Hilltop Vantage Point

So, you know the header at the top of our blog with the mountain view behind the words Mountain Musings? Many of you may know that this idyllic scene is the view we can see out our front door, facing west towards the Allegheny mountains. (It's much better in person! In fact, if you come visit us at our hilltop home when it's cloudy, you'll probably hear us apologize and invite you back again when the mountains are clearer and at their most spectacular.)

Several years ago we met the folks who own the farm with the white barn that you can spot towards the right of the photo. Last week, I received a call from this neighbor asking if I'd be willing to take some photos of their daughter's wedding, with the barns and a wedding tent set up, remembering that in the past I'd captured a photo of their land with the mountains rising behind it....you'd almost not know the mountains were there if standing on their property.

I agreed to get the photos, but by the time Saturday afternoon arrived, we had some pretty heavy winds and rainstorms passing through. Thankfully, by the time the wedding was to start, the sun had come out. I took my position at an upper bedroom window and zoomed in as far as I could, testing out a variety of angles. That's Mom's antique lamp, quilt, and reading chair in the corner.

My telephoto lens acted somewhat as a pair of binoculars. Those colorful specks headed towards the gathered crowd are some of the bridesmaids.

Then the bride (the small white speck near the tent) made her way across the field from the barn.

I could hear celebratory sounds faintly wafting in the breeze as I shot out the window. Little did the attendees know there was a camera pointed in their direction from a house across the way.

As the sun began to set, the guests milled around as the horses in the adjacent field looked on. Later, there was a bonfire.

With my assignment complete, I closed the window from the chilly evening air. It was kind of fun to watch a wedding from afar!

~Hannah

Comments

[Rose]

Oh Hannah what a great post, that must have been a great assignment and, knowing your photos, the people will be thrilled.

[victoria]

More great photos by Hannah! What a fun job.

[Hannah]

Thanks for the compliments, Rose and Victoria!

[Danielle]

Hi Hannah! Oh that is so, so neat! You were zoomed in so close you could see the bride's dress and her bridesmaids... What a beautiful vista from your house, the ridges of the mountains are lovely. Thanks for sharing some of the pics from your afternoon of photography with us. :)

[Cathy]

I think this is so cool. The family's idea to photograph from afar is pretty novel...what a totally different perspective,

I'm curious how long you spent taking pix, i.e., did you stand there for several hours, or did you take them intermittently?

[Hannah]

Danielle, if you and your family are ever in our area, feel free to stop by and enjoy the mountain view. :)

Cathy, I took photos for about half an hour, on and off, starting before the wedding as cars were arriving, to the entrance of the wedding party. Then I took a break and checked out the window every so often to see what was happening. As the sun began to set I shot a few quick closing images. Since they really only wanted the view, there was only so much I could capture.

[Kim Cupo]

How I miss that mountain view! I know you all appreciate that view greatly :)

[Cathy]

Thanks, Hannah, for your response. Now my eyes are drawn to that white barn as depicted on your header every time I check your blog for new posts. Hey, perhaps you can post a bit while your mom is away...😀