Julie and her family were nominated by Amy in the BEAUTIFUL contest this year!

They recently adopted *J* and Amy wanted Julie to be able to enjoy a photo session with her NEW family!

PERFECTION! Adoption is such a beautiful – amazing – wondrous gift! It’s amazing when you think that God KNEW that *J* would be with Julie and her family – long before any of them knew it!

Amy – thank you SO MUCH for nominating Julie and her amazing family!

Julie – thank you for sharing your heart with me and for being an amazing testimony of love and commitment!

*N* and his family were some of the FIRST winners of the BEAUTIFUL contest – in 2010! (I think it was 2010 – I tend to lose track of time!)

He is such a cute little guy and is getting SO big!

It’s an absolute miracle that I have him in front of my lens. This little guy has been through more than most of us will go through in a lifetime – having several surgeries on his little heart!

Jackie – thank you SO much for having me capture your miracle! I am truly blessed by your little man!

So the “contest” got off to a pretty slow start – then it totally overshot my expectations!

Here’s the thing – I never wanted to be a photographer for the money – sure – I needed to make money to make it work and quit my secretary job – but it was never because of money.

God has blessed me – us – immensely in this beautiful journey! The moment I stop giving back that blessing is the moment I need to stop doing this “job” –

ANYWAY –

This one was a tough one – I read through them and then through them again – and then again – narrowing it down to 3 winners – not the normal 2!

Before I announce the winners I want to say THANK YOU to everyone that submitted a family for the contest. I loved reading all your entries and have been blessed because of it!

For those of you who did submit a family and that family didn’t win the FREE session – I am offering a special!

If you would like to gift that family a session you can get that session at a discounted rate of $125 (travel may have to be added on) if you send the deposit by 3.31.2012!

So let me know via email – dcbarden@gmail.com!

CONGRATS to the –

*B* family – Phil & Michelle and their kiddos!

*M* family – Rich & Julie and their kiddos!

*W* family – Ben & Beth and their kiddos!

Some awesome people love you!

Thank you again SO MUCH! I cannot wait for BEAUTIFUL 2013!

BARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY – BEAUTIFUL

I am starting a new program: BEAUTIFUL.

I will be awarding 2 families a photo session.

Email me @ dcbarden@gmail.com – write a paragraph or two about a family you know (or YOUR family) that deserves a FREE photo session.

I will be choosing 2 families from the entries and announce the winners on May 1st. The deadline for the submissions will be April 15th.

Make sure to tell me WHAT MAKES THEIR (or your) FAMILY BEAUTIFUL.

I can’t wait to read your submissions!