Allegheny County Courthouse Engagement Photos | Ashley + Cory

Hello, everyone! NEW COUPLE ALERT! I met up with Ashley and Cory at the Allegheny County Courthouse in Pittsburgh this past Monday to get their engagement photos complete! They’re getting married in about nine months so we fast tracked this to make sure they had all the time to get those save the dates out! Ashley’s a very familiar face to me and I’ll show you at the end of this blog BUT…it’s their time to shine for their engagement blog at this moment so please give them both all your Hannah Barlow Photography love and ENJOY!

These two tell me they actually met in high school but never really knew each other until they formally met over a decade ago! They dated for a while…went their separate ways…and now…HERE WE ARE! Ashley and I met virtually before she officially booked for their wedding and then we discussed all things engagement photos. She told me she liked my “darker and moodier” photos and that stopped me in my tracks. ME?! “Dark and Moody”….BLASPHEMY! I literally told her, “you’re going to have to scroll my instagram and show me what you mean”. I had a wee bit of a sweaty moment because I have never ever considered my self to take anything “dark and moody”. She actually screen shared with me which was super helpful and started scrolling my Instagram…and would’t you know it, I DID have some photos (ones I took) that truly did have a dark and moody vibe! So, upon inspection and discussion, we discussed how the subject…the couple…is the same (light and bright) but it’s the background that’s dark in some of my photos. Some locations and venues do just have a darker more moody background and that’s what Ashley loved! Well now, I’ve learned something about myself and I’m always here to learn and grow! My editing is the same…location has good contrast. GOT IT! So, we went back and forth on locations….Ashley, at the last minute, decided on this one – the Allegheny County Courthouse! So, let’s do it!

Little did I know, I’d actually “met” (I consider someone being at the same wedding as me – “met”) Cory at a wedding back in 2023. I’m going to hunt for photos later! I’d actually TOTALLY forgot Ashley was in that wedding until she brought it up. 2023 feels so long ago but ironically, I did remember her being in a 2020 wedding! So, she’s basically a pro in front of my camera at this point. I just never know how a couple will be together in front of my camera for the first time and these two were naturals. They’re also super kind, considerate and just generally so easy to be around. I’m sure anyone who knows them probably feels the same!

Cory often goes down to the Allegheny County Courthouse for work and he gave me some history of this building and fun facts. As a lover of new information, this was one of my favorite parts of the session (non-photo related). I didn’t know they also used to have a jail here and the really tall walls were part of the yard where inmates would hang out outside. So, there ya go! If you’re interested, here’s a LINK for some more history on this building!

This isn’t about that though…this is about their engagement session! This newspaper may appear in their save the dates so stay tuned! I did ask Ashley if it was ok to blog these and she gave me the green light! I made sure to take a bunch of variations so they had lots to choose from!

There’s always a point in each session you can see expressions relax and now we’re just taking photos for fun. No thinking! Just dancing! This was that moment here!

Dark and moody aside…I needed some Hannah Barlow like photos in my life…golden sun…greens…all the things! These made my photographer heart happy! I took just a few and then pivoted right back into Ashley’s vision because these aren’t MY photos…these are their photos and I like to embrace my couples vision and give them what they want! That’s my job!

Ashley’s family owns a family bar/restaurant (which she tells me we’re going to hit up before we go to the reception so we can take some fun photos in there)! That’s where Cory planned his proposal complete with inviting BOTH sets of parents! I hear there’s a video! I NEED THE VIDEO!

My gosh. Don’t they photograph so well?! These two below are some of my favorites!

The contrast in these black and whites is unmatched!!! SO dramatic and crisp!

Ashley loved this door! This is where we had originally planned to start photos but we got sidetracked by some pedestrians! Lucky for us, the place was vacant when we circled and I’m SO glad!

I always save step photos for last. First, because sometimes it leaves clothes dirty. Second, because sitting photos are NOT easy and sometimes coupes struggle and then they get flustered and then it just sets an “off” vibe and mood for the rest of the session because they feel like “I can’t do this”….well, forget all that with these two! They didn’t struggle! And that’s why these were what I posted on socials!

…and as always, just a few more!!! This is where I push my couples and fly through all the poses but… in like 3 minutes. It makes them not think…not pose…just DO and it’s GREAT practice for the wedding day! 10/10…these two nailed it! Their wedding is going to be a DREAM! (I’m just hoping for decent weather….come on temperatures in the positive range…HA!)

…and that’s a wrap!

These two are planning a large (like 300 people) wedding. YAY! I’m so glad big weddings are back! I do believe the COVID era of weddings is gone and I’m HERE FOR IT! They’re going for a more modern, simple and elegant look…classy. They want it to be super lively and upbeat and fun! I mean…those are all my favorite things so I’ll be sure to bring all the Hannah Barlow energy!

Ooo yea! And here’s Ashley at two of my other weddings! I can’t WAIT to see her as a bride!

AND CORY! I wasn’t convinced this was him (lack of facial hair and all). I actually texted to be sure! HA! I found him! I’m not sure if this makes me a good photographer…or a crazy one! BUT I FOUND HIM! Bye, everyone!

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Disclaimer: Hannah Barlow Photography engagement blogs only represent a small portion of photos the couple actually receives in their private gallery.  The blogs are meant to highlight my own favorite photos and favorite moments of the session and do not represent an entire gallery.

With permission specifically from the couple, galleries can be shared if you wish to view it in its entirely and/or order prints.

info@hannahbarlowphoto.com for more info.

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We stayed outside the Allegheny County Courthouse for these photos but they DO weddings! SO, if you’re interesting in having your wedding here, use this LINK to get more information!

And if you’re interested in more information on me photographing your wedding or taking your engagement photos, you can always go to my CONTACT PAGE or reach out to me directly at hannah@hannahbarlowphoto.com or 304.794.8131!