I thought I would elaborate on my schedule a little more and let you know where I meet my brides and grooms.

2.14.2009 – I went to high school with Shannon – our friend (also from high school) Sara had been at 2 other weddings I photographed and told Shannon about me – she sought me out at the BRIDAL EXPO.

3.14.2009 – I met this bride through the BRIDAL EXPO and the reminder e-mail I send out to brides reminding them of the month’s specials!

5.2.2009 – The groom and I have been friends since middle school!

5.3.2009 – The groom and I went to college together and I contacted him on FACEBOOK when I saw that he was engaged!

5.30.2009 – Jenna (dear Jenna) told this bride about barden photography and in turn ended up booking the Sechrist wedding (the photo I use as my heading)!

6.6.2009 – The groom is one of my brother’s best friends.

6.12.2009 – The bride attends our church and we have her children in PowerKidz every week. I also took their engagement photos!

6.13.2009 – This bride attends my parent’s church on occasion and is a result of the 5.30.2009 and Sechrist wedding bookings!

7.11.2009 – This bride saw the Sechrist wedding album in her mom’s hair salon. I also took their engagement photos!

7.17.2009 – This bride was a bridesmaid in the Sechrist wedding!

7.18.2009 – The bride is a dear college friend who lived with us for a semester! I will also be taking their engagement photos!

7.25.2009 – This bride and I went to church together while I was in high school.

8.1.2009 – This bride heard of barden photography via the Sechrist wedding.

8.8.2009 – The bride and groom live in Mansfield and I know them through my boss at the clinic.

8.15.2009 – The bride is a sister of a bridesmaid in the Campbell wedding this past November.

8.22.2009 – I met the bride at the BRIDAL EXPO and contacted her again through my monthly barden photography special e-mails.

9.19.2009 – I contacted this bride on FACEBOOK – she was a friend of a friend of a friend.

9.26.2009 – This bride was at a barden photography session with a senior this past fall. I will also be taking their engagement photos!

10.3.2009 – This bride was referred to me through a college friend – whose wedding I was supposed to photograph but had plans to be at the Ren Faire that day!

10.10.2009 – I met this bride at the BRIDAL EXPO.

10.31.2009 – I met this bride in college and through FACEBOOK and the BRIDAL EXPO!

4.2010 – This bride was at the BRIDAL EXPO but did not come to the barden photography booth – she had her e-mail on the registration list and I sent out my monthly specials!

5.2010 – I met this bride at the BRIDAL EXPO and through FACEBOOK we were able to converse and book! I will also be taking their engagement photos!

9.2010 – I met this bride at the BRIDAL EXPO! I will also be taking their engagement photos!

WORD OF MOUTH is such a great referral! I appreciate all the kinds words you spread about barden photography! I am so thankful for the business and the prospects that keep coming! The BRIDAL EXPO proved to be well worth the time and cost – and AGAIN I THANK EVERYONE THAT HELPED ME THOSE THREE DAYS!

Remember that when you refer a bride or groom that books a wedding – YOU get a free 1 hour photo session!

We had such a great time at Zach & Layne’s wedding!

Like I said – I was not the photographer for the Yoder wedding – but I couldn’t resist taking my camera – and Indica was AWESOME in letting me tag around! I told her that if Vive and Barden ever have to work together – it will be a great result!

Jared’s speech – he did a great job!

Loved the fireworks – such a great mood to the photos!

Zach & Layne – I wish you happiness beyond belief. Keep your relationship with Christ as the center of your marriage – you can do great things through Him who strengthens you!

While I was at the EXPO – Shannon came up to my booth to book her wedding! I graduated with Shannon in 1999 from AAHS. Our mutual friend Sara was at the Robert wedding that I did in November and had spread the word that I was starting a photography business. Shannon’s photographer had gone out of business a few weeks before and was in need of a photographer ASAP. Luckily, I didn’t have a wedding already on her date – 2.14.2009 – Valentine’s Day!

This next photo was kind of an oops – I had started uploading the pictures when I realized that I had already uploaded them and stopped the transfer – about 12 of the pictures downloaded with little bits of each other overlaid. I thought it came out pretty cool …

Karissa was one of the matrons of honor – she graduated with us too – she and her husband were celebrating their 10 year wedding anniversary!

It was a great wedding and so good to see lots of people from high school! Thanks again Shannon!

I don’t like to call photography WORK – because I don’t feel like I am going to work when I take pictures – nonetheless – Aunt L caught an image of me at *work* that I wanted to share …

These little girls had no problem being my models for the night!

Yesterday we had an obedience consult with Cynthia Knowlton. She comes higly recommended by everyone we have talked with. Jared’s parents came along since they are a large part of Schrute’s life too.

She was a little concerned with how skinny he is – and thought maybe the food was the cause of all the messes – because he is great in letting us know that he has to go out while we are home. We bought some different food to mix in with what he has to see if we can get some meat on him. She talked about discipline – no yelling – firm steady voice – and when they do what you are asking you praise them in a high excited voice and always reward. He pretty much has the sit command mastered – and she worked with us on lie down – come – stay – he did really well with her!

She recommended that we don’t let him put his paws up on us – whether you are sitting or standing – he is stil jumping up – and you don’t want to teach him to do that – especially a dog his size. She gave us some tips on biting – he doesn’t really bite – just nip and test you out with his mouth – which is natural for a puppy. She said to clamp his mouth shut and tell him no – then hold your hand out and ask for kisses so that he can do something with his mouth.

She said that you want to teach your dog to sit when they meet a new person – not jump up – he is still a little jumpy and unsure of new people – she said to socialize him as much as possible.

The thing I have to work on is yelling – I tend to yell – I think I always have looking back on it – so it is great practice for kids for me.

We signed him up for the 8 week class starting in April – Tuesday nights from 6.15 to 7.15 …

She works on the sit – come – lie down – stay commands and basic control.

We were there for an hour yesterday and went home with our money’s worth – I think!

Once we got home – Mary and Chai met us for a play date. Schrute has hung out with other dogs and done well – and maybe I am imagining it – but I think he was PRETTY excited to see Chai!

Chai was such a good sport putting up with Schrute and his puppy energy!

We thought taking a walk might be good for them – but was WAY TOO COLD for us!

Chai knows how to walk on a leash really well – Schrute could take some pointers from him!

Talking about sweethearts – *M* is such a doll baby who steals my heart everytime I see her.

A few weeks ago – *J* wanted some pictures of her sweetness – so we set up a quick photo session …

She is an incredible child!

I had posted a few of these pictures earlier but they were too big – so here they are again with some others …

*G* was the flower girl at the Yoder wedding – and a sweetheart!

I had a wedding in Athens on Valentine’s Day so we spent the weekend with my parents – taking Schrute with us!

He is such a handsome pup!

Playing with my dad …

We love him dearly!

Check out the blog for an upcoming post of his obedience session and pictures with Chai!

I am so behind on blogging – and adding to the gallery! I have so much to share and have NEVER been this far behind. The computer switch has been less than smooth!

Here are the favorites from the beach during our Florida trip!

This last one is my favorite by far – I have it as the new desktop on my computer!

This was in my inbox this morning – from Aunt L – THANK YOU GOD!

Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.

Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.

Psalm 119:1-2