From start to finish, Sydney, a senior at East Rock, set up her own senior session. She emailed me, we worked out location and scheduling, and she arrived at the Ice House solo…with a smile. My kind of gal – organized, independent, confident. Sydney is a beautiful young lady with thick copper locks worthy of envy. The time we spent together for her session melted away as we walked around Downtown Harrisonburg, chatting, laughing, whipping hair around and, of course, photographing. 
Tag Archives: harrisonburg
Sydney & Alison
I love watching life from behind my camera: bellies growing plump with life, moms and dads getting outnumbered by children, little tiny humans growing into their own personalities. Year after year, it always amazes me. That’s why I love documenting people over and over again. I last met with these sweet sisters two years ago. I remember their session well because it was sandwiched between four other sessions that day and theirs was by far the most energetic. And by energetic I mean my face hurt from smiling, I had grass stains on my knees and I really needed a snack. This year’s session was no different. They brought the jokes and giggles and high fives and hugs…all the good-for-the-soul kind of things. It was wonderful to see Sydney & Alison again and witness their individuality coming to life.
Shipp Family
Hess Family
Ebersold Family
I met with Miranda, Chance and their son Graham at their home in Downtown, Harrisonburg for an at-home family session. The morning was crisp and cool and when I arrived, morning light poured through the stairwell window. It was a pleasure to photograph this beautiful, growing family just months before Graham becomes a big brother. Below are some of my favorites from our session.
Kauffman Wedding
Bobby and Julianne got married at the James Madison University Arboretum on a day that threatened rain with hovering gray skies. Ducks and squirrel played in the distance as guests began to gather under a tent by the pond for the wedding ceremony. As Julianne’s father walked her down the aisle and under the shelter, raindrops fell from the sky. Guests took communion and sat contently with smiles as the couple made promises of forever, sealed with a kiss. The reception was the longest and most lively I’ve witnessed with six hours planned for dinner and dancing. (!) The night went perfectly and new memories were made with the merging of a new family. The happiness was so contagious you could spot the hotel staff, wedding coordinators, videographer and DJ dancing and laughing while working. And then, a requested Metallica song played and I thought surely the banquet room would collapse on itself. The entire room went WILD and somehow the blow-up guitar survived the crowd. It was a sight to see and I’m happy I could be there to document this joyous occasion. Congratulations Julie and Bobby!
March-Lawrence Wedding
Kyle and Whitney’s wedding took place at Cross Keys Barn on one of the clearest, brightest, bluest days of the summer. Their friends and family gathered for pre-ceremony yard games, cocktails and mingling – a good ol’ fashioned backyard-style get-together that is trademark of Harrisonburg. And as if the crisp blue skies weren’t a perfect enough backdrop, Massanutten Mountain and Fridley’s Gap (where Kyle proposed) perched perfectly in the near distance. The ingredients of a postcard. The day carried on as the roar of chatting and laughter among friends grew. There was a happy buzz all around the grounds, in the barn, on the deck, in the front and the back and in every nook and cranny. When I left that evening, I could hear the laughter and feet stomping to the beat of DJ Ryan Clark. I could smell firewood burning as people sat and mingled under the stars. I could see glow-in-the-dark frisbees zooming by the distant mountain peaks. And…I could feel the love. Congratulations on a perfect wedding day, Kyle & Whitney.
Godshall Family
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.
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.
Brandy Somers Photography 