Lindley and I met on FACEBOOK – I’m not really sure how or why – but we have mutual friends in common! She contacted me about doing a senior session for her graduation from college – Philadelphia University to be exact! Which is where I went for my first semester of college!

We had the session set up for Phillie and then the weather was bad and then our schedules didn’t match up – and then she was home on break and we FINALLY fit a session in!

It wasn’t any higher than 28 degrees the whole time but Lindley was a rock star!

LOVE THOSE SHOTS!!!!

How AWESOME are those shoes!!

My favorite shots of the session!!!

Thanks so much Lindley – it was great to finally meet you!

Why are YOU here? On this earth – in THIS country – residing in THIS town – knowing the people that you know?

I know the answer.

To share the good news of Jesus with everyone you meet – everyone you know – everyone you come in contact with!

Do you do it? I don’t. I need to.

Why is it so hard – the people in my life are people that I want to go to heaven – to escape the eternity of hell we all deserve.

There are people that aren’t in my life – that I have never met – the need to know Jesus. EVERYONE needs to know Jesus – everyone needs to be spared the eternity of hell.

Why is it that I can’t talk to my best friends about the importance of accepting Jesus – my grandparents – my aunts and uncles?

Why is it that I can write about it so openly on here – it’s not anonymous – you know who I am.

My aunt L – my DEAR aunt L – recently started an evangelism class. In her class there was a challenge – to share the love of Christ with one person you didn’t know that week. Most of the time I think it’s much easier to share with someone you don’t know than someone you do. If you share with someone you don’t know and they think you are crazy – you don’t have to see them again – most likely! When you share your love of Jesus with someone you know – someone you are close to – and they think you are crazy – you don’t have anywhere to go!

And that reason alone is one of the big reasons why I don’t share the way I should – which is weird because I normally don’t care what people think of me!

So here goes with the first step!

God created the universe – every last ounce of matter! He created you and me. He loves you and me. We sin – every day. Sin separates us from God – Jesus bridges that gap. Jesus is God’s son – who died – for you and me. He takes on our sin so that we don’t have to live in hell for eternity – be separated from God. Ask Him into your heart – ask Him into your life! Ask Him to CHANGE your life – to change the way you think – the way you interact – the way you LIVE!

You will not regret it!!

So I leave you with this challenge – this week share Jesus with someone you don’t know – let me know how it goes!

Next week – share with someone you DO know – someone that doesn’t know Jesus – let me know how it goes!

Praying for your encounters!!

Laura contacted me about doing a session for her sister and their little cousins – as a Christmas present for her sister!

When I got to their house I realized that I knew the little cousins – I photographed them last year!!

SUCH A HANDSOME COWBOY!!

Laura – thanks again for setting up a session! Can’t wait to see you for our next one!!

Dear Enoch –

Today is February 4th – two years ago today we found out we were pregnant with you! We were surprised and excited and nervous and scared!

You are 16 months old in heaven – walking and chattering and laughing and playing with your cousin – who is a year older than you and is probably being the mother hen that I used to be!

We miss you every day and often wonder what you look like – if you would be talking – who you would be charming!

As I sit here and type this little letter to you – your younger brother is kicking me – letting me know that he’s in there. God knew that Fitzy would be your little brother – He knew that he would be in our lives at this exact moment. We know that you are in heaven rejoicing with us right now!

I wanted to let you know that you are still in our hearts and always will be. I look forward to meeting your little brother and wondering what traits you share. Do you have the same eyes – the same color hair – the same little smile? Will he be chubbier than you?

People say that pregnancies last forever – or seem to. The 10 weeks we spent with you on this earth seemed so long – the 18 months of wondering and waiting and praying and crying lasted years – or so it seemed! Being pregnant with your baby brother has flown by though!

We are thankful for the night we had two years ago – learning that we would be your parents – remembering the joy we felt!

We are thankful that we ARE your parents – thankful that you are in the arms of Jesus!

Thank you for what you have shown us – thank you for changing our lives – forever!

Stephani and I met over FACEBOOK! We set up an appointment for her little girl’s 1 year old photos! *A* is a mover and a shaker for sure!

She is so cute!

Thanks again Stephani! Can’t wait to see you in the summer for our next session!

Kelly’s son *A* won the CUTEST KID contest at the Troy Fair this summer! After spending some time with him – I see why!

BABY FEET!!

I love that picture of momma kisses – even though it was an accident and blurry!

WHAT A CUTIE!!!

Congrats again on winning the contest Kelly – I hope to see you again soon!

I had an email from a friend the other day telling me that she overheard some women in a local bridal shop talking about barden photography. The women said that my work was beautiful but just way too expensive for this region. My friend said she spoke up and said – next year you have your memories and your photography left from your wedding. Danielle is the best there is – and totally worth every cent.

This meant so much to me. 1. She spoke up. 2. I DO NOT think that I am the best there is – I would love to approach greatness but never want to get to the point where I sit back and look at my work and say – well – I’ve learned everything there is to learn and can’t get any better. So to hear her say that – means so much! 3. It has taken me quite a while to get here – since 2004 – and I have worked hard to get here. To hear that I am worth every cent – is humbling!

When I have a session with you – it’s not an appointment in a studio. I take the time to get to know what YOU want from the session. You get what I see in your family – the interactions between everyone. I make sure to get all the combinations of your family – any shots that you specifically requested – let your kids be kids and just run around and capture them in their own environment. I adore newborn sessions – I come to your house and we work in your environment. If your baby needs to be fed or changed or cuddled – take that time. We don’t rush through any session – especially a newborn. I don’t just go home and put your pictures on a CD and then send them out to you. I go through and pick out my quick favorites – editing them and putting them on FACEBOOK (or not if you prefer) for you to see as a sneak peek – usually within 2 days of our session. I then go through and look through each photo and edit them. I usually spend about 3 hours total on each portrait session. I then upload them to a photo sharing website and email you the link – and send every image to you – with the rights to reproduce them – on a CD.

Engagement sessions and senior sessions are slightly more – they usually take longer to shoot and longer to edit. If you are a volunteer fire fighter and want a session engineered to that style – we can do that. If you want your car incorporated into your senior session – we can do that. You all know how much I love my dog – so if you are a fellow dog lover and you just have to include your pet – let’s do it. I have to warn you that they might steal the show though! You get the same quality and attention to detail as any portrait session – with your images on a CD to reproduce.

Weddings – oh weddings! I chose this job knowing that weddings happen on Saturdays – normally. In 2010 I had 30 weddings – out of 52 Saturdays – that’s a lot – but I love it! I’m passionate about weddings whenever they occur! For me – communication is the key. We talk before the wedding – you share details – the shot list – the expectations – your feel for your family. At your wedding (I usually arrive 20 minutes early), I go over the layout and chat with the other vendors that are there already. Many times I meet you at a parent’s house or wherever you are getting ready – then travel to the church and then the reception. Wedding schedules are often similar for photographers, but your wedding is perfectly unique – to YOU! I make sure to capture details – those moments that are meaningful to you – the details you have spent hours creating. Whether you purchase a 6 hour – 8 hour – full day package – or something in between – I pour everything into your wedding – and I love every minute!!

I approach your wedding this way – think of me as a guest with a camera. Yes – I will be there for your every moment and need – but I don’t want you to notice me. I will not be in the way – I will not make the day about me – I will not stand in the center of your wedding aisle in front of your parents. I want you to look at your wedding photos and experience such an overwhelming feeling of emotion at the moments captured.

Again – I don’t just come home and put your images on a CD and send them out. I go through each image and edit it – usually spending about 20 hours on each wedding – editing. Custom creating each image to fit YOU! You get all the images on a CD – quality images – and they are yours to keep forever.

You won’t find another photographer that does what I do. We are all UNIQUE – or should be. I love capturing your moments and even more – I love hearing your response to your images.

I can promise that when you book barden photography for ANY session – you will get unique photography that shows who YOU are!

. BE YOURSELF . ALWAYS .

We spent Thanksgiving with our good friends Dave & Christy – in FLORIDA!

Look at those sweet potatoes! SO GOOD!

Christy did such a GREAT job with dinner!

The boys – hard at work!

Christy made potpourri on the stove – smelled so good!

Thank you so much for a GREAT week with you guys!

I met Rachel when I took her maternity photos this summer. I have been looking forward to photographing her miracle!

SHE IS THE SWEETEST!

I love love LOVE those shots – look at those LIPS! Her daddy is gonna have to watch out!

She just melts my little heart!

I could photograph her ALL day!

Rachel – you know that I just love love love her! Thank you so much for allowing me the honor to come into your home and photograph your angel!

I cannot wait till our next session!

Rachel – thank you so much for your baby gift for our Fitzy – I appreciate it more than you know!