Ohio Lakeside Engagement Session

Happy Tuesday!  Before I get started, I want to tell you a quick story.  The last couple of years, I have booked quite a few December weddings.  It’s also the busiest time of the year for me personally.  So, at the end of last year, I had a conversation with Kari and we decided this year we were taking December off.  That’s right.  I wasn’t going to book any December weddings.  Then, I got a phone call from one of the sweetest and most soft spoken ladies I’ve ever met at 7:45 am one morning and while I was still drinking coffee.  Her name is Rachael.  She told me she was getting married this year (2019) and in December.  I hesitated and told her I wasn’t booking any weddings in December and I could immediately FEEL her disappointment through the phone.  So, I followed up confirming exactly when her wedding would be…and she told me the 28th.  The 28th has NOTHING happening on my calendar.  It’s well after all the birthdays (my dad’s and daughter’s), my anniversary (the 13th), our anniversary trip we take every year, Santa Trolleys, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra traditions….all those festive events.  It’s after everything I have planned on my calendar for the month of December!! It’s like the stars aligned and talking to her more about her and her fiance and her wedding…I knew I HAD to be her photographer!  We made it happen.  She booked me!  So then, I got to photograph this fun and upbeat couple last week and I can’t wait for you to meet them!  Everyone, say “hello” to Rachael and Jared!! They’ll be the 22nd and last Hannah Barlow Photography wedding of this year and my only December wedding! EEKKK!  BUT FIRST…their engagement photos!!  ENJOY!

We took these photos lakeside waiting for the sun to set.  Jared and Rachael showed up early which is always bonus points in my book since I’m also one who likes to be early!  He even showed up with a vintage Mustang and you’re going to get to see that here in a few!!  These two embody everything I love in a session – love, fun, beauty, affection…I could go on and on!!  I posed them and they just made them their own!

I was immediately touched by Rachael and her sweetness and sincerity even before I met her in person (which I technically was at a wedding with her last year but didn’t get to talk to her).  Jared didn’t disappoint in the personality department when we met this night either.  He’s definitely one to put up with me but gives me a hard time right back when I deserve.  We had so much fun laughing at this session.  Rachael and I were scheming right off the bat about everything engagement photo and wedding… and he said, “OooO no.  There’s two of you now”.  We had amazing conversations and laughs and their wedding is just going to be outstanding!

See what I mean?!

These two met when Rachael was coming back from a trip with Jared’s little sister.  Her tire pressure light had come on and Jared came to the rescue.  This was the very first time they met and it’s so Hallmark movie worthy!

They did some dancing, of course!! All the Hannah Barlow Photography couples do some dancing at their engagement shoots!

Apparently, Jared joked with Rachael that he had this ring for a while.  She called him out one day on it and he responded, “You mean this ring?!”  Down on one knee he went and here we are now!  Her colors are going to incorporate purple so I snatched these flowers for a good ring shot.  Jared was snicking about my love of the pretty weeds! HA!

Then, I took some standard photos with the 1965 Mustang!! I loved this car so much given my dad has a green 1966 version!

This was a happy accident as they both looked over at a loud car going by!

Then, I decided to really play with the light!  I was a squealing machine, I tell ya!

THEN, I literally jumped up and down for these ones and I know I looked like a fool.  I’m pretty sure both of my feet left the ground and that’s saying something  considering I can’t jump worth a crap to begin with.  They, of course, died laughing but just went with it!

I’m telling ya, he is one of my grooms who will make the wedding day SO FUN no matter what!  Here’s an outtake!

Doesn’t this one look like something out of a movie?!

Then, as we were literally driving out of our location to end the night…I saw this sunset and knew I needed JUST a few more!  Ok…maybe a handful!

…and one more for the grand finale!

That’s it!  Rachael and Jared will be back on the blog in a much chillier (and hopefully snowy) atmosphere!!  She tells me I’m going to see pops of purple and silver and navy and although she thought maybe it didn’t sound as pretty as it will be…I could immediately see it in my head!! Navy and purple are the new blush pink and navy…I think!! Time will tell!! Check back this December!!!!!  It’s going to be amazing and I’m going to be full of blogging madness after the holiday break I’m getting!!! YAY!

Thanks for reading!!  Have a great day!