Philadelphia Wedding Photographers

Snow Day Coupon - 20% off prints

2010-02-06T16:11:00.002-05:00

Valid Feb 6 & 7 only. Grab a mug of hot chocolate and sit down and order a few prints from http://photos.allebachphotography.com

Use coupon code: SnowDay

The Trocadero aka The Troc aka The Punk Rock Show Engagement Session

2010-01-28T23:48:00.006-05:00

Amanda & Byron met while working at the Trocadero in Philadelphia so naturally we had to take their engagement photos there. I knew it would be dark so I pulled out all the stops and brought a whole ton of off camera lighting, flashes, led lights and such. Amanda & Byron didn't know what they were in for. Double exposures and 15 seconds of motionless holding of hands. I can't wait for their April wedding, what can I say they are both heavily tattooed :).

A special thanks to Cara Carlson who worked super hard to setup lights quickly and ran around like crazy flashing lights in the dark!

December Winter Wedding - Cameron Estates Inn

2010-01-28T23:35:00.002-05:00

This is Grace & John's winter wedding at Cameron Estates Inn in Mount Joy.

Goodnight.

Winter Wedding Preview - Grace & John

2010-01-26T01:36:00.003-05:00

I can't imagine what Grace & John were thinking when they woke up the morning of their wedding on Dec 26. They had plans of an outdoor winter ceremony among the snow. What they got was a rainy, foggy, dreary day....but we made lemonade out of lemons. John & Grace decided it was okay after the ceremony to go out into the rain and trudge through snow and mud. The result, some of my most favorite wedding photos of the year. Here is a preview of one of the photos from our crazy outdoor session in the rain...more to come later in the week.

I used the fog, the rain and snow to our advantage and while Grace tried not to get too muddy. This wedding was loads of fun...you'll have to come back to see the rest.

(Info for Strobists or photos geeks - Strobe with umbrella front with CTO gel, Bare flash behind couple and the lens naturally gives the flare). Shortly after this shot my SB800 became water logged and stopped working.

The Family

2010-01-26T00:59:00.004-05:00

On Saturday I pulled out a sheet of grey paper and stuck the kids in front of the window. We needed some new photos of the twins! There is something about babies and window light that just works. I even shot them in a sepia / Black and White (normally I shoot everything in color and change to black and white.

Evan

Caleb

Elijah

(These cute puppies are available through adoption at PAWS in Philadelphia or watch them on their live puppy cam)

The Unwanted

2010-01-22T00:06:00.006-05:00

For Martin Luther King Day I got together a few photographers and we volunteered by taking photos at different nonprofits in the Philadelphia region. Our last stop was PAWS on 2nd street, the no kill shelter in Old City.

Anyway meet the most unwanted cat in Philadelphia, Smokey.

Hi, I’m Smokey! I have been at PAWS for a FULL YEAR! I would really like to go to a home of my own, but I seem to be the most unwanted cat in the building. I have seen so many of my friends leave, but nobody wants to take me. I have something called Diabetes, but if you adopt me I come with the rest on my insulin, syringes and some food to get you started. The insulin shot sounds scary, but it’s really not! It is a very tiny needle and I barely even notice it. I currently eat wet food only and have a list of different flavors and brands that I can eat.

I would prefer to be the only cat, but wouldn’t mind living in a house with another calm cat. You would just need to make sure that we are fed separately because if I eat the wrong food it will give me an upset stomach. I like being pet (sometimes), but am independent and would be fine being home by myself while you are at work.

Please come and see me. I am a pretty girl (if I do say so myself!)! I would really love to get of this cage and have my chance to have a real home.

More info: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=12853973

2009 and 2010 Update

2010-01-06T01:09:00.002-05:00

A lot has happened in the last 12 months. Back in January we showed at the Unbridaled Alternative Wedding Expo in Philadelphia. In May two months earlier than expected, Rachel and I along with our son Elijah welcomed twins Evan and Caleb into our lives, but they didn't make it home until after a 5 week stay at the NICU.

Over the course of the year we photographed a lot of weddings, engagements, family portrait, and senior portraits. We got blogged on WeddingBee, Offbeat Bride, Rock 'n Roll Bride, Philly.com, Utterly Engaged, ModernTribe, Bubbly Bride , Today's Lucky Bride and most recently theKnot.com. Also we're still guest bloggers over at gothic.weddings.com.

At the same time we were photographing amazing couples along the way BUT you've only seen a small sampling on this blog during the last year. So if you want to see more photos than we could ever manage to post here....

Become a fan on facebook

Allebach Photography on Facebook

Alice & Mark at Stotesbury Mansion Philadelphia

2010-01-06T00:06:00.004-05:00

Alice & Mark got married earlier this year and I gave everyone a sneak peak at their "cigar photo". It's been several months and looking back, this couple is so classic - I don't know how else to explain the two of them. It doesn't hurt that they got married at the beautiful Gothic church, St. Mary's on the campus of UPenn and had their reception at the Stotesbury Mansion across from Rittenhouse Square. Some of the beautiful photos taken below were on University of Pennsylvania's campus. Most of the weddings I am involved with are free of bridezilla chaos, but out of all the weddings this year, Alice seemed the most serene and relaxed.

Enjoy photos from this beautiful couple and wedding:

Old Fashion family portrait

Group cigar time!

Sneaking a kiss in the elevator at the Stotesbury

The Elevator at the Stotesbury

The staircase at the Stotesbury

I love fun dancing shots...Erik grabbed this one.

Photographers Only: Belkin n52 Review

2010-01-02T00:24:00.001-05:00

Belkin n52te Review

So this one is for the 257 photographers who stalk the blog. I really doubt brides read this thing anymore (if you are, you should comment a little more often), I just think it's other wedding photographers (you're not stalking if you leave a comment).

Anyway, if you've talked to me lately and your a photographer, usually after a bit I will start bragging about my Belkin n52te - my best purchase of 2009. It's this little 15 button device helps me process my photos at an amazing speed in photoshop lightroom. I think I bought it for like $75 at best buy several months ago. I think walmart might even sell it for around $50 now.

When I'm in lightroom, my fingers never touch the keyboard because I have every key I use frequently programmed into my Beklin n52. So you won't find me pulling my fingers off the mouse to find what keystroke I'm looking for. Believe it or not this can probably save you hours over a few weddings. Every button has become instinctual. I programmed the Belkin n52 from the ground up and tested it for months until finally I landed on the fastest key combos. You should expect as much, since this thing is made for destroying other players in World of Warcraft.

I give the n52te 6 stars out of 5, why? because I can. It is the best little invention for gaming turned into speed demon photo editing...now if I could only take less photos. If you are a wedding photographer who wants to speed up your work and spend more time with people rather than tied to a computer - this is something you can't live without.

To all the brides that just read this nerdy photographer post - sorry.

Want free programming lightroom for the n52te? Just comment below with your email address.

Punk Rock Bridals in Philadelphia

2009-12-23T00:04:00.006-05:00

So the Philly Photog Shootout happened. In case you haven't heard a Photog shootout is an event where photographers meet, photograph models and learn from each other. Anyway Rob "Ninja"
Nicholson contacted me because he wanted to get a punk rock bridal theme going and needed a few more models. So I reached out to the most amazing couples in the world (my clients) and got a few responses. Jess an amazing bride (and rollergirl) married earlier this year was one of the first to respond. Patty DeCasere (my old punk rock band's drummer's former band's singer's wife - got it?) did an amazing job giving Jess a mohawk.

Another friend Alicia from the 20s flapper shoot we did at the historic Stotesbury Mansion handled the costume design (available for wardrobe at belle_morte66@yahoo.com)

Robyn & John an engaged couple took a day and drove up from Annapolis and found the inner model in them. Really they just acted like themselves and everyone got great photos.

Erin Proud (wedding planner of Lori & Kevin's Eastern State Penitentiary wedding) channeled her inner anger and teenage angst for the shoot, along with an amazing wedding photographer turned model, Leslie Gilbert.

Despite shooting photos in what felt like subzero conditions in Center City Philadelphia, everyone seemed to be having a great time, networking and learning.

Now for some photos:

Getting Ready

Here is the short video by Aubert Films

View on ExposureRoom

Update: Sale extended until Dec 31

2009-12-21T19:11:00.001-05:00

20% Photo Sale / Coupon is extended until Dec 31 but that is it once the new year rolls around, we end the only sale that happened in the last 12 months. Buy photos online at http://photos.allebachphotography.com and put in coupon code: Christmas09

Snowy Day Christmas Sale - 20% Off

2009-12-20T11:45:00.002-05:00

ATTN: Clients & families and friends of Allebach Photography brides and grooms.

Order prints 20% off today only (DEC 20). It's the only sale of 2009! Check out http://photos.allebachphotography.com

COUPON CODE:
Christmas09

Photog Shootout Philadelphia - 12/18/09

2009-12-15T01:04:00.002-05:00

Hey Philadelphia area photographers. I am helping organize with the Photog Shootout Philadelphia this Friday. If you are wondering what a photog shootout is, it's a place where photographers get to photograph brides and models and learn from each other.

It's gonna be sick...cause the subject is Punk Rock Bridals (if I have my way a few tattoo brides or models will show).

See you there.

Help-Portrait Philadelphia

2009-12-13T19:43:00.008-05:00

Yesterday, I had a chance to host a giant portrait session with over two dozen other photographers, plus countless volunteers and makeup artists for 114 families (200+people) in Philadelphia.

Now these people weren't brides or models but they were Philadelphia's most overlooked. They shared with us big hearts and beautiful smiles. We gave them portrait sessions and hopefully a sense of beauty.

Photo with one of my beautiful subjects

Stories from photographers:
"one guy told me he hadn't had a picture taken of himself since grade school - now he is in his late 50's." - Gregory Cazillo

"another guy asked for an extra print so he could give one to his Mother and the other to his Grandmother." - Gregory Cazillo

"Admittedly, I was so nervous/intimidated/anxious/anythingbutconfident coming into this. But as the day went on, all of that kind of fell away after meeting the people and seeing their happiness and gratitude for their portraits." - Jennifer Wong

"one man said he hadn't smiled in years and years for a photo. His photo was gorgeous!" - Julia Spencer

"a lady said she had been having a bad day until she got to get her portrait taken." - Julia Spencer

"another man wanted to make sure he could give the portrait away to his mom for Christmas, and make sure the frame he picked out would be something she would like. It made me smile because our gift to him was being gifted back out to another." -Julia Spencer

A special thanks to everyone who made this possible: Celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart (for the idea), Plaza Flowers, Nancy Wright (Co-Leader and Marketing for event), Chosen 300 for use of their center, Merdis Foster, Jennifer Wong, Lauren Oppelt, Mike Landis, David Culton, Kevin High, Jeff Cohn, Dean Hettel Jaleel King, John Rozier, Tito Perez, Hillary Shemin, Blake Caldwell, Tracee Smith, Donna Walker, Sandy Edelstein, CJ Harker, Brandi Banta, Gregory Cazillo, Eric Spehr, Julia Spencer Kacey McGowan, Heather Shrigley, Corinne Gries, Bob and Penny Wunder, Pat Heileman, Cheryl Ensinger, Mandy Gebby and Steve Shemin.

The Update

2009-12-03T01:25:00.005-05:00

So much has been silent on the Allebach Photography blog front lately. But that doesn't mean we haven't been busy, rather the opposite. We've been too busy to BLOG! So we posted 3 images from a recent tattooed trash the dress session to hold you over.

We have 20 million weddings and sessions that never made it to the blog this year. Many of them will start cropping up on our Facebook page and some will start making it on the blog over the winter months.

Also we've been blogging over at Tattooed Bride and been a featured guest blogger by the Knot at Gothic Weddings

Follow Us on Facebook

2009-11-12T23:30:00.003-05:00

We're on Facebook. Let's be friends. We even have a nice address http://www.facebook.com/tattooedbrides

Allebach Photography on Facebook

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

2009-09-22T01:29:00.004-04:00

EDIT 1/5/2010: Here is a note they sent along:

Mike and his sidekick for the day, Erik, literally had to row into our wedding, but did so with smiles and laughs (even after I was found sleeping behind the couch in the bridal suite). They followed us around with some awesome candids and had some amazing ideas for the artistic side, too!

The engagement session was epic, as well, adding our goofy side and Mike's great eye for location and lighting. If there was one good thing to say about Allebach Photography, I'd be lost... because you can't find just one great thing- there's a million and one.

From the moment you meet Rachel and Mike, the ever dapper punk rocker Elijah (haven't met the twins), and Lady, you are welcomed into a whole new world of wedding treatment- they care about your wedding, your groom and even answer all of Mom's questions.
If they don't have your date available, wait til they do. "Worth-it" doesn't describe the full spectrum of their service and friendship.

P.S. There aren't enough stars in this rating system!
Thank you a billion and one times!!
xo
Chelley and Dave Martinka
8-2-09

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