KAITLYN

Filed under: animals,friends,just because,love,portraits,seniors — admin at 7:12 am on Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Kaitlyn will be a freshman in college this year and for her graduation present I gave her a photo session of her choice!

She wanted some pictures with her kitty, Topanga – her boyfriend, Zac – and her horse, Honey.

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I LOVE those shots!

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And these mushrooms were just begging to be photographed!

Thanks so much Kaitlyn – it was a great sesson!

Have a FANTASTIC time at college!

*C* FAMILY

Filed under: family,kiddos,portraits — admin at 8:53 am on Monday, August 30, 2010

Mandy saw one of my business cards at a business in Troy – and gave me a call to schedule her family session!

We met in Troy in early August and got some great shots!

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Isn’t she so cute!

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I’m glad we were able to fit you guys in! Thanks so much!!

LEE & CHRISTY – 7.31.10

Filed under: marry me,wedding — admin at 10:51 am on Sunday, August 29, 2010

Lee & Christy were married on a beautiful July day – the last day of the month!

They had a GREAT wedding party and were so relaxed and fun!

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How gorgeous is she?

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I love that series!!

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It was a GREAT night!!! Thanks again Lee & Christy!!

*M* TURNS TWO

Filed under: babes,family,kiddos,portraits — admin at 12:00 am on Saturday, August 28, 2010

*M* is pretty much my favorite kiddo on the planet. She is my best friend’s daughter – and she is a riot!

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I LOVE HER!

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SO SWEET!!!

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She was tuckered out after our session!

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She is the sweetest thing – EVER!

*S* FAMILY

Filed under: babes,family,kiddos,portraits — admin at 9:25 am on Friday, August 27, 2010

I met Peggy while I was taking the *O* family photos – and we set up a session for her sweet family!

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We share a LOVE for purple!

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I love those shots!!

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I am so glad you guys drove over for our appointment! Thanks again!!!

LAEL & MARK – 7.11.10

Filed under: love,marry me,wedding — admin at 8:21 am on Thursday, August 26, 2010

Lael & Mark were married on July 11th, a BEAUTIFUL day!

They had a moving ceremony and a fabulous reception with tons of dancing!!!

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Mark’s mom and Lael – what a sweet moment!

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LOVE THOSE SHOTS!!!

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This was a BEAUTIFUL moment – the choir was amazing!!!

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Mark sang to Lael with Ithacappella – it was AMAZING!

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It was a GREAT night – thank you so much Lael & Mark!

*C* TURNS ONE

Filed under: babes,kiddos,portraits — admin at 7:41 am on Wednesday, August 25, 2010

I took family photos for Billie in March and we made an appointment for her son’s 1st birthday session!

He is a CUTIE!!

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HOW CUTE IS HE!

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Those shots are my FAVORITE!!!

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I had to take a few shots of his sweet sister too!

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Billie – thank you again for a GREAT session!

WAITING

Filed under: baby barden,bardenisms,family,friends,just because — admin at 12:35 pm on Tuesday, August 24, 2010

I hate waiting. I really don’t know of anyone who enjoys waiting – except maybe my mother-in-law but she is a crazy exception!

I like to read the end of books before I start them. I would much rather go into a movie knowing the end first. It’s just the type of person I am – and have always been.

I have waited 6 years for barden photography to be what it is today. Here is a little history of the beginnings of barden photography.

In 2003 – my college friend Jeremiah asked me to photograph his wedding. To this day I still haven’t seen the photos. they bought the rolls, I took the pictures, and gave the rolls back to them. It was my first wedding and the only pictures I took for other people that year.

In 2004 – Dave Fitzgerald asked me to photograph his family for Christmas. I gave them the rolls and have only ever seen a few of those photos! It was the only pictures I took for other people that year.

In 2005 – I photographed 2 weddings – both were on film and both were for friends. James & Laura were married in October and I am so thankful they trusted me enough to allow me to capture their day. I made mistakes. I put people out in direct sunlight without thinking about shadows. Belinda & Nate were married in December at the same church and the same reception hall as James & Laura – so it was a little easier! It was a beautiful Christmas wedding! I also took photos for a family for their Christmas cards!

In 2006 – I photographed 6 weddings – most of them were for friends and were for experience. I had 1 engagement session, 1 senior session, and 1 portrait session.

In 2007 – word spread a little more and I photographed 6 weddings. I had 1 engagement session, 7 seniors, and 15 portrait sessions.

In 2008 – it started to get a little crazy. I photographed 10 weddings, 3 engagement sessions, 7 seniors, 26 portrait sessions, and sold 2 of my nature prints. In November of 2008 I started to realize that this could be my full-time job. This could really happen! I prayed and prayed that I would be able to get 24 weddings for 2009 and I would be able to quit my job as a secretary. I would be able to live my dream job!

In 2009 – I had my first BRIDAL EXPO in January and it was INCREDIBLE! I gave a 10 week notice at my job to leave on March 31st of 2009. During those 10 weeks – our friend Dave Fitzgerald called us and wanted to speak to the whole family – Jared, me, Mom and Dad B – he had a word for us. He told me specifically that God had revealed to him that barden photography was going to grow. It was going to get to a point where I would be overwhelmed with inquiries and work. To just wait – and see. For the first year of barden photography – officially – I had 24 weddings, 1 after the wedding session, 14 engagements, 32 seniors, 73 portrait sessions, 10 promotional jobs, 5 sports sessions, sold 1 nature print, and sold 6 gift certificates for family sessions. It wasn’t overwhelming. I didn’t think anything of the conversation we had with Dave earlier in the year.

8 months into 2010 – I’ve had 20 weddings, 1 after session, 2 bridal sessions, 12 engagements, 12 seniors, 78 portrait sessions, 3 promotional jobs, sold 1 nature print and sold 1 gift certificate. I am overwhelmed with inquiries for sessions. I am looking at how many I have scheduled for the rest of the year – and it’s amazing to me! Impossible!

2003. 1 wedding.

2004. 1 session.

2005. 2 weddings. 1 session.

2006. 6 weddings. 3 sessions.

2007. 6 weddings. 23 sessions.

2008. 10 weddings. 38 sessions.

2009. 24 weddings. 142 sessions.

8 months into 2010. 20 weddings. 110 sessions.

I am so thankful for all that God has given me through barden photography over the years – from the very beginning when a friend had faith in me to capture his wedding to the moments right now and the moments many years down the road.

Now we wait again. We wait for a child. I have known from the moment I can remember that I’ve wanted to be a mother. That I was meant to be a mother. 2009 was a year for change. I quit my job – started a new one – we got a puppy – and found out we were going to be parents. We waited for our first appointment and waited more when the image I knew I was supposed to see wasn’t there. We waited for our baby to miscarry – waited to start trying again. Here we are – a year and a half later – still waiting for a miracle. Praying for a baby – our baby.

On March 28th of this year – Jared’s mom was given a word in church. That our children would rise up like mighty oaks. Our children.

On April 11th of this year – Dave called us again with a word for us. We would have children. Lots of them – running around in our yard – jumping on trampolines – and they would be our biological children – they would all look like Jared.

On August 15th of this year – we met with our Pastor – because I am angry, tired, sad, and weary. He told us that God has children for us – our biological children. But first we must open our hearts to the notion of taking in a child that is not ours – biologically.

So we wait and pray.

Because we are all waiting – for something.

For a new job – a spouse – a baby – a moment alone – a day without worrying about your weight – a friend – and for Jesus to come back.

*M* – SIX WEEKS

Filed under: babes,family,kiddos,love,portraits — admin at 7:46 am on Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Shannon and Terry work with Jared – and are the sweetest people!

They had their miracle in early June and I got to photograph her at 6 weeks – so sweet!

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I love those two!!

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COUSIN LOVE!

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I can’t wait to capture *M* as she grows – thank you again guys!!!

AMBER WAVES OF GRAIN

Filed under: bardenisms,just because,scenery — admin at 9:21 am on Monday, August 23, 2010

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SO PEACEFUL!!

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