The Godshall Family invited me to their home for a summer evening family session. And by ‘family’ I mean their son, two daughters, two dogs, new kitten, and two very-well-loved horses. Surely the grass was greener on this particular evening as golden light poured through flickering leaves of the trees. Below are a few of my favorite shots of this super sweet family.
Author Archives: bsome
Murray Wedding
Dawn and Scott got married in their backyard’s backyard. That’s right, if you walk through the backyard, just over a family-built foot bridge, passed the territorial rooster and the curious goats, the trees will open up to a beautiful panorama view. Right there on that patch of land, you’ll find all the joys of Fulks Run: mountains, corn fields, green grass and a flowing river. A beautiful location for a wedding celebration. Dawn was escorted down the path by her two sons and she was spilling with joy when she met her groom. Smiles filled the tent from the first moment to the last. The night ended with a friends and family bluegrass jam session, lots of laps through the corn field and a dip in the river.
VanMeter Wedding
Ike and Melissa married on a friend’s farm just outside of Harrisonburg, Virginia. The day promised and delivered scattered showers but it politely waited until after the ceremony and most of the photos. As Melissa met Ike at the alter, a rooster crowed in the distance, the guests spirits lifted with the breeze and a marriage was sealed with a kiss. During the reception the rain clouds parted, yard games commenced and there was a whole lot of shakin’ on the dance floor. As it should be.
Hot Yoga Harrisonburg
I recently had the privilege of doing photography for the kind folks at Hot Yoga Harrisonburg. They came to my home, warmed up in my backyard and worked through postures in front of my camera. The human body is marvelous and these dedicated yogis and yoginis provide a beautiful display of what the body can do. Here are a handful of my favorite shots from that day.
Hughes Family
This at-home session was held at the Hughes new home in Rockingham County. Hilly country roads led me there on a humid Saturday morning and I was greeted warmly by a very vocal dog, chickens, rabbits, a blue-eyed cat and three sweet children. I’ve photographed Ashley and Bill many times before and I look forward to continuing this tradition. Their family just keeps getting better and better…and bigger!
Turner Wedding
This wedding is shot from the perspective of a bridesmaid. You see, when your baby sister asks you to be a bridesmaid in her wedding, you get puuumped. And when she asks you to be her photographer and “snap a few photos” of her special day, you don’t take her literally and you come prepared. So there I was: hair, makeup, dress, heels…and camera. My sister was a beautiful bride. Marrying her high school sweetheart, she couldn’t have chosen a better match. Kim and Justin are two genuine people with a real love. They’re a team. Love like theirs is a beautiful thing and I can’t wait for them to give me lots of nieces and nephews (heehee) and make many years of memories, together as a family.
photo by Ben Fraits
photo by Ben Fraits
photo by Ben Fraits
photo by Ben Fraits
photo by Ben Fraits
photo by Ben Fraits
photo by Ben Fraits
photo by Ben Fraits
Miller Wedding
On their wedding day, Nicki and Travis surrounded themselves with the trees of the Shenandoah Valley, the vines of Cave Ridge Vineyard, gray skies of late spring and lots (and lots) of friends and family. A few mid-day sprinkles refreshed the mood and the day carried into evening as guests danced the night to a close.
Brady Family
The last time the Brady Family invited me to take their family photos, it was just after Donnie’s birth. That session was held at their home in Harrisonburg, Virginia. This go ’round, we met at their second home, their new business: Pale Fire Brewing. Donnie is no longer a wee little baby and in fact, he will soon be a pretty awesome big brother. The Brady’s have had quite a few things brewing these days…
Boggs Family
After a year of scheduling and rescheduling a family session due to the Valley’s weather (rain, snow, ice, cold, rain again), I finally got to see the Boggs Fam in real life! We met on Memorial Day morning in Broadway, Virginia. Monica is a beautiful mama and is great with her two little sillies. Below is a selection of my black and white favorites. 
Newton Family
This family session was sandwiched between two storm cells on the Quad of James Madison University. The post-graduation campus was quiet and calm. As the Newton’s smiled and candidly posed, the gray masses grew in the sky. The wind shifted to an upward draft and we wrapped up our session. The result: filtered natural light, rich colors, no squinting and wind blown looks for this model family.
Brandy Somers Photography 