Hess Family

Posted on November 4, 2015 by bsome under Children, Family

Ebersold Family

Posted on October 22, 2015 by bsome under Children, Couples, Family, Portraits, Uncategorized

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

Posted on October 13, 2015 by bsome under Weddings

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

Posted on September 11, 2015 by bsome under Weddings

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

Posted on August 11, 2015 by bsome under Children, Couples, Dogs, Family, Horses

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.

Murray Wedding

Posted on July 21, 2015 by bsome under Weddings

Dawn and Scott got married in their backyard’s backyard. That’s right, if you walk through the backyard, just over a family-built foot bridge, passed the territorial rooster and the curious goats, the trees will open up to a beautiful panorama view. Right there on that patch of land, you’ll find all the joys of Fulks Run: mountains, corn fields, green grass and a flowing river. A beautiful location for a wedding celebration. Dawn was escorted down the path by her two sons and she was spilling with joy when she met her groom. Smiles filled the tent from the first moment to the last. The night ended with a friends and family bluegrass jam session, lots of laps through the corn field and a dip in the river.

VanMeter Wedding

Posted on July 16, 2015 by bsome under Uncategorized, Weddings

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.

Hughes Family

Posted on July 7, 2015 by bsome under Children, Family, Uncategorized

This at-home session was held at the Hughes new home in Rockingham County. Hilly country roads led me there on a humid Saturday morning and I was greeted warmly by a very vocal dog, chickens, rabbits, a blue-eyed cat and three sweet children. I’ve photographed Ashley and Bill many times before and I look forward to continuing this tradition. Their family just keeps getting better and better…and bigger!

Turner Wedding

Posted on July 2, 2015 by bsome under Weddings

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

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.