Meat Shmeat

Posted on June 14, 2013 by bsome under Casual, Food, Kids, Spring

A couple Saturdays ago, my friend Danielle invited me and the kids over for a vegan dinner. They were a little skeptical at first. I think it was the mere labeling of a meal as vegan. I mean, they eat fruit and veggies but if I called them vegan fruit and veggies…they may inspect twice before devouring. *kids* As Danielle and I chopped and stirred and chatted about life, the kids played Twister and hung out with her sweet dog Rascal. The aromas and laughter filled the air as they do in the presence of good friends and good food. When the meal was ready and it was time to eat, the kids scarfed down their mac ‘n cheese like it was nobody’s business.

It’s pretty common for me to come with extra kids in tow. 🙂

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.

Field Trip: New Market Battlefield

Posted on June 11, 2013 by bsome under Kids, Spring

Blake is in the 5th grade and this particular field trip was pretty special to him. Not only was it his second-to-last field trip as an elementary school student *gulp* but he is particularly fond of the Civil War. As in, he absolutely knows way more than me about the battles that happened in this area. And I’ve lived here my whole life. My smart little smartypants. I took the day off work to join Blake and his classmates at the New Market Battlefield for a little history lesson.

The two 5th grade classes:

The tour guide explained the symbolism in the stained glass window installation:

Dressing the part of Union and Confederate soldiers:

During the reenactment video Blake didn’t take well to the bloody soldier scene. And by ‘didn’t take well’ I mean he keeled over right beside me and slammed his head on the seat in front of us. Pretty sure that’s the closest I’ve come to a heart attack. The paramedics were called just to be safe and after a few questions they diagnosed him with a weak stomach. Check out the two photos below: 1) pale serious Blake with a paramedic and his teacher in the background and 2) full color Blake, happy and feeding. *shew!*

After lunch we toured the grounds including the Bushong House and the Field of Lost Shoes which was particularly eerie. As the tour ended, dark clouds rolled in followed by a refreshing rain. It was a great day with Blake and his classmates. 🙂

The Field of Lost Shoes

RVA: Mrs. Sarah

Posted on June 4, 2013 by bsome under Art, Food, Richmond, Spring, Wedding

I was more than eager to attend this wedding as a guest. Don’t get me wrong, I love photographing weddings, but having been deprived of guest-status for…a while, I truly appreciated every sip, bite, and free moment of this day. On our way out of town, Ben and I stopped at the Harrisonburg Farmer’s Market for a small bite and a hot coffee. I can never resist those ding dang O’cakes. Lordhavemercy. Then we hightailed it out of the ‘burg to RVA. A little sprucing up in the hotel and we were ready to witness some matrimony. Sarah and Jason created a website for wedding guests that listed some of their recommendations and favorite spots to frequent in Richmond. With a little time to spare we decided to honor the time they took to create such a list and visit one of Jason’s favorite Richmond restaurants: Joe’s Inn. There was no time for the feeding frenzy of which I’m always ready to partake…but we managed to toast the couple with a pair of Guinness and be on our way. ohmyguinness. Just a few short blocks passed under our tootsies and we arrived at the Virginia Center of Architecture where I caught up with some familiar faces. I watched the camera man bounce around doing squats and yoga and core strengthening that I’m convinced only photographers know how to do. I nestled into my chair and enjoyed the chatter. Let’s just be honest here, I’m not sure what I’d do with my hands in most of life’s situations if not for my camera…so of course I had moments where my Canon found it’s way to my face and boomtown: snap happy. The ceremony was light and sweet and Sarah made all the funny faces that I love. I was particularly excited about the reception at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts(!) so I wasted no time in heading that way after the kissy kiss. Plus Joe’s Inn left me with a full bladder. I have a thing for bathrooms and got immediately sidetracked in there. Come to think of it, after looking at my last few sets of photos I’ve discovered I also have a thing for elevators. And freshly made beds. And food…but that’s nothing new. Congrats to Sarah and Jason on their beautiful Richmond wedding!

More Richmond photos HERE!

Spicy Peanut Brittle O’cake. drool

iphone panoramas are so fun!

direction check…Joe’s Inn

Don’t worry, I asked permission before taking this creeper shot.

Ben took the shot above.

FCLIMG_4882

Here’s something I don’t normally see on my camera…pictures of ME:

I couldn’t get enough of the Chihuly garden.

Check out the AWESOME shots by their photographers: http://www.stevenandlilyphotography.com/sarah-and-jason-wedding/

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.

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.