle it, but for us it was also the sheer number of weddings we were asked to photograph.









Ryan and I were keen to be present for raising our kid. That was the deciding factor. Moving forward, we will still photograph weddings, but they are on a case-by-case basis and are few and far between. Our focus now is on family portraits, the occasional community event, newborn portraits, outdoor photography and Day in the Life documentary portrait sessions. And of course, graphic design and commercial work continue to be a staple.

Only occasionally do I wish for a crystal ball, as we call it a wrap on 15 years and prepare for the next 15. My faith leads me to work on my patience and being present for Ryan, Finley, our family and ways to be better as a human and better as a photographer. There aren’t enough words to express how amazed I am that 15 years have passed and how grateful I am for what each one has taught me. Thank you to all of you who have supported us and continue to. We’re here! It’s a weird world right now, but we’re still at it. Happy Anniversary to Pixels and
… much love to you all,
Misty & Ryan


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 LicenseAll photos are ©2020 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.

Siblings in Photography

Pixels On Paper Photographers Wilkesboro NC Anderson Family Outdoor Fall Portrait Photography Photo

It’s been said that a sibling is the only enemy you cannot live without. I’d like to think that I would use the case-by-case method instead of thinking that this is true across the board.

While musing recently about a possible influx of babies due to being quarantined in 2020, I reviewed so many images of children, of kids being kids, of the demure, the knuckleheads tamping down their laughter while I was shooting images, and of little cherubs (sorta) …. brothers and sisters, friends, conspirators, frenemies, … siblings.

Marion one year old portrait photography photo

A favorite line about siblings someone recently shared with me: They are children of the same parents, each of whom is perfectly normal until they get together. I love this and it prompted me to find other summaries and observations about siblings.

Pixels On Paper Photographers Bynum Family Christmas 2019 Photo

”The advantage of growing up with siblings is that you become very good at fractions.” – Robert Brault

“Half the time when brothers wrestle, it’s just an excuse to hug each other.” – James Patterson

“They say that no matter how old you become, when you are with your siblings, you revert back to childhood.” – Karen White

“A sibling is the lens through which you see your childhood.” – Ann Hood

“To the outside world, we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were, we know each other’s hearts, we share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys.” – Clara Ortega

I would like to add (as an only child) that cousins deserve to be included in this mix too. Those relationships that build and shape us are just the best.
Take the opportunity to have those relationships photographed.


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 LicenseAll photos are ©2020 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.