Lee & Christy were married on a beautiful July day – the last day of the month!
They had a GREAT wedding party and were so relaxed and fun!
How gorgeous is she?
I love that series!!
It was a GREAT night!!! Thanks again Lee & Christy!!
*M* is pretty much my favorite kiddo on the planet. She is my best friend’s daughter – and she is a riot!
I LOVE HER!
SO SWEET!!!
She was tuckered out after our session!
She is the sweetest thing – EVER!
I met Peggy while I was taking the *O* family photos – and we set up a session for her sweet family!
We share a LOVE for purple!
I love those shots!!
I am so glad you guys drove over for our appointment! Thanks again!!!
Lael & Mark were married on July 11th, a BEAUTIFUL day!
They had a moving ceremony and a fabulous reception with tons of dancing!!!
Mark’s mom and Lael – what a sweet moment!
LOVE THOSE SHOTS!!!
This was a BEAUTIFUL moment – the choir was amazing!!!
Mark sang to Lael with Ithacappella – it was AMAZING!
It was a GREAT night – thank you so much Lael & Mark!
I took family photos for Billie in March and we made an appointment for her son’s 1st birthday session!
He is a CUTIE!!
HOW CUTE IS HE!
Those shots are my FAVORITE!!!
I had to take a few shots of his sweet sister too!
Billie – thank you again for a GREAT session!
I hate waiting. I really don’t know of anyone who enjoys waiting – except maybe my mother-in-law but she is a crazy exception!
I like to read the end of books before I start them. I would much rather go into a movie knowing the end first. It’s just the type of person I am – and have always been.
I have waited 6 years for barden photography to be what it is today. Here is a little history of the beginnings of barden photography.
In 2003 – my college friend Jeremiah asked me to photograph his wedding. To this day I still haven’t seen the photos. they bought the rolls, I took the pictures, and gave the rolls back to them. It was my first wedding and the only pictures I took for other people that year.
In 2004 – Dave Fitzgerald asked me to photograph his family for Christmas. I gave them the rolls and have only ever seen a few of those photos! It was the only pictures I took for other people that year.
In 2005 – I photographed 2 weddings – both were on film and both were for friends. James & Laura were married in October and I am so thankful they trusted me enough to allow me to capture their day. I made mistakes. I put people out in direct sunlight without thinking about shadows. Belinda & Nate were married in December at the same church and the same reception hall as James & Laura – so it was a little easier! It was a beautiful Christmas wedding! I also took photos for a family for their Christmas cards!
In 2006 – I photographed 6 weddings – most of them were for friends and were for experience. I had 1 engagement session, 1 senior session, and 1 portrait session.
In 2007 – word spread a little more and I photographed 6 weddings. I had 1 engagement session, 7 seniors, and 15 portrait sessions.
In 2008 – it started to get a little crazy. I photographed 10 weddings, 3 engagement sessions, 7 seniors, 26 portrait sessions, and sold 2 of my nature prints. In November of 2008 I started to realize that this could be my full-time job. This could really happen! I prayed and prayed that I would be able to get 24 weddings for 2009 and I would be able to quit my job as a secretary. I would be able to live my dream job!
In 2009 – I had my first BRIDAL EXPO in January and it was INCREDIBLE! I gave a 10 week notice at my job to leave on March 31st of 2009. During those 10 weeks – our friend Dave Fitzgerald called us and wanted to speak to the whole family – Jared, me, Mom and Dad B – he had a word for us. He told me specifically that God had revealed to him that barden photography was going to grow. It was going to get to a point where I would be overwhelmed with inquiries and work. To just wait – and see. For the first year of barden photography – officially – I had 24 weddings, 1 after the wedding session, 14 engagements, 32 seniors, 73 portrait sessions, 10 promotional jobs, 5 sports sessions, sold 1 nature print, and sold 6 gift certificates for family sessions. It wasn’t overwhelming. I didn’t think anything of the conversation we had with Dave earlier in the year.
8 months into 2010 – I’ve had 20 weddings, 1 after session, 2 bridal sessions, 12 engagements, 12 seniors, 78 portrait sessions, 3 promotional jobs, sold 1 nature print and sold 1 gift certificate. I am overwhelmed with inquiries for sessions. I am looking at how many I have scheduled for the rest of the year – and it’s amazing to me! Impossible!
2003. 1 wedding.
2004. 1 session.
2005. 2 weddings. 1 session.
2006. 6 weddings. 3 sessions.
2007. 6 weddings. 23 sessions.
2008. 10 weddings. 38 sessions.
2009. 24 weddings. 142 sessions.
8 months into 2010. 20 weddings. 110 sessions.
I am so thankful for all that God has given me through barden photography over the years – from the very beginning when a friend had faith in me to capture his wedding to the moments right now and the moments many years down the road.
Now we wait again. We wait for a child. I have known from the moment I can remember that I’ve wanted to be a mother. That I was meant to be a mother. 2009 was a year for change. I quit my job – started a new one – we got a puppy – and found out we were going to be parents. We waited for our first appointment and waited more when the image I knew I was supposed to see wasn’t there. We waited for our baby to miscarry – waited to start trying again. Here we are – a year and a half later – still waiting for a miracle. Praying for a baby – our baby.
On March 28th of this year – Jared’s mom was given a word in church. That our children would rise up like mighty oaks. Our children.
On April 11th of this year – Dave called us again with a word for us. We would have children. Lots of them – running around in our yard – jumping on trampolines – and they would be our biological children – they would all look like Jared.
On August 15th of this year – we met with our Pastor – because I am angry, tired, sad, and weary. He told us that God has children for us – our biological children. But first we must open our hearts to the notion of taking in a child that is not ours – biologically.
So we wait and pray.
Because we are all waiting – for something.
For a new job – a spouse – a baby – a moment alone – a day without worrying about your weight – a friend – and for Jesus to come back.
Shannon and Terry work with Jared – and are the sweetest people!
They had their miracle in early June and I got to photograph her at 6 weeks – so sweet!
I love those two!!
COUSIN LOVE!
I can’t wait to capture *M* as she grows – thank you again guys!!!
Katie and I knew each other in high school – she graduated with my sister!
She put together a session for her family a month ago and we met on a HOT, sticky day!
Katie is the one in the purple!
I had a GREAT time with you guys!!!
The *W* family is one of the largest groups I’ve been asked to photograph – and we had a great time!
I hope you LOVE your photos and can’t wait to get together again!
