Melanie and I met on FACEBOOK and through my blog – we were both struggling with not getting pregnant and wanting a sweet baby. We met up for lunch a few times and she made Fitzy his favorite blanket – which I call his “melanie”. When Fitzy was born she came to the house to see us and had just found out she was pregnant with her own miracle – but was still keeping it a secret!

I have been praying and praying for Melanie and her husband to be blessed with a sweet one – and now our boys will grow up together!

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE those shots!!!

Melanie has been wanting that last shot for maternity photos FOREVER! We call it the “dave & jenna” since I first took it with them!

Melanie – I am so thankful that our paths have crossed and am SO HAPPY for you!

I’ve known Trudy since the fall of 1999. She was one of the first faces that greeted me when I walked into my dorm at Philadelphia University. I didn’t want to be there. I didn’t want to stay away from my family – I wasn’t ready for this! She was my RA and went above and beyond any duties she may have had that year!

She helped me get through the homesickness. She let me stay in her room when I needed a break from my roommates. She stayed up with me and talked. She let me cry on her shoulder.

When December came and it was time to leave – I was ready to stay. I had made the decision to transfer to Mansfield University – about 40 minutes from home – instead of 4 hours.

Trudy and I stayed in touch and made a point to see each other once a year – sometimes once a semester. I helped introduce her to Jesus! We wrote many, many emails back and forth. About school – God – boys – just life in general!

She was a bridesmaid in my wedding in 2004 and when she called me earlier this year to ask if I would be in hers – I was SO excited for her!

As some of you know – I have control issues. I think I can take on the world sometimes. I said – well I would LOVE to photograph your wedding but I would love to be a bridesmaid. I did both at Johna’s wedding and my sister’s wedding – I can do it! I just needed someone to come with me to take the photos that I am in! Usually my Aunt Lori does that job – thank goodness for her! But this was a 7 hour drive to Virginia – leaving on a Thursday and coming back on a Sunday.

My dear friend and fellow AMAZING photographer – Megan Hampton – kindly volunteered to go with me! It was a GREAT trip – we talked the whole way – making the drive seem SO much quicker! We get along really well and worked together smoothly. She took amazing photos for my dear friend and I am so thankful for that!

Any of the photos in this post that DO NOT have the “db” circle next to the barden photography text are photos that Megan took and I edited.

Scott surprised Trudy with these pearls at the rehearsal dinner!

I love Trudy’s dress – especially in this photo!

Megan took the photos of Trudy getting ready while I went outside with the guys!

I love love LOVE those shots! I don’t know why lately – but I am so in love with out of focus bride photos!

LOVE THOSE SHOTS! Thank you SO MUCH Megan!

Scott only have ONE request – he HAD to have a picture of all the guys with their socks!

TRUDY – you’re married!!!!

I LOVE those perspectives!

Megan – THANK YOU AGAIN FOR EVERYTHING! You are an amazing photographer and a fantastic friend!

Trudy – I am SO SO SO happy for you! I love you dearly!

My friends had their little guy in December of last year and we had to get their baldness together!

HOW CUTE ARE THEY?!

We met Aszur and her boys for dinner at the end of August – mostly to trade babies and snuggle!

Their property is GORGEOUS so we took advantage of the time and got some family photos!!

Such HANDSOME boys!!

Our little family!!

OH MY HEART! I just LOVE those shots! Thank you so much Aszur!

I’ve known Amy for almost SEVEN years – CRAZY! I love love LOVE taking pictures of her girls!

Gotta get a kissing picture of the twins – I wonder how long we can make them do this?

They had to love on Fitzy – and he LOVED them!!

Thanks so much Amy – they are getting so big!

I have known Belinda since middle school – we met at Athens Wesleyan Church! We both went to Mansfield University and now live one town away from each other! She and her hubbie had a sweet miracle boy in January – after years of heartache and trying! He is absolutely ADORABLE! They were in town recently and stopped by to see us!

I LOVE that face!

*C* is three months and one day older than Fitzy!

I like to think that *C* is saying – “oh the things you will learn in the next three months” – to Fitzy!

Belinda – I am SO thankful that we are able to experience this miraculous time together! And that I have someone to call and reassure me every now and then!

I have taken pictures of *E* since he was in his momma’s belly! Nicole & Dustin have become good friends over the past year! *E* turned one in July!

WHAT A HANDSOME BOY!!!

Keep an eye out for his AWESOME birthday party in the next few weeks!

We spent the evening with our friends Ronda & Lew about a month ago – and their three CRAZY kiddos!

I’ve discovered that the best way to get kids to cooperate is to play the faces game – gimme a sad face – happy face – mad face – silly face – works EVERY SINGLE TIME!

Brothers – and they are ALWAYS this lovely to each other – right Ronda?

Monster face and silly face – LOVE LOVE LOVE this little man!

Happy faces and silly faces to end the night!

Thank you so much for the dinner – the friendship – the laughs – the glimpses of what we are in for with kiddos!

We love you guys!

Johna is my BFF! We met at Phoenix Rehab almost SIX years ago! She was applying for the Clinical Secretary position and was hired! We hit it off right away! She met and married Matt and asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding AND it was among the first that I photographed! We have so much in common and I can’t imagine my life without her! She was in the room with me when we had Fitzy until Samm got there – she has been so good at checking in on me and making sure I get out of the house! We can be totally honest with one another and vent to our heart’s content with any judgement! It’s a beautiful friendship!

Johna has been so supportive of my photography business and encourages me every step of the way! She is now starting HER own business – Be … Skin Salon – facials, skin care, waxing, and make up!

Her little girl *M* turned THREE in June and we found a little time to take some family photos!

THIS is how the session started out – *M* isn’t the most serious child …

BUT – she does know how to turn on that smile for me!

We play the game of faces – gimme a sad face, mad face, happy face, angry face – the one on the left was her mad face!

Along with Fitzy & Rowyn – she is my favorite child on the planet!

She LOVES her babies – and she LOVES her baby Fitzy!

She LOVES being a goofball!

That shot might be my favorite!

Matt & Johna – she is SO sweet!

OH MY WORD – LOVE THOSE ONES!

THIS is one of the many reasons I love them! What a beautiful memory!

BE STILL MY HEART!

Johna – thank you for being YOU! I am so happy that God intended for us to be friends! LOVE YOU DEARLY!

In November of 2009 – I think – Aszur contacted me through FACEBOOK! I had taken pictures at Mandy & Jason’s wedding and she was good friends with Mandy. Aszur was trying to start a photography business and was interested in learning more of how I got to where I was. I found out that she was a fellow lover of Jesus and we had the same type of personality – we hit it right off! I asked her to shadow me at a wedding in December of 2009 and we have been great friends ever since! She came along as a second photographer or as an assistant for the majority of the summer last year! Now her photography business has taken off!

Aszur found out she was pregnant with their third baby soon after we found out about Fitzy – it has been exciting going through it together! When I mentioned birth photography and the desire to have Bridget photograph ours – Aszur knew it was something she wanted too! I told her that I would totally be that person if she wanted! I was on call for the birth and waited impatiently for that text!

We were having dinner with Matt & Johna when I got the text to head to Sayre – ASAP! I already packed everything for the baby earlier that day just in case! We ran home and packed a bag for my parents overnight – drove to their house – dropped the baby off with mom while Jared slept and I headed to the hospital! I got there at about 11.45 PM – wishing that it was daylight for beautiful light flowing in the windows – but Jamison was ready to come out NOW!

As soon as I got there Aszur got her epidural and laid down to relax a little before the excitement really began! Once she knew it was time to push – it wasn’t long before he made his appearance. She got him out in 3 really good pushes when it was all said and done! It was beautiful! I cried. I laughed. I felt so honored to be a part of such a beautiful miracle!

I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do!

Right after the epidural!

The calm …

and the storm …

Aszur was a ROCK STAR!

AHH! THE MOMENT!

Aszur & Dave – thank you SO MUCH for asking me to be a part of Jamison’s birthday! I love you guys!!