She handed me a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies. A small gift largely representative of Kayleigh’s giant heart and sweet nature. About a year ago, I took a snapshot of Kayleigh and Brandon as they celebrated their friends wedding. This year, they are in the midst of planning their own wedding and I am thrilled to be the one that will document their special day. For the engagement session, we visited their wedding venue, The Columns at Six Penny Farms. With wonderful views in all directions, on this particular November evening, we enjoyed lovely golden sunlight pouring over rolling mountains.
Tag Archives: photography
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.
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.
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.
Brady Family
The last time the Brady Family invited me to take their family photos, it was just after Donnie’s birth. That session was held at their home in Harrisonburg, Virginia. This go ’round, we met at their second home, their new business: Pale Fire Brewing. Donnie is no longer a wee little baby and in fact, he will soon be a pretty awesome big brother. The Brady’s have had quite a few things brewing these days…
Boggs Family
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. 
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.
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!
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
Brandy Somers Photography 