Justin and Amisha declared their vows in front of a postcard backdrop complete with Massanutten Mountain, every changing skies and lush greens in all directions. Family and friends gathered to witness the couple seal their love with a kiss and then dance the night away alongside their two sweet daughters. Among the many highlights of the day were the best man’s Fresh Prince of Bel-Air inspired speech, the double (double) chocolate chunk wedding cake, the secret handshake of the groom and his daughter, the post-ceremony mini-Dixie Cup champagne shot, copper flower centerpieces handmade by the bride’s dad, and the send off under a sea of glow sticks. Congrats Amisha and Justin and cheers to many years of happiness!
Tag Archives: barn
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
Bishop Wedding
On the day of their wedding, Kimberly and Greg meandered the same farm land without catching a glimpse of each other pre-ceremony. They were equally giddy and pleasant, eager to see each other and say their vows under blue skies. The wedding took place on a family friend’s farm in Linville, Virginia. Kimberly and Greg created a very thoughtful event that was a comforting representation of the two of them. Their day was complete with hand-touched goodies like dried flower bouquets, bow ties made by their friend Morgan, a beautiful painted watercolor tree/guestbook by their friend Marcia, a precious mini wooden bride and groom set painted by the groom and centerpieces made with tree bark collected by the bride and groom on their many hikes together. Even our post-ceremony couples photos included a hillside hike that made them both beam with joy. (Yes, the bride was happy about hiking up her wedding dress and tromping through dirt. That’s because she is awesome.) But it wasn’t just the decor that had personal meaning, they had a ceremony duet by Maggie and Jordan, who both attend their church, a ceremony led by the bride’s step father, a solo by the groom’s father, hand-churned apple cider that turned into team effort, dinner by local favorite A Bowl of Good, a cake baked by the bride’s uncle and iced on the spot and live music by local band Many Nights Ahead to keep the reception lively.
From start to finish, guests smiled and hugged and celebrated their joy. To close the evening, everyone gathered outside while the couple attempted to light a paper lantern as the wind gusts picked up. There on that hill in Linville, we all stood together under millions of stars as the groom’s father began singing “This Little Light of Mine”…and all the guests joined in. It felt very symbolic to hear this beautiful sound coming from their loved ones, surrounding them, in the complete darkness.
And of course….a few of my favorite sillies!
Fink Wedding
It’s not uncommon for me to tear up when the crowd rises to welcome the bride. It’s emotional. The moment is slowed and you can see clearer, feel the air around you and the sound of a crying baby fades into the distance. When it’s one of my best friends that happens to be in that bridal gown, clasping her Daddy’s arm…well, let’s just say I’m thankful I have a camera to hide behind…as I say a quick prayer that auto-focus is doing it’s job because everything is blurry through the tears. Crystal Folmar was my roommate when she met Brad Fink. After their first date she was long gone in la-la-Fink-land. I knew it was only a matter of time before I would stare at them from behind my camera lens and document their special day. This event couldn’t have been more perfect for the two of them. We’re talkin’ cowboy boots, a barn party, homemade food, the smell of barbecued chicken and pork filling the air, country music, Loretta-style-ruffles, green grass, blue skies, tears of joy, belly toning laughter, endless brew and lots and lots of love. Hit play on your favorite country playlist and enjoy their special day through the photos below.
Renee
To describe Renee in a word: genuine. If something is funny – she laughs. If someone is in need – she longs to help. If she sees beauty – she declares it…then paints it. I believe her heart is heavy because it’s made of gold. I had the pleasure to do not one, but two shoots with Renee. The first was a casual shoot at my studio. The second was the following day in an old abandoned building near my house. I paired her classic beauty with a fur coat, a hat and some fiery red lips.
Part I
Part II
Kinman Family {mini}
I love photographing families more than once. It’s such a pleasure to help them document the stages of their lives. I photographed sweet Noah and his mom and dad about a year ago and good grief has this boy grown! My afternoon with the Kinman Family was filled with the bright Sunday sunshine and lots of warm smiles. 
Sumner Wedding
May the wind be at your back. …and in your face and up your nose and through your hair and…well, you get it. The day was windy, to say the least. When I arrived at the scenic Barn at Kline’s Mill, to the view of rolling hills and 360˚ blue skies all around me, the breeze grabbed a hold of me and nearly gave me whiplash – jolted me right into photo mode quicker than my morning coffee. Good thing, too, because I was in for a photographic treat of a wedding!
This wedding marks a record for me. It was just held on November 2…which means I cranked this sucker out in a whopping two weeks! That never happens…but I couldn’t help it really. The joy of the day was so contagious it followed me home. Plugging in my camera was like opening a really awesome gift. Catie and Daniel hosted their wedding like it was their job and everything was hand touched and personalized. From the homemade wedding arch to the table settings to the wedding dress worn by Catie’s mother and grandmother to the veil that has been worn by every female in Catie’s family to the superhero undershirts worn by the groom and his men. And from the white daisies in empty chairs representing the absence of beloved family members to the superman pin on Catie’s bouquet to memorialize her father to the soil ceremony combining soil from Catie’s hometown (Sterling, VA)/Daniel’s hometown (Blacksburg, VA)/and the town they met and married (Harrisonburg VA). The ceremony included communion served to guests by the almost-bride-&-groom and the wedding cake itself was made by Catie’s aunt! And if that’s not personal enough for you, even the meal was catered by their local favorites such as Mr. J’s Bagel and Deli and Italian Touch which also happened to be the spot of their first date. AND they had a Kline’s Dairy ice cream station with singing and dancing dippers! Their family and friends relaxed and mingled in place of the usual pre-wedding hustle bustle almost as if they were hired to show up and look happy and help out. Talk about a good group of people to be around…I was in the right place. It was great fun to watch this day unfold through my lens and I’m excited to share these images with you.
