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. 
Category Archives: Children
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.
Swartzendruber/Jenner Family
Whistleman Family
I’m convinced the Whistleman boys wake up with sneakers on because surely they hit the ground mid-sprint each morning. What a pleasure it was to meet up with these two fast-paced bundles of energy…and the parents that keep up with them(!) for a family mini-session on Storybook Trail. The sun was low in the sky and kept saying good night as our session continued. But I managed to get some shots and a decent workout. Successful evening.
Lehman Family
I had a fun time meeting with the Lehman Family on a beautiful patch of their family-owned land in Singers Glen. Their cute son has the deepest, darkest eyes I have encountered to date! Below are a few of my favorites from our session.
Layman Family
I met the Layman Family one brisk Friday evening after school. The park had not yet become busy with families so we took advantage of the tucked-away and beautiful Timberville Park. Little Owen wooed me with his silly faces, Madison was polite and gave me her super sweet smile. I’d say this is a pretty decent way to start off any weekend. 
Jen and Shawn
Jen and Shawn’s friends and family gathered and filled the yard of a family home just outside of Harrisonburg on a very fall-like September Saturday. Brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles chipped in to help with to-do lists while kids ran and screamed and laughed. The cows watched the day unfold as the grey skies turned to blue and two lovers became one family. It was a perfect backyard gathering complete with mason jars, barbecue chicken, glow sticks, soft blankets and a glowing fire. Cheers to you, Jen and Shawn….and to many more lovely evenings, just like this one.
Wimer Family {mini}
I met with the Wimer’s one spring Saturday morning at the JMU Arboretum. Everything that had been bare just weeks before, was now lush and green and blooming all over the place! What a sweet gem of a spot we have here in Harrisonburg. Misty and her four guys were so much fun to work with! I’m excited to see more of this family in the future and watch as these three unique personalities develop into strong young men!
Herr Family {mini}
I’ve known the Herr’s since I started to know myself. They are one of the most loving and welcoming families around. On a recent sunny Friday afternoon I headed out to their home to hang out on the porch, under a tree and in the grass – the perfect way to be in the company of Papa Bird, sweet Lia and beautiful Mama Herr…and various animals.
Carter {mini}
I have photographed Angela Carter before and I have photographed her children. But it wasn’t until this warm, spring, Saturday morning that I had the pleasure of photographing Angela and her children atthesametime. For Mother’s Day, Angela’s husband gave her the gift of a photo session…a Mother’s Day Mini! A special session just for Angela and her two beautiful daughters. We met at Spitzer Art Center, the home of both of our creative studios, and basked in the lush greens that the grounds provide. This location is significant for many reasons and will become even more so on June 6, 2014 when Angela celebrates a lifetime of efforts in the launch of her first book “Memory Chose a Woman’s Body”. What better reason to bring her sweet girls here, to this spot, to document their love. A mother, a wife, a friend, a writer, a poet, a community poetry circle organizer, a professional duty juggler and soon…the author of her very own book. Go ‘head girl!
Brandy Somers Photography 