Springtime, Tulips, and Light! | Hannah Barlow Photography | Pittsburgh Wedding Photography

Happy MONDAY!  I know many of you probably aren’t happy it’s the beginning of the work week but I sure am!! I have a beautiful wedding sitting on my hard drive waiting for some finishing touches in post processing AND I have this amazing, engagement session to share with you all!!

I actually shot this session not this past weekend but the weekend before!  Because I had been rambling via two different blogs last week, I figured I’d save one for this week (gotta keep it spread out for you loyal readers, ya know?!).

So, I’ve LOVE for you to meet Lisa and Dan!

So, this was one of “those sessions” to start out.  I had a grand plan.  The light was beautiful.  I was literally going to put their heads in the clouds and it was going to be amazing.  So, we got there.  I finally got to meet Lisa and Dan in person!  I suggested we drive off to the spot I couldn’t wait to shoot for the first time…and it was ungodly windy.  SO WINDY!  Lisa’s poor hair was flying about.  I even tried to use Dan’s head (for real…I did) to hold her hair in place.  I got up close and personal right off the bat and we had some pretty good laughs about it.  The photos above and below were shot in the windy location.  I even photoshopped out much of her hair in these.  Crazy, right?! 

Nonetheless, I realized after about 5-10 minutes, it just wasn’t going to work.  It happens!  That’s the beauty of being a wedding photographer.  We are used to having no control over the elements and being forced to make it work!  So, we headed back to the original spot where we met.  I’m so glad they didn’t think I was crazy (and if they did…they didn’t say anything). 🙂 Thanks, you two!

So, Plan B!  I trotted around looking for a place we could hide from the wind!  Thank goodness for their outfits (which I know Lisa was worried about).  Their outfits complimented this location so perfectly!! It was like it was meant to be!  Check it out!  No wind either!  I had them walk and snuggle to try and get comfortable now that we could really get moving with their session!  They nailed it!

So, I literally kept sneaking around the building hoping the wind wouldn’t realize what we were doing!  It’s true.  Sometimes I really do think these things in my head (like I can outsmart the wind…come on!).  I loved this little area so I could frame them!  Look how cozy they look and natural!  Her leg pop was perfection!

So, we moved a little more.  I was so excited for that light!! It was hiding from me for MONTHS!  We ALL know the struggle that was this Spring!  I wanted the light.  SO MUCH!  I HAD to have it! So, we scooted a little farther over to this rock wall so I could let the light sneak in!   They’re natural snugglers!  I also had them dance, of course!

I snagged one of my signature ring and light shots!  I always tell the guys they can stand and do nothing for these but the girls have to smile JUST in case I catch their faces…like this one!

Then, we bravely moved a little farther away from that wall!  I am channeling my inner Kari!! Filling the frame!! I’m LOVING these!  These two are just so sweet!  Lisa told me she’d be “a little shy” at first.  I’m glad her and I had chatted a bit prior to this so she didn’t think I was overly crazy in person!  I know I’m a lot to handle sometimes so I’m always worried I’ll overwhelm people who are more laid back.  Dan, on the other hand, said he loved the energy! WOOOOOOOOOO!!!  Dan just got himself a lot more photogrpaher time come his wedding day!  I usually try and give the grooms some space, but when someone makes a comment like that…they sign themselves up for a lot of Hannah time on their wedding day! HA!  Getting groom shots can be SO FUN when the grooms are on board!  I can’t wait!

As you can see, I was running out of light!  But I managed (on my tip toes while standing on a stone) to get it in the frame a few more times!  Aren’t they adorable?! 

LET’S GO PENS!  That is all I need to say about these! 

I think they were having a pretty good time at this point because they were more than willing to change again for just a few more photos!  I feel like these are very “story book”!  What do you think?! 

…and because you HAVE to have a silhouette when you have a sunset…we did these!  They nailed it!

One last one!! No engagement shoot is complete without a beautiful diamond shot!  It’s classy.  It’s simple.  It’s so beautiful and is timeless!  Well done, Dan! PS: I love when my couples just let me do my thing!  That greenery?  Totally weeds! HA!  Weeds are beautiful people!  We just don’t get close enough to appreciate them!  Enter Hannah’s ring shots!

Lisa and Dan are going to finish off my 2018 wedding season!  From one December bride to another, I can NOT wait!  I’ll be back at the Sheraton at Station Square in Pittsburgh photographing their wedding day!  Check back and don’t miss it!  Lots of blogs to come in December!