Philadelphia Wedding Photographers

Alice & Mark Preview at the Stotesbury Mansion

2009-10-18T01:36:00.002-04:00

Last year ended with a tattooed flappers photoshoot at the Stotesbury Mansion on Walnut Street in Philadelphia. The Stotesbury has tons of character (and history) and totally fit Alice and Mark's personality.

Stay tuned for more photos from this couple.

Chelley & Dave's Huntingdon Valley Wedding

2009-09-22T01:29:00.003-04:00

Chelley and Dave - what can I say. My weddings this year have been amazing and Chelley & Dave did not let me down. The day started out with rain. Not light rain I think it's raining outside - no, more like a hurricane came through and dumped 5 billion gallons on this town. With all the closed roads in the Willow Grove area I almost ended up taking a boat. The wedding was held at the Huntingdon Valley Country Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pa . That was the plan all along (cough, cough). As the day went on the weather slowly cleared up for outdoor photos - as any PA wedding photographer will tell you this has been the year of rain :(.

Enough talk about the weather; Chelley and Dave rocked Chucks, Fun Bridesmaids and Groomsmen, the Dance Floor and the Huntingdon Valley Country Club. I ain't lying. For proof, look at the photos below.

Getting ready for the day.

Groom and his men

Sexy belt buckle.

Humidity + Mohawk = Must use more superglue in a spray can.

The bridesmaids were too much fun.

The dress shot

The getting ready shot

Party

tattooed bride

Marriage

Love.

Getting all fishy eyed.

3rd times the charm.

Hawt couple

Dave's groomsmen can and will take you down.

Let's not show this one to the parents

Chucks at a wedding. CUSTOM f'n CHUCKS.

Foot fetish

Strong bride

no comment

Foot fetish #3

enchanted forrest

Bridal party in chucks

Proud Son, Proud Mom

Normal Photobooth Debauchery

Debauchery Revealed

Dance to Social Distortion

Social Distortion - I wish I could remember what song but any wedding that play Social Distortion is AMAZING.

Fisheye Self Portrait of Eric Matey, Mike Allebach + Chelley & Dave (Philadelphia's Most Professional Photographers Wink Wink)

A special thanks to Eric for shooting with me!

Karen & Dan at Knowlton Mansion, Philadelphia

2009-09-20T22:14:00.004-04:00

Our best clients are clients that I could see hanging out with. Karen and Dan are definitely that kind of couple. Dan is fan of Death Metal and Black Metal - I like Children of Bodom (a German Death Metal Band) and Karen, well she's just an awesome tattooed bride with style and personality. Their wedding took place on the grounds of the Knowlton Mansion in Northeast Philadelphia. The funny thing about the Knowlton Mansion is once you are there, it seems like a oasis away from the city with lush green grass all around. Soon you forget that this outdoor paradise near the heart of northeast Philadelphia. So first off I have to show off Karen's sweet tattoos that otherwise got hidden under the wedding dress:

They didn't get to see each other before the wedding but they did this sort of faux meeting through the wall. Kind of like the scene in The Patriot where they let the couple sleep in the same room but sew into their beds.

Priceless.

I normally don't show "formal" photos. But I rather enjoyed these.

Self Portrait with the photographer. Crazy fisheye lens.

Eastern State Penitentiary :: Prison Bound II :: Lori & Kevin

2009-09-15T23:40:00.004-04:00

Lori & Kevin's wedding was AMAZING...but I don't need to tell you that. Any couple that chooses to get married at Eastern State Penitentiary and then have their reception at College of Physicians (Mutter Museum) is my kind of couple. It was also great working with Erin Proud of Proud to Plan . I won't go into all the details of wedding because The Philadelphia Inquirer did a feature on them here .

Eastern State Penitentiary Love

College of Physicians

See the robot dance here:

Jess & Dave Get Rock and Roll Blogged

2009-09-15T09:19:00.002-04:00

Rock 'n Roll Bride loved tattooed bride and groom Jess & Dave's wedding. Remember the one at an amazing mansion in Washingtonville, New York with the The Buzzards and The Long Island Roller Rebels? Check out the in depth post here: Retro Rockabilly

Little Black Wedding Dress ?

2009-09-11T00:13:00.004-04:00

So what is your feeling on Black Wedding Dresses? Would you wear one if you could get away with it?
Juan Duyos released a black wedding dress earlier this year. I hope I find a bride brave enough to wear it and book Allebach Photography. Black Wedding Dress Photo Here

Wedding at Eastern State Penitentiary: Lori & Kevin

2009-09-09T22:37:00.005-04:00

The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philly.com just posted our lovely Bride & Groom's story and our photos. See the story online here: Lori Hobart & Kevin Mays

We will be doing a blog post or two on their Eastern State Penitentiary and College of Physicians Wedding later this month.

Prison Bound: Lianne & Chris at Jim Thorpe Old Jailhouse

2009-09-09T01:13:00.004-04:00

Prison Bound. So this is the first of TWO prison weddings that we did this summer. Both were the first wedding held at the prison. What can I say, I think I have the absolute coolest and most creative clients!

Lianne & Chris were at trip to photograph on their wedding day. They both decided to see each other before the wedding (the ultimate wedding day stress reducer). So we were able to grab some great photos outside around the Old Jail House before things started. For their wedding ceremony they had a great 50s Rockabilly theme going and Lois Heckman was the celebrant.

The ceremony took place in a small room in the jail - I think it was the original guard's living room. After some family photos we made our way to Grumpy's BBQ for the reception (where Chris and Lianne had their first date).

Remember The Buzzards from Jess and Dave's wedding? Yeah, they played Grumpy's that night. Don't you wish you could have been there...

Rachel & Dan at the Marsico Philadelphia

2009-09-09T00:24:00.005-04:00

What does Allebach Photography sound like?

2009-09-08T20:04:00.002-04:00

Allebach Photography sounds like a little bit of Social Distortion, Johnny Cash and the Dropkick Murphy's.

What does your photography sound like?

Reservoir Dogs: The Groomsmen Portrait

2009-09-01T01:20:00.000-04:00

I get bored of boring wedding photos. Since being in a punk rock band, I dreamed photographing album covers. The groomsment portrait is on of those moments. Groomsmen generally want to get drunk and don't want to have their photo taken. It's a fact. So I try my best to make the photos kickass, look tough and have fun while doing it.

My favorite groomsmen shot is the Reservoir Dogs.

This is Dan (a tattooed groom) and his groomsmen. They might just kill you by accident.

Trash the Dress - Philadelphia, Pa

2009-08-06T17:22:00.002-04:00

Here is a video of our latest Trash the Dress session at Eastern State Pennientary. Dennis & Marichka ended their TTD session by jumping in a fountain. Nothing dry cleaning can't fix right? Check it out. Wanna to Trash the Dress? Email weddings@allebachphotography.com with the subject line "I want to get Trashed!" and we'll give you the details.

Chelley & Dave Engagement Video

2009-07-29T13:41:00.002-04:00

Chelley & Dave's wedding is this weekend so I thought I would post this engagement photo session.

FAQs (The things you wanted to ask about Allebach Photography but were too afraid to ask)

2009-07-29T11:11:00.007-04:00

Here are some of the top questions we have been receiving lately.

1. Why did you stop blogging?
Stopped? Nahh. Just slowed down. It's the busy season so we've been focusing on our current clients, editing photos and albums. If you are dying to see new photos check out our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/tattooedbrides

2. Is it true you have twin boys?
Most certainly yes. We also have a 2 1/2 year old full of energy.

3. Why haven't you posted any new photos of the twins online?
See question #1

4. I'm a bride who loves your work but I don't have tattoos. Can you photograph my wedding?
Sure. We photograph all sorts of weddings. You can schedule an appointment to meet with us by calling 610.539.6920 or by emailing weddings@allebachphotography.com

5. I'm a rock and roll / punk rock / roller girl / steam punk / tattooed bride / offbeat bride. Can I get a discount?
We offer $100 discount to anyone who fits in this catagory or is having an offbeat wedding.

6. Can I send you a check for $8000 for a wedding at the Ritz in Philadelphia and you send my friend in New York a check for my $2000 over payment.
Sorry, foreign email scams must be paid in cash.

7. Do you photograph babies? Families?
We'd love to photograph your family.

8. I want stiff, formal, 1980s style wedding photography - can you do that?
Let me grab my shoulder pads, star filter, haze filter and bag o' tricks and I'll be right over. Do you mind standing still like a robot for half an hour?

9. What do you like in a wedding or a bride?
I love personality. Sure everyone has a personality. I love brides who let that shine through. I just saw this video and loved it. The couple made this wedding their own...who cares if you like it. The bride and groom had fun. I think that is why we do so many alternative and non traditional weddings.

Jess & Dave plus the Long Island Rollergirls and the Buzzards

2009-07-09T09:30:00.001-04:00

Jess & Dave proved to put on one of the best weddings we've ever photographed.

Here are the facts:

The wedding was held at an amazing mansion in Washingtonville, New York.
It rained. If you are in the northeast section of the United States - you know it's rain just about every weekend for 3 months straight.
Jess rocked out some pretty sweet peacock tattoos.
The Buzzards played some sweet rockabilly, Johnny Cash and Social Distortion.
Dad had a Noblex panoramic camera - how amazing is that.
The Long Island Rollergirls knew how to have fun.

Here are the photos:

Bethlehem, Pa (Walker Evans Remembered)

2009-06-11T23:09:00.003-04:00

Around the year 2000 I took a photo of a Walker Evans 1936 Bethlehem, Pa. It remains one of my favorite photos despite the scratch on the negative. Link:
Walker Evans Bethlehem in Bethlehem:

This year I had planned on going back. To capture the graveyards and the landscape of Bethlehem that Walker Evans captured in the mid 1930s. With the birth of our twins and their extended stay in the NICU, I decided to make a quick pit stop for 15minutes in nearby Bethlehem. Luckily I had a tilt shift lens much like what was used in the 1930s by photographers.

Here is what I found:

Disclaimer:

2009-06-07T01:28:00.007-04:00

We are looking for fun brides who like Social Distortion, the Ramones, Rancid, Johnny Cash, punk rock or rockabilly. If you consider yourself an anti-bride, an offbeat bride, a tattooed groom or tattooed bride, then you've definitely come to the right place.

2010 is calling for all tattooed brides & punk rock grooms. Note: 2009 is only open for punk rock baby/kid/family sessions & trash the dress (sorry to the dozens of brides we turn away a month).

We know LOVE in 2010 can be a little tough on the wallet. Here is a list of current discounts:

$200 off weddings that have ONE or MORE of the following
* Converse shoes
* Tattooed bride
* Punk rock wedding
* 20s flapper bride
* Rockabilly themed wedding
* Rollergirl bride
* Mohawk grooms

Announcing Evan Pierce & Caleb Michael Allebach

2009-05-30T23:21:00.013-04:00

We were scheduled to leave for a mini vacation Friday morning but instead we were blessed with the arrival of Evan Peirce & Caleb Michael at 10:55 and 10:56 about 2 months earlier than expected. They weigh in at a mere 3lbs 12ozs - little guys. They are expected to take 5 weeks in the Level III NICU over an hour from our home. Take a look at a few photos from the first 2 days of their life.

Caleb Michael (Above)

Evan Peirce (pictured above)

(Grandma sees the twins for the first time)

(Rachel sees the twins for the first time)

Under the Light Treatment

(The Blue Man Group Aka Light Treatment)

Elijah visits

The hospital at night

A Wedding In Black and White: Dennis & Marichka

2009-05-14T23:02:00.008-04:00

Dennis & Marichka were a dream to capture on their wedding day - so emotive - so beautiful - so in love. Photos were a big part of their day - they made sure they planned their day so they could have the important photos captured - making my job easy. Here is their wedding day in black and white.

Enjoy.

Love is.

2009-04-28T00:28:00.005-04:00

Love is.

Over the last few days in Pennsylvania it has been unseasonably ~~warm~~ HOT. For clarification, hot enough to roast a marshmallow on the pavement!

Here are a few photos from the 5 engagement sessions we had in the last 2 weeks. These engagement photos were taken across Doylestown, Bridgeport, Philadelphia & Lancaster.

To book your 2010 wedding please email us at weddings@allebachphotography.com

Where did you go?

2009-04-17T17:17:00.003-04:00

So things are a bit crazy. We are planning for babies 2 & 3 currently and working on albums and countless session in the next few days. So were still around. If you are looking for a photographer for 2010, we are still booking but I'm guessing that we'll be booked up by the time 2010 rolls around.

Wanna get trashed? We will have a discount Saturday dress trashing in May. Email us at weddings@allebachphotography.com .

See ya around these parts soon. I'm off to photograph 6 sessions this weekend.

Josh & Donna Valentines Day Wedding

2009-03-25T00:25:00.000-04:00

The wedding season has begun and Josh & Donna started our year off right. Since it is now midnight I won't attempt to write anything because I'm sure it would be filled with misspellings and grammar errors. All I will say is that we had a great time and I almost stepped on a huge snake while taking Josh & Donna's wedding photos.

Babies.

2009-03-25T00:03:00.005-04:00

So we're expecting Babies. Yes, two of them (in case you missed this announcement). And now our family goes from 3 to 5 in August.

So if you are a tattooed, punk rock, indie, old school, flapper, anti-bride...we do apologize but we aren't taking on any more weddings this year.

The good news is we are still taking engagement sessions, portrait sessions, family photos and trash the dress sessions. Stay tuned for details on a discount Trash the Dress session date. We are also booking 2010 weddings.

In case you were wondering these are photos of our growing family's photo session last fall. Yes, we did decide to get on the other side of the camera!

Draw Your Weapons: Atlantic City, New Jersey

2009-03-16T22:04:00.004-04:00

I was a part of a photog shootout. No one died, although we wish of few of the piss poor excuses for drunk human beings on the boardwalk had...

A whole lot of sick wedding photography talent got together and stormed the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. There were photographers from Pennsylvania, New York and a whole bunch of other states that no one cares about. Just imagine teams of fifteen photographers in the middle of the Atlantic City boardwalk snapping away...I think we created scene.

I decided to mainly use our first digital camera we ever bought. When everyone else brings out their best & newest equipment, I brought my tiny Nikon D70s out of retirement. Indeed, I felt a little silly using a digital camera that was out when VHS was still acceptable.

Enjoy.

PS. The Orbis Ring Flash was used on most of these images.

2009 Weddings Note

2009-03-05T01:30:00.000-05:00

If you are a blog stalker you may know that we are expecting twins. So over the next two weeks we will be finalizing our 2009 weddings. After March 15th we will no longer accept weddings for 2009 - we'll be booked pretty solid! We will be focusing on our current clients and weddings for 2010 plus engagements, portraits, trash the dress for this year.

So if you are thinking, wondering, pondering...email us for packages and pricing at weddings@allebachphotography.com .

PS. More wedding photos will be posted in the next week!