Clementine is the New Black

Posted on May 21, 2013 by bsome under Casual, Harrisonburg City, Kids, Music, Spring, Uncategorized

When I heard Frank Black (Black Francis) of the friggin’ Pixies for cryin’ out loud(!) was coming to Clementine, I thought it was a hoax. Well by God, it was truth. And I was there. And so were my kids. And we didn’t even care he had a side boob. Have a looksie at my creeper session with Mr. Black.

…pictures of people taking pictures…

…way passed bedtime…

The autograph was totally worth the yawns.

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.

Lee & Jodi: Side B

Posted on May 20, 2013 by bsome under Casual, People, Side B, Spring

One Saturday evening last month I drove to Roanoke to do an engagement session for one of my best friends. (click here to see it!) Talk about a fun day. Oh mah gooodness. The shoot was a long one but so friggin’ fun and so the saying goes…time flies. As I sat down to upload and edit all the photos and I knew right away I wanted to not only share the sweet good ones but the funny good ones. I swear I laughed a new wrinkle right into my face that day. Here’s a look at what I really see behind that lens….

Me: Just hang out while I test the light.
Them:

Me: Let’s try a piggyback.
Them:

Me: Jodi, is that another tick?
Them:

Me: Lee put your hand in your pocket. …not your arm.
Them:

Me: Just pretend I’m not here for a sec…
Them:

Me: Ok. Now look right at me and smile normal.
Them:

Me: ….
Them: (is that boob grab?)

Me: As you’re driving away, look back at me.
Them:

Me: Big smile!
Them:

Too hot for this website!

Me: Marrying Jodi is like…winning the lottery!
Them:

A little serenade break…

Me: Silly face.
Them: (same face)

And this is why they are perfect for each other.

We ended the night with dinner and a drink. Lookadem two gorgeous people!

photo by Ben Fraits

photo by Ben Fraits

Patio Season

Posted on May 7, 2013 by bsome under Casual, Food, Harrisonburg City, People, Spring

All in the same hour I received two messages: one from Lauren at Clementine asking if I could take some patio shots and one from a ladies group that meets every Wednesday. On this particular Wednesday, the gals were meeting at Clementine to enjoy the warm spring weather on their newly opened outdoor patio. It was a win-win so I joined the girls with camera in tow. They didn’t seem to mind me hiding behind the lens every now and then and joining in on the occasional *cheers!*.

Breakfast For Dinner

Posted on April 27, 2013 by bsome under Casual, Food, People, Spring

I picked the kids up from school and we made a quick stop by the grocery store to grab strawberries, pineapple and Ben. We were heading to Brittany’s house to celebrate Jr’s birthday. Breakfast for dinner. *score* Who doesn’t love breakfast?! Gah. On the way out to their place we noticed some construction near the old train station downtown. The busted out walls exposed some colorful graffiti and since I just-so-happen to have my camera, I couldn’t resist. My kids are well trained models. Then hustle-bustle…off we went. Alex, the dog, went mad when we arrived but was quickly calmed with peanut butter and belly rubs. I feel you Alex. Brittany had an entire buffet prepared complete with oven-baked pancakes, goat cheese grits (!), sausage and egg casserole with sriracha (oh lord), chipped beef cheese dip, homemade cinnamon crumb cake AND MORE. That girl can cook!

I couldn’t decide between color and black and white. So you get both.

Alex and Ella greet guests with a bark.

18 hours at Smith Mountain Lake

Posted on April 16, 2013 by bsome under Casual, People, Spring, Uncategorized

Being fashionably late is kinda Spring’s thing this year. I can’t complain. It really couldn’t have made more of a grand appearance than this passed weekend. Smith Mountain Lake was the spot for the wedding of lovebirds Rahul and Jennifer. The drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway was amazing. Here are a few shots from my fine time with some fine folks.

Oh hay Spring!

What a good looking family.

Happy 7th birthday!

Hey handsome!

Men in suits cleaning up baby vomit.

I’m not really sure what’s happening here.

Bye Bye Beautiful Winter

Posted on April 10, 2013 by bsome under Harrisonburg City, Uncategorized, Winter

Everybody loves to hate on the weather. I mean, ok, I might’ve rolled my eyes at that last snow fall. C’mon April! You’re not even funny anymore. But really, when it comes down to it – I love every season. When my kids were toddlers I would hide bags full of their toys and after about a month or so, I’d swap them out and hide another couple bags. When they got their bag of old toys back they were so stoked to have new toys. Every. Single. Time. That’s what the seasons do for me. Like a big kid. It comes and goes away and comes back and I love it all over again! I love the smells and the new colors and getting out my new-again old clothes and layering and shedding and camping and wood chips and snowfall and the FOOD. Warm soups, crockpots, sweet potatoes, ice tea, sandwiches, burnt marshmallows, corn on the cob, Kline’s ice cream. *shew* These pictures make me wish I owned a snuggie. I shot them with numbed-by-the-cold fingers in February and they are as quiet and cold as the day I took them. Oh, Harrisonburg.

Easter Funday

Posted on April 1, 2013 by bsome under Easter, Food, Kids, People, Spring, Uncategorized

It’s really too bad laughter doesn’t burn more than 1.3 calories per minute because I would feel a lot better about all the food I ate today. With my family, you just never know what will happen next. They are fun, loving and down right entertaining. Here’s a glimpse at our Easter Sunday Funday.

Hell-o spring.

There’s no question that my PawPaw is legit.

Oh yes.

After we ate, we did our annual Easter egg hunt. The adults always try to be extra clever in the hiding spots. See for yourself. Ha!

…in a broom…

…under this handle…

…tucked in the rocks…

…in Luke’s shirt…

…in Aunt Brenda’s hair roller…?

Ready. Set. Go!

Mirra found Brenda’s right away!

Ella found one in Brook’s cup!

Score!

…making sure they found all of them…

Eggcellent rewards.

I wanna play!

Once the kids collected their rewards, they hid eggs from the adults…

Get in line.

Be nice kids!

George, doing things his way.

This is serious business.

…a little friendly competition…

Lastly, a little prank that didn’t go quite as planned. 🙂

Note: airborne plastic egg

…then she threw a real egg…

…and it bounced off his arm, and onto her car…

…but it was still hilarious…

Cabaret with The Judy Chops

Posted on March 25, 2013 by bsome under Cabaret, Music, People, Uncategorized

If you get bored in Harrisonburg, there’s about a 23% chance that you suck at life. There really is something for everyone in this town. On this particular evening, it was my friend’s birthday and we ventured to The Artful Dodger where we were certain we would be thoroughly entertained. And we were right. The Judy Chops played, girls ate fire, some guy danced around on broken glass, and we were oohed and ahhed for a solid hour. Sound like a good time? Good news: this show was only a teaser for a big Cabaret production they’re planning for April at Court Square Theater. Haaaay.

Todd Paints

Posted on March 23, 2013 by bsome under Art, Casual, People, Uncategorized

I’ve known Todd since middle school. Back when we were both skinny little twerps sitting silently on the school bus, staring out the window watching the cows go by. He’s been a great friend through the years and he’s just a darn good person. One evening I was in day three of self-imposed isolation…not because I’m a total freak, but because I had an insane amount of to-dos on my project list. Todd, probably feeling sorry for me, brought his work-his painting-to my house and set up camp in my kitchen. We both worked, in separate rooms, shouting the occasional obscenity and laughing. It was nice to have another living, breathing, adult in my presence for a bit. Not to mention he’s creative and extremely talented.

Bread with Mommy

Posted on March 19, 2013 by bsome under Casual, Food, People, Uncategorized, Winter

Mommy makes the best bread. I asked her to come over one morning and teach me the ropes of her family envied recipe and technique. Her experienced hands showed that dough who’s boss! We made what we call “Three Generation Rolls” where she rolled a small ball of dough and then my daughter and I did the same. We put all three in one muffin pan and it was very obvious which one of the three my mother man-handled. It was grey and cold outside and warm and delicious inside. Hope your not wearing your new shirt ’cause this post is mouth-watering!