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. 
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Spicer Wedding
After Laura and Caleb’s engagement session, I knew I was in for a treat with their wedding. These two are hilarious together, fun to be around and really enjoy giving each other hell…in the most endearing way, of course. Their wedding was held On Sunny Slope Farm and it was filled with sunshine, raindrops, laughter, love and lots of friends and family.
Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Spicer!
Swartzendruber/Jenner Family
Hartsell Wedding
I arrived at Barren Ridge Vineyards a few moments before the bride and groom. And I’m glad I did. Otherwise, I would have missed the arrival of the soon-to-be-wed couple who casually strolled in the back door, wedding dress in hand, wind blown hair and beaming, relaxed contentment settled into their eyes. At first sight of their freshly decorated tables they both became vocally excited and thrilled that it was here. Their wedding day was finally here. They rushed to different rooms to change and in a few short moments they were embracing and celebrating once again. The wind carried the time away as we wandered around the hills and vines of the vineyards with a Dalmatian in tow. Their family joined and later their friends and before we knew it the sun left the sky and guests enjoyed an epic first dance, a wonderful gourmet meal, smooth wine, toasts, stories, and lots of dancing. Congrats and cheers to you both, Amy and Kelly!
Cupcakes & Cake: The Cupcake Company | Dress: Kathleen Temple, Tailor | Custom knitted shaw: Knitting Savant |Caterer: TASTE. | Florist: Joy Shank Coakley of The Weekend Florist | Venue: Barren Ridge Vineyards
Benjamin and Kenneth
It’s refreshing to witness love. The kind of refreshing that wakes your arm hairs up. The kind that wells your eyes with tears. The kind that makes you feel that part of your heart that sits dormant through your daily routine. Ben and Kenny are refreshing. Their love is real and inspiring. During the ceremony the officiant took several deliberate moments to ask guests to let their thoughts and worries go. To be there with each other and with the grooms. She insisted. And for an undetermined amount of time, I forgot I was there to photograph a wedding. Love was so present as their family and friends stood to reach out their hands in acceptance as Ben and Kenny proclaimed their love. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful experience there on Sunnyslope Farm. Many congrats to you, Ben and Kenny…may your celebration never stop.
Ellison Family {mini}
Not only did the world gain a precious child…but the family pup gained a baby sister. And now it is his sole duty to watch her every move and raise an ear to her every whimper. Delissa Ana, or Dela, was a quiet, sweet babe on the evening I met her. But I was not fooled…I could sense a depth of personality in those stare-a-hole-right-through-me eyes. This girl will do great things. Thanks for spending an evening of your life with me, Ashley & Mahan!
Copyright © 2014 · Photos by Brandy Somers. All Rights Reserved · friendlycitylens.com & brandysomersphotography.com. This material may not be copied, downloaded, altered, cropped, reproduced, or printed without express written consent. Thank you for respecting my creative property.
Trader Wedding
I’ve been looking at Jody and her sweet daughter, Ava, through my viewfinder for many years now. But on August 9, 2014, I had the pleasure of documenting a very special day for the two of them: a wedding day. Jody and Ava spent the afternoon getting ready together: hair, makeup, nails…the dress, the shoes. They were like a little team, helping each other out as the minutes passed by. Later that day the two loaded themselves into a golf cart and rode to the ceremony where Ava then walked her radiant mama down the aisle to marry the handsome Mr. Gary Trader. The ceremony took place on the hill at Packsaddle Ridge, in the presence of friends and family from near and far. As the couple sealed their promise with a kiss, the evening sun entered it’s golden hour and the lush greenery surrounding the golf course begged to be their backdrop. The kind attendants carted us around the course and when we returned to the reception, the party was in full swing. The guests danced the evening away, shared laughs and made new memories.
Congratulations to you, my friends!
Lilly Wedding
After spending the day with Jr and Brittney for their engagement shoot, I was pretty pumped about their wedding day. These two are so much fun to be around: laid back, fun-loving, free spirits with a genuine care for their friends and family. When you’re with them, you feel loved…and sometimes your face hurts from laughing. Their special day all unfolded within a 4 mile wide pocket in Rockingham County. Hair and makeup was done at Brittney’s house; first look and group photos went down at Lake Shendandoah; ceremony and reception was held in Grandma Burner’s backyard (Brittney’s grandmother). With a day this personal, I left feeling like family…and filled with s’mores. Surely the best kind of feeling. 
