Meet Hannah Barlow

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hannah Barlow. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hannah below.

Hannah, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Overcoming imposter syndrome was a huge hurdle for me in an industry that is heavily saturated like wedding photography. There are so many styles, price points etc. but also a “standard” that many like to hold wedding photographers to. When I was new, I attempted to mold myself into what a wedding photographer was “supposed to be” and when my business took off quickly, it was hard to not follow my heart and do my own thing but stay on the path of what others were doing. My success had less to do with the photography services I was offering and more to do with the experience I offered my clients. I couldn’t see nor believe it at the time. Competitors at “community over competition” meetings told me to my face to stop doing what I was doing…which made me very much feel like that imposter who was catching success my luck. Business coaches told me not to veer from what was known to be successful and often told me what I was doing would “never work”…cue more imposter syndrome. I was a showing success. I was booking and my bank account reflected that…but I didn’t feel like I “fit in” or was a true wedding photographer because I wasn’t doing what everyone else was doing…but I kept booking. AND it was my clients (many who are still loyal followers and cheerleaders ten years later) who convinced me I was doing a great job and succeeding. They cheered me on for all the different things I was doing that other photographers were not – 3000+ word blogs, continuing to use Facebook a “dying” social media platform, not chasing Instagram followers, making close vendor relationships, sharing photos to vendors for free…you name it…I was doing it all “wrong” with GREAT success and thanks to my clients, I realized I could be successful doing things very differently and focusing not on my photos I offer…but the experience with my brand.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a full time wedding photographer who made it accidentally. Sounds boring and so “standard”. I was a registered nurse staying home with her babies taking very BAD photos of them on the couch when one of my old nursing instructors asked me to photograph her daughter’s wedding. Plot Twist…I turned it down three times. Eventually she talked me into it and I got a business license one week prior because I was worried the IRS would find me over $500. The next year after sharing that wedding I booked 3…then 10…then 20….and so on. It was never the plan but here were are ten years later!

I’m a wedding photographer who also offers complimentary wedding planning services for those in need because I’m a talkative people person, organizer, Type A…loves all things paperwork kind of gal! I offer workshops during down season focusing on common topics couples find interesting and helpful – timeline planning, photo lists, common mistakes couples make, unique ideas and my personal favorite – Murphy’s Law of Weddings…what can go wrong will go wrong where I tell real wedding day horror stories and how we powered through to make the wedding day a success!! I’m known as the high energy squealer who can be heard a town away on a wedding day. I’m my couples’ biggest cheer leader.

I live in a SMALL depressed town in West Virginia where the mean income for a FOUR person family is just $35,000 (you read it correct…this was as of the 2020 census). Couples have lower budget weddings averaging 30-40K and I’m considered “very expensive” so wedding planners aren’t always in the budget. I’ll photoshop colors of wedding attire to give my couples ideas of what they love and looks great…I’ll curate timelines…I’ll FaceTime when they’re generally having a meltdown. I’ve sewn dresses and tuxes and carried seating charts…you name it. I’m a helper at heart so it’s not JUST about photography if you’re hiring me.

I also don’t vet my clients. If you’re a couple in love getting married, I’ll photograph your wedding if you want me! I also post and BLOG every wedding I photograph if the couple wants it…that’s hundreds of weddings all on my blog AND they’re usually 3000-6000 words. Business mentors said it would never work…and no one would read them. Ten years later….people are still reading. There are no secrets…I even show the “not so great” photos. Every couple deserves for their wedding to be seen whether it’s low budget or high end!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three qualities/skills that led to my success –

1. Quick response/turn around time. I email everyone back within 24 hours on a weekday and on Monday over the weekend. Clients told me in the beginning they booked me solely on response time. Additionally, everyone receives their wedding AND blog AND order forms within 1 week of a wedding (no couple in ten years ever waited more than 4…). That’s well above the average and angers many competitors.

2. Kindness…lacking the “cool kid” mentality and treating everyone with the empathy and kindness they deserve – clients, vendors, friends and family. Even in the most stressful situations…I remain calm and endeavor to be the person finding a solution.

3. Quirkiness/Uniqueness – I didn’t keep up with the Jonses of wedding photography. Once I broke out of the mold and posted whatever on social media without it being curated and matching, dancing into wedding receptions over excitement, squealing at the top of my lungs over an amazing photo, cheering my couples on, texting them about non wedding photography related things…that’s just ME. This is the biggest thing I’d tell people…quit trying to do what everyone else is doing. Some of the most successful people on this planet made it there by being different. BE DIFFERENT. BE YOU.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

The age gap of my clients. I’m almost 20 years older than some of them now…ten years ago when I started this career, the gap was much smaller. It hasn’t been a “problem” I’m hearing from my clients…it’s in my head. I feel like more of a mom figure than the friend figure I used to be to them. BUT I’m making friends with younger vendors and Gen Z vendors and leaning on them for knowledge and advice. I’m finding posing prompts and what not have needed adjusted but I’ve always been one to make friends with anyone and I’m always willing to learn.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hannahbarlowphotography.com
• Instagram: @hannahbarlowphotography
• Facebook: @hannahbarlowphotography
• Other: Podcast “What in the Wedding” wherever you listen!

Image Credits

R. Nolan Photography (Two Headshots)

The rest are mine (Hannah Barlow Photography, LLC).