Kirsch-Lilly

Posted on March 5, 2014 by bsome under Couples, Engagement, Portraits

I recently met with Brittney and Jr at Bella Luna to talk wedding details. eee! Before I knew it, we were knee deep in plans for a Richmond engagement session. Jr’s band, Driven By Chance, had a show in RVA and I was traveling to the area for a project, so it seemed like the best.idea.ever! And it was. The universe smiled on us that Saturday morning…the only Saturday since the new year without the threat of a snowstorm or a tornado. <–that really happened the day before the shoot. There were puddles and birds and blue skies and sunshine…all the teasers of spring. We packed our heavy coats in the trunk, dusted off our sunglasses and made our way to the always lovely, Belle Isle.

With tummies grumbling and the road home calling us, we grabbed a bite at Millie’s Diner and inched our way home. A unanimous decision to detour led us to Castle Hill where the light poured as golden as the cider.
L-I-L-L-Y…incase you didn’t catch that. 😉

Newton Family

Posted on January 16, 2014 by bsome under Children, Couples, Family

I met with the Newton Family on a day with a forecast of 100% chance of rain. All day. When they arrived at my studio, the rain stopped and it didn’t come back until the very last set of shots! Yesss. There is so much love in the Newton Family…like a sunshine-followings-them-around kind of love. 🙂

Hughes Sisters

Posted on January 8, 2014 by bsome under Children

Personality is an understatement. These girls are full of life and entertainment. I met with the Hughes Sisters at MOD Displays in Downtown, Harrisonburg. Why meet at an office? Well this office is owned by the girl’s parents and it offered the perfect space for a mini-session. Lots of light. Lots of space. And perfectly stark to let little personalities bounce from wall to wall. When I arrived they were mid-coloring session but soon enough they were striking poses and showing me their human frog and dinosaur impressions. Oh what fun it is to be a kid! They invited me upstairs to “Daddy’s office” and gave me a crash course on how to run a business. From phone calls to keyboard…stuff to concentration faces to the max. At the end of the session they hopped back up to the table, grabbed their crayons and got back to work.

Jenner Family {mini}

Posted on January 7, 2014 by bsome under Couples, Dogs, Family, Newborn, Uncategorized

When I asked Rachel to say something to make Andrew laugh, she uttered “explosive diarrhea” without skipping a beat. Ok, it’s like that. And it worked – we all laughed. Except for Alexander who sat comfortably in his freshly changed outfit with a look of guilt across his face. What a sweet little laundry maker.

Rachel and Andrew invited me into their home to spend some time with them, their sweet dog, Foster, and their new baby boy, Alexander. I love love holding a session in someone’s home. I’ve been a guest in the Jenner house many times but never for the purpose of photography…and that changes things. I love seeing the way people live, unapologetically, on a day-to-day basis. I love the way coats rest and dish towels hang and blankets are tossed and plants bask in the sun. I love the smells. The sounds. The light. And on this particular occasion, the baby and his furry big brother were pretty easy on the eyes too.

Wes & Ava {mini}

Posted on December 13, 2013 by bsome under Children, Family, Portraits, Uncategorized

Ava is no stranger to the photo-game. (and here) When I was asked to do a session with her and her daddy, I was thrilled. We met in my studio because the weather was downright nasty outside. One thing became apparent very quickly, Ava looooooves her dad.

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!

Sydney & Alison {mini}

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

It took all of about five clicks of my shutter for these two sisters to get used to me and my camera. As the session went on, they became more and more comfortable being their silly self in front of me. So many giggles echoing through the branches. What fun it was to watch their unique personalities shine through!

Lucas Family {mini}

Posted on November 30, 2013 by bsome under Children, Couples, Family, Portraits

I am not (completely) losing my mind. I know that I just posted a Lucas Family session last week but if you know the Lucas’s, you know that there is absolutely no way I could fully capture them in a thirty minute time frame. So naturally, we set up a second session. These people are like family to me and it’s such a great feeling to have reciprocated support from fellow hardworking community members. Below you will see the side of them I love so much: pure silliness. What started as a photo session by the river turned into a laugh-fest on the train tracks. Never a dull moment.

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.

Jen & Shawn’s Family

Posted on October 19, 2013 by bsome under Children, Couples, Family

It was only a 5% chance of rain. No need to reschedule the shoot, right? The 5% must have been right on top of the covered bridge in Mt. Jackson because just after three clicks of my shutter, the rain began to fall. Luckily, I was hanging out with the coolest-family-on-the-block! Their warmth and love made the evening brighter. And talk about silly. There is enough silly in that little boy for the whole family…not that they need any help in that department. So much laughter and fun!