Windy Love with Burgundy Fall Details

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday week! It’s been a while since I’ve had a week off so it felt nice…and weird…all at the same time. It was weird because I had two engagement sessions pending AND a wedding (and you know I never do that)…but the holidays must go on and NOW…the engagement sessions are ready to go too! SO, please give this new couple all your Hannah Barlow Photography love. Madison (Madi) and Nick’s engagement session is on the blog RIGHT now! Enjoy!

This is a story I can’t wait to tell. So, I actually know Nick! That’s right! He and I went to high school together. He’s actually my husband’s age so he was a senior when I was a freshman (like 20 years ago…Jeesh…I felt that while typing it). His dad was also a teacher at the school. ALSO, he’s great friends with my best friend’s husband (Hey Ryan). What I didn’t know, was that he was marrying Madi. Madi’s friend and maid of honor (Hey, Jacie!) was actually the one who initially set things up for our first Zoom meeting and when she mentioned a “Nick”…I had no last name and no way of realizing the coincidence that was about to come. SO, imagine my surprise (and pure Hannah excitement) when they log in to our meeting and Nick pops up next to Madi! I was ALL the Hannah excitement right off the bat. I don’t think I ever calmed down that whole meeting either so bless these two for embracing it and deciding to hire me despite the madness of that meeting. I talked…A LOT.

…and I didn’t calm down this session either. We had to plan around Madi and Nick being able to drive in for this session. So, when it called for snow and wind…we had to go for it. So, we went FAST! I told these two to cuddle for real to keep warm and off we went!

Madi and Nick claim they don’t take a “good photo”…but I don’t let that get to me (nor do I believe it now). Nope! I was my normal bossy, posing self and they rolled with it. What you can’t see is that the wind was blowing hair EVERYWHERE…and I had to keep fixing it. But that’s ok…Madi has some of the most beautiful hair I’ve ever fixed and I have total hair envy! I also did some photoshopping to make these perfect…and less windy! HA!

If you know…you know. I ALWAYS give the men in my photos the “one and only rule”…you MUST have your two hands touching your fiance (PG-13, of course…and I always throw that in there) so you don’t have the dreaded “dead arm”. Well, upon the “snuggle” part of this walk, Nick said, “I don’t know what to do with my hands…….” and we all started dying laughing! It was definitely a favorite outtake for me (below)!

Then, we got back to cuddling because it felt like it was about 20 degrees! Madi said she didn’t know what to wear but she positively nailed my advice for one pattern and one solid and making sure they “popped” off the background!

More dancing in the wind!

The one thing I noticed about these two RIGHT off the bat that continued throughout the whole session was their love and laughter. Their laughter and energy is so infectious and even though we were really really cold…I kept going because I couldn’t quit giggling right along with them!

Then, just a few more because I wanted to show off that ring!

…and that’s a wrap on blog number 1 of 4 for this week! Madi and Nick will be tying the knot at Oglebay next September! I can NOT believe 2022 weddings are done and the next weddings on my list are next year! This one will be so exciting too because not only will I know a bunch of people at this wedding but my best friend’s husband AND my cousin will be in the bridal party. Additionally, my best friend (Hey, Jenna!) used to second shoot for me in 2018 when Kari was on maternity leave so we’re throwing around the idea of bringing her out of retirement on the wedding day to be third assistant! To be continued…I’m so excited about this one though! Can you tell?! EEEKKKKKK!!! Ok! I’m off to finish another engagement session!

…and one last thing. Ms. Stone…if you’re reading this. I’m sorry about the grammar. I really am…I didn’t throw away everything you ever taught me…I promise.

Backstory: Ms. Stone was my English teacher in high school and I’m a weeeeee bit nervous she’s going to get her hands on this since Nick’s dad was a teacher back in the day with her. Ooo man…I can hear her now. She was definitely one of my most influential but tough but fair but worth it teachers…and here I am, 24 years later, one giant typo and grammatical error. HA! Funny how things work out.

Ok. I’m done now! Happy Monday! Stay Warm!