I met Ashley on FACEBOOK – not sure through who or why – but so thankful we did! She and her hubby have the same nerdy, sarcastic sense of humor and life that we do and I am always telling her that we must have been long lost bff’s.

Just so happens that her little guy was born on Fitzy’s due date and Fitzy was born on *M*’s due date – leaving them a week apart!

*M* is SO SO SO chubby and cuddly!

SO CUTE!

Ashley – CANNOT wait to get together and introduce our little guys! So happy we finally met in person!

Vicki and I have had this session set up for quite a while – and of course it would rain that afternoon! We made it work though!

LOVE THOSE ONES!

LOVE those last shots!

Vicki – thanks for braving the rain!

I met the *R* family last year when I took their photos! I cannot believe it’s been a year since I’ve seen these sweet faces!

Little *P* was so cold – so we kept her wrapped in that blanket as long as we could!

AWE!

I cannot wait to meet your new addition soon! Thank you so much for coming over! I love that you got to meet Fitzy!

Sometimes I’m a jerk. Sometimes I talk about people and get mad about things that never really happened – I just like to think they did. Sometimes I get jealous – really really jealous. Sometimes I state my opinion when in fact it would have been better in the long (and short) run if I had kept it to myself. Sometimes I’m selfish.

I want to be the hands & feet of Jesus – to go where He sends me. But I don’t want to be a jerk doing it.

Since starting barden photography – I’ve had the opportunity to mentor a few aspiring photographers – and it always seemed to burn me in the end. I’ve lost clients because bringing on an assistant didn’t work. I’ve lost clients to the people that were starting a business. I’ve been very VERY upset about this. I’ve felt cheated and hurt and in some ways betrayed. It’s been about MY feelings. I forget that I once was an aspiring photographer whose friends supported me. I started out at lower prices and clients came to me instead of “better – more established” photographers. I didn’t think of any of this then – because I wasn’t getting hurt. I’ve apologized and asked for forgiveness. I’m sure I’ve missed people. So – if I’ve been short when you asked for advice, if I’ve written a status on facebook that hurt you (which is a WHOLE other blog in itself) – if I haven’t encouraged you and supported you – I apologize.

When I decided to become a “photographer” and start my own business – I didn’t even think about having babies in the picture. Photography was my identity. Everything depended on the amount of clients and what clients stayed “loyal” to me. I’m having a VERY hard time with facebook lately. There are LOTS of photographers popping up all over – and I see my beautiful clients in their photos – and I think “why aren’t they in mine?” It shouldn’t matter – it doesn’t matter – in the long run. Why? Because it’s not why I’m here. It’s been an added bonus – but it’s not why I live and breathe. I live and breathe to share the love of Jesus. To be His hands and feet. To be a daughter – a sister – a niece – a friend – a wife – a mother. It’s awesome that God has given me this gift and vision to capture people. I’m thankful for that – and for all of you that I’ve met.

I’m not booking as quickly as I used to – and sometimes I freak out about that. I know that I am not the best – I know that I’m not the cheapest – I know that I am not that friend you are supporting with their new business. It still hurts. It still sucks. BUT – I am a momma now. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE spending time with this little boy. He is growing faster than I could have ever imagined and I feel like I am missing out – even though I am home with him. I have friends I’ve been praying for that are having babies. I have 20+ more friends that I am praying for to be blessed with babies. And I know that God is nudging me to focus on being a momma and a wife and a child of God – and a sister and a niece and a daughter and a friend.

And His hands and feet.

Stacy has such a SWEET baby girl that I loved cuddling! I just can’t believe how tiny babies are – it doesn’t seem like Fitzy was EVER that small!

How cute is she!!

Stacy – thank you so much for welcoming me into your home to capture this beautiful time!

Today is Fitzy’s 7 month birthday!

Starting last night at 6 and ending at midnight tonight – I am running a special!

EMAIL me at dcbarden@gmail.com to schedule your session or SESSIONS for 2012 and get $50 off per session!

I will need your deposit of $100 in my mailbox by Saturday – December 10th!

In your EMAIL give me some dates that you would like to schedule – we MUST book the session today with a concrete date. Emails that are received tonight till midnight will be locked in as long as the deposit is received by December 10th!

In 2012 I will be taking sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays – you can check out my schedule to see what is open!

This special WILL NOT apply to mini-sessions if I decide to hold them or currently scheduled/booked appointments.

HAPPY SHOPPING!

And because a post from a photographer isn’t a post without a photo – check out my sweetness – happy 7 months my love!

I met Brandi on FACEBOOK! We set up a session for her little guy in early November and we got a BEAUTIFUL day!

Look at that face!! SO SWEET!

Brandi – thank you SO much for meeting me! *B* is so cute and I had a GREAT time!

Do you believe in miracles?

I do. I’m not gonna lie – there was a time that I didn’t know if I did or not. Maybe for other people but not for me.

Missy and I talked many times about that very thing. I met Missy through my blog and FACEBOOK. We were both struggling with miscarriages and infertility. We both had (Missy & Cody still have) great danes. We clicked. We cried together. We had doggy dates. We prayed for each other.

Missy & Cody were at a point after several miscarriages and surgeries where their only options were in vitro or adoption. Their first in vitro experience was miraculous. They are now expecting a sweet baby boy next month!

I LOVE those shots!

BEAUTIFUL!

Missy & Cody – I am SO thankful that God crossed our paths and we traveled this road together! I cannot wait to meet *A* and watch our babies grow up together! We love you!

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!

My new favorite – MATERNITY! It’s always been a favorite but lately I’ve been doing more and more and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the results!

Kelly called me about pictures of her little guy and I knew right away I had to squeeze her in!

I love when clients trust my vision!

I really firmly believe that God is using me to tell baby stories. I know the heartache and struggle of losing a baby – trying to get pregnant – being told there isn’t a very big chance you might ever be – and then when you least expect it – you are! I am so thankful for this gift God has blessed me with!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE that last picture! My new favorite!!