To celebrate our 100 years of business, we are asking you to bring your in your wedding photos, family portraits, or other pictures taken by Gitchell's Photography in Harrisonburg over the years. You will receive one free 5x7 print of your favorite photo taken by Gitchell's in Harrisonburg. Simply bring your photos in on May 1, 2009, to our Harrisonburg Photography Studio. We would love to see your old pictures, hear your stories, and enjoy your smiles again!

In early 1909, brother's John and Frank Gitchell bought a photography studio in Charlottesville, VA. John enrolled at the Effingham College of Photography in Illinois to better learn the art and his trade.  To make a very long story short, John and Frank Gitchell married sisters, Allie and Mary Omohundro. All the Gitchell’s were in business together until 1934 when John sent his wife Allie to find a place they could settle down, raise a family and run their own studio. 

Later that year, John and Allie purchased the Deane photography studio in Harrisonburg, VA, and soon after changed the name to Gitchell’s. In 1951 their son John Gitchell, Jr. joined in the family business. Then, in 1954 Gitchell's Photography purchased the building in downtown Harrisonburg that still serves as the Gitchell Photography studio.  

John Jr. continued the fine photography tradition established by his family. Times had changed since 1909, and many people now had their own cameras. With the changing times, John Jr. used his photography expertise to become one of the largest film processors in Virginia, serving a wide area that encompassed the entire Shenandoah Valley and beyond. 

In 1979 John’s daughter Christa joined the business shadowing her father until she took over the operation In 1986 when her fathers health was failing. Christa proudly continues the Gitchell tradition of excellence in photography. Like her father, Christa kept pace with the changing times, and transitioned the business to meet the new demands of the digital age.

It's now 2009, and for 100 years the Gitchell family of photographers has enjoyed the privilege of photographing the special moments in your lives. Providing Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley with Three Generations of Excellence in photography.