*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!

I love this family! I love watching *L* grow and change!

LOOK AT HIS ARM ROLLS! I LOVE IT!

He is so happy and chubby! (Remember that chubby is a HUGE compliment)

TOO CUTE!!

OH MY HEART!

Lauren – thanks so much for asking me to capture your growing boy! I will see you in 3 months!!

Stephanie brought her niece over after their family session for some pictures – she is ADORABLE!

GORGEOUS!!

ISN’T SHE BEAUTIFUL!

*K* and her sweet Grandma!

Stephanie needed a shot of her sweetness to take home with her! We got a great one!

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!

I love love LOVE Stephanie and her family! Her hubbie Zack is home after a year overseas – fighting for our freedoms!

Zack’s mom wanted some family photos while they were home for the week – and thankfully this crazy February weather allowed for some great outdoor shots!

Thank you SO much for asking me to capture your family! You guys are the best!

I met Robbyn and her hubby through my awesome clients Terry & Shannon!!

Her girls are so cute and they LOVE LOVE LOVE Fitzy! I brought my sister and Fitzy to the session just in case we needed some bribery! We did!

SO PRECIOUS!

She was a tough one to get – then we brought out the Fitzy bribes!

SO SWEET!

Thank you SO much for having us over! I hope you LOVE your pictures as much as I do!

Megan is an awesome friend and fellow photographer. She is also an awesome momma!

I spent some time with her and Seth celebrating their little guy and getting some cute shots of him!

WHAT A SWEET BOY!

OH MY!

Hi little man!

Josiah – you are so loved and so blessed! I can’t wait for you and Fitzy to grow up together!!

Belinda and I have known each other since about 8th grade! We went to the same church and then to Mansfield University! Belinda has known Jared longer than I have – having Spanish classes together!

Last January her “little” miracle was born! Belinda and I cried and prayed with each other for a sweet baby to have and hold and love. God answered our prayers and our boys are 3 months apart – almost to the day!

I cannot BELIEVE that little *C* is ONE already – which means Fitzy will be turning one way too soon!

I’ll take out that little mark by his eye for their photos – but I had to get a sneak peek up – and I always keep it in a copy too. Boys are boys – scrapes and all!

Isn’t he the sweetest!

OH MY HEART!

Belinda – I am so thankful you are in our lives! It’s so awesome that God gave us little boys to grow up together!

I’ve known Kelly for quite a while now! I photographed her sister’s wedding a few years ago and have done some family photos for them!

Her wedding was in 2011 – then it moved to 2012 – then we found out we were pregnant – then I referred them to Bridget Reed – then we miscarried – then Bridget (who is awesome for several reasons) let me know that she could be mine again – so here we are! Back on for her wedding in September – and SO EXCITED!

I love love love when puppies come to sessions!

What a DOLL!

SISTERS!

SO SWEET!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that cozy shot!

Kelly & Joe – thank you SO MUCH for your understanding and awesomeness in everything! I will see you in September!

I made the decision to take time off this fall with our new baby on the way. Now that little JC is hanging out with the big JC – that decision needs to be re-evaluated. I know that fall is one of my busiest times – I can book a lot of weddings and seniors.

I also know that this little guy is growing up way too fast. If for some reason – and even if not – Fitzy is our only child here on earth – I want to spend every moment I can with him. I want to take him to the pumpkin farm and play in the leaves. I want to watch my boys play baseball in the yard on a Saturday. I want to enjoy time with our friends and family.

That being said – with the exception of a few weddings that I am taking back on since our sad news – I will still be taking the months of July and September through at least January off. I will keep the few appointments that I already have scheduled BUT I will take new maternity and babies clients who want my . babies . babies . babies . package! And most likely a handful or two of seniors.

I am sad about this decision – I love love love LOVE photographing you – but like I said before – I love my family more. And after losing two sweet babies and not knowing how many – if any – God will have in store for our arms here on earth – I want to soak up every bit of Fitzy’s toddlerhood.

I am almost booked for the year already – with this decision. If you want to get in this year – or next – make sure to let me know soon!

Thank you again for your support and love and understanding and awesomeness!