Bishop Wedding

Posted on November 24, 2014 by bsome under Couples, Portraits, Weddings

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!

Hughes Family {mini}

Posted on December 1, 2013 by bsome under Children, Couples, Family, Portraits

When Ashley asked me to do photos of her family for a second time, I was pumped! The first session was last spring and involved massive storm clouds and chickens. Now, here it is fall and her babes have grown so much! We met at the park for a mini-session filled with beautiful sunlight, homemade cookies and a warm blankie for Daddy. Haha! What fun these guys are!

The kids took off to play with their Dad so I grabbed Ashley for a few solo shots in the remaining sunlight. What a beauty she is!

Moyers Boys {mini}

Posted on December 1, 2013 by bsome under Children, Family, Portraits, Uncategorized

These two brothers have a unique relationship that swings from hugs to hits much the same as two tussling puppies: nipping and yapping with tail happily wagging. So full of joy and life! Prepare for many angles of their personalities as you scroll through our session below. I had just as much fun that day as they did!

Yoder Family {mini}

Posted on November 28, 2013 by bsome under Children, Couples, Family

What a pleasure it was to visit the home of Ashley, Josh and Leo. The land their house sits on is a photographic playground and we wasted no time before tromping through the tall grass to their old barns. It was a beautiful day to spend with beautiful people who are a true inspiration to me.

Sumner Wedding

Posted on November 18, 2013 by bsome under Children, Couples, Portraits, Uncategorized, Weddings

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.

Amisha & Braelea

Posted on July 3, 2013 by bsome under Children, Family, Portraits, Uncategorized

Amisha and I have scheduled half a dozen photo shoots in the passed two months but the late spring rain was not falling in our favor. When this day finally came, it was a sunshiny miracle! Braelea, her daughter, hopped out of the car saying “cheeeeese” and flinging phrases like “Oh pickle juice!” around. She is a hoot! Her personality shouts through these images and had me smiling and oohing and EEEing all the way through the editing process. And Amisha! Not only is she gorgeous(!) but she jumped a barbed wire fence with me for a photo op. In a dress. And sandals. Ok so we switched shoes for a hot minute but she was up for it and still looked stunning standing in that wheat field. One tick, an eskimo kiss and a few rosy cheeks later, our session came to an end and we drove away smiling.

Copyright © 2013 · 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.

Hughes Family

Posted on June 14, 2013 by bsome under Children, Family, Portraits

I met the Hughes’ in Dayton one evening to take some photos of their sweet little family. In the distance was a dark skyline creeping up quickly and the farther we drove toward it, the more uneasy I felt. We decided to make a last minute decision and head back to their Harrisonburg home…you know, incase the sky broke open on top of us. Luckily, their backyard is absolutely gorgeous. Green and lush and free of power lines and cityscapes. Comfortable in their own element, the children let their personalities come pouring out. Go ahead and try to get through these photos without laughing. I dare ya.

Benjamin-Oglesby Wedding

Posted on April 2, 2013 by bsome under Children, Family, Uncategorized, Weddings

The beauty of this day truly caught me off guard. I dropped my kids off with their grandpa and hopped on the interstate to Lauren and JoAnn’s wedding. It was a nice day. *for once* I mapped my way to Lauren’s mother’s farm where I found family and friends scurrying around to make sure all the details were in place. I blended into the background for bit to take some photos of the simple and elegant details. Everything fell into place just in time for the ceremony as everyone gathered in the front yard to partake in the front porch union. There was an energy in the air that I hadn’t experienced at a wedding until this day. The birds and the wind and leaves were all on cue. It was a moment I feel so blessed to have shared with the guests that day and it couldn’t have been more reassuring that something spectacular was happening right before my lens.

Flaugh Wedding

Posted on March 27, 2013 by bsome under Horses, Uncategorized, Weddings

This whole bad weather thing is a trend for me. I think storm clouds follow me around. This time, they followed me all the way to Millersburg, Indiana. I was prepared to be cold, I mean – we’re talking about Indiana here. But I was not prepared to be held captive on the second floor of a rickety ol’ barn in the middle of a map-dot for 45 mintues by gail force winds and golf ball sized hail. (I’ve been known to exaggerate.) *Auntie Em! Auntie Em!* I won’t lie, I said a prayer or two. Carrie and Brent were like my flight attendants. You know – when you hit crazy turbulence and you immediately look at the flight attendant’s face? If they’re good-I’m good. If they’re panicking we’re all doomed!! They just smiled and made funny faces and I documented it all with my camera while having an internal meltdown. The storm passed and the sun eventually came out just in time to set. Oh, Indiana. Carrie and Brent’s day couldn’t have been more memorable and I am so happy I was there to be a part of their celebration.

Miller Wedding

Posted on March 26, 2013 by bsome under Portraits, Uncategorized, Weddings

I have photographed Rachel and Daniel’s family in the past and they are so much fun to be around. They’ve made me feel like an adopted member…which I am totally cool with. At one point during the wedding a family member made me put my camera down, fill a plate with food and down a beer. True story. This was a down home, intimate wedding that I am so happy I was a part of .