“He treats weddings as individually as the people in them.” – Inked Magazine, April 2014

Welcome! I make people feel comfortable being photographed.  It’s why awesome people like you book me.  

We aren’t the photographer for everyone.  But we might be the perfect photographer for you!  You’ve probably visited 100 wedding photographers websites and saw the same poses over and over and over and then you came here and saw something different.  What you see is almost no posed photos at all.  Just couples being themselves.  Our portraits show off people in their natural state and feeling beautiful.

Photographing people and making them feel comfortable is my full time business.  I photograph everyone but people know me for photographing Tattooed People, Nerdy Folk, Colorful Gay Couples, Book Worms & Party Animals. I give every couple 100% and do everything I can to be the best wedding photographer.

So here’s why I love people like you.

[image_left image_url=”/wp-content/uploads/IMG_5658-300×200.jpg”]So there was this moment when I was in school, where I stood outside the group and waited for someone to say “hi”.
Maybe I was too shy, too eccentric, didn’t have the right clothes, didn’t have my shit together, didn’t like “their” music and I wondered why I had to play by their rules….and I waited…

I can’t help but believe the reason you are reading this is you’ve had that feeling once or twice in your life. Or maybe your life has been consumed by this feeling.

In the end, what I do isn’t about photography, photos or tattooed brides…it’s a desire to show everyone their story is important. I don’t pretend to run a normal wedding photography business or think this is normal.

Quirky, colorful, creative, awesome people choose Allebach Photography.  I have photographed offbeat, gay, trans, straight, straight-edge, roller girl, nerdy, steampunk, punk rock, rockabilly, tattooed, not-tattooed, interfaith and couples with disabilities.  Some people give their weddings a label or a style.  And some couples just celebrate marriage.

What people tell me is I’m accepting. No matter what group, condition, life-stage or lifestyle you consider yourself to belong to, I can photograph your union and your partner in crime.

All I ask is that you show your true colors.

Your story matters. Your story is worth telling. So let’s take some photos….

xoxo,

-Mike

“Mike Allebach possesses an amazing ability to naturally photograph life on the fringe” – Rebel Ink Magazine, January 2014

Contact us here to photograph your badass headshot, family session or wedding

[dropcap color=”333333″ background_color=”ffff00″] I[/dropcap] can tell you about how much I love photography but I won’t.  I love people more – getting to know people and hearing their story and what makes them unique. My favorite clients are the ones I’d hang out with (it’s amazing how my clients end up being those kind of people).

[pull_quote_right]People feel comfortable around me.[/pull_quote_right]

Be Yourself
The uniqueness of my photos comes from the uniqueness of my clients. And I believe I have the best, most unique clients in the world. People let down their guard around me which allows me to the wonderful images you view on this site.

Let me explain, I’ve photographed couples on a concert stage, in abandoned warehouses, with fire whips and breathing fire, in craft beer bars, on the top of earth moving machinery, in water balloon fights, throwing paint…all the usual kind of stuff.

Some of Allebach Photography couples are heavily tattooed but we photograph anyone who gets what we do. Every person and every couple is unique. I think my photos reflect that.

So…Why do I photograph Tattooed Brides?
In my heart I’m instinctively inclusive, always looking for ways to draw others into the circle and make them feel wanted, heard, and appreciated. It’s my punk rock ethic. I think that everyone deserves to love, be loved and we should all live a story worth telling full of tragedy, failure, love and grace.  And damnit I’m tired of wedding magazines telling people to cover up their tattoos.

Tattooed Brides
When I started photographing tattooed brides, no one was showing off wedding photos with tattooed couples in them.  Tattoos were something to be covered up and hidden. One of my tattooed brides was told by another photographer that she met with “I’ll airbrush out your tattoos for a fee.”   She lost the deposit she put down and went with me.  I’m glad that I could be a part of the Offbeat Rock n Roll wedding revolution that Ariel of Offbeat Bride and Kat of Rock n Roll bride helped create.

Featured/Press
In 2013 Allebach Photography was rated Top 5 Wedding Photographer in Philadelphia by the Philly Hotlist. Our photos and stories have been featured all over the world on over 100 blogs, websites, magazines, internetTV and newspapers. Including Inked Magazine, Offbeat Bride, Rock n Roll Bride, Yes Bride, Philadelphia Wedding Magazine, Christopher Reeve Foundation, FroKnowsPhotoTV, MimikaCooneyTV, Fstoppers, Petapixel, Marry Me Ink, Rebel Ink Magazine and over 100 more. Google Mike Allebach or Allebach Photography to see where we’ve been featured lately!

Viral Wedding Tips Blogger
I understand that picking wedding vendors and planning a wedding is a huge task.  And for some people seems stressful.  That’s why I write tips for brides & grooms at http://www.tattooedwedding.com . It’s free. But there is a good chance you’ve read one of my articles if you read Offbeat Bride.  I’m a guest blogger for Offbeat Bride and my articles on various blogs have been read by over 1/2 million people.  You can get tips from my website http://www.tattooedwedding.com 

Giving Back
I believe whole-effing-heartily in what I do.  Every year I lead and organize the Philadelphia arm of the Help-Portrait, an organization that allows less fortunate people to get photos around the holidays.  Together we have taken & printed photos of 1,000 homeless & low income people at no cost to them.

My photography has also supported adoption through The Heart Gallery, a volunteer organization that allows professional photographers to take amazing photos of kids who need families.

I also work with Tattoo shops and tattoo artists to release calendars to raise money for cancer research.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope to speak with you soon and learn your story and photograph what makes you unique.

Tips for Tattooed Brides

So I write tips for tattooed brides and interview the biggest names in the industry. Sign up at http://www.tattooedwedding.com 

Contact us here to photograph your badass headshot, family session or wedding

 “Allebach Photography totally gets Offbeat Brides.” –  Offbeat Bride

In the News

No other wedding photographer in the Philadelphia region has been recognized or featured in more places than Mike Allebach.  Here is a small sampling of some of the over 100 magazines, blogs & websites he has been featured.

The Tattooed Wedding Photographer: Mike Allebach (April 2014)

Rebel Ink: Jan 2014 – 4 page spread on Allebach Photography

Something old, something new… something tattooed! Brides embrace their bold inkings for ‘badass’ wedding photos (shared 1,461+ times!)

Photographer Captures ‘Badass’, Unconventional Photos Of Tattooed Couples

Mike Allebach Photographs Colorful Couples with this Camera Gear

Petapixel: Badass Brides by Mike Allebach

Rock n Roll Bride: Day of the Dead

MyWedding.com: Unique Tattooed Riverside Wedding

Rock n Roll Bride: Andi & Bryan’s Vegan Vintage Sideshow Wedding

Turning Pro Magazine: – Allebach Photography Profile

Philadelphia Inquirer: Lori and Kevin’s Prison Wedding

Philadelphia Inquirer: Burn the Dress

Bride Guide: KJ & Christian’s Themed Water Balloon Engagement

One Example Of Becoming a Successful Photographer Through Specialization

Contact us here to photograph your badass headshot, family session or wedding

Allebach Photography FAQs.

I don’t like being in front of a camera but I want photos that show my personality, can you help me?
This is my specialty.  I will make you feel comfortable on your wedding day.  My goal is to leave you with a feeling that a good friend photographed your wedding and got the most awesomest (not a word, I know) photos of you.

I don’t have tattoos but I like your photos, can you photograph my wedding?
Yes! Many of my clients don’t have tattoos, they just want someone who will photograph their wedding  without reservation.  All of our clients choose us because I understand how to make couples comfortable.

Do you travel?
Yes, I travel anywhere in the United States.  A quickly growing percentage of our weddings occur outside of Pennsylvania.

I want to book you for my wedding.  What is the next step?

Contact us and the office ninja will double check that your date is available.  If it is, we’ll schedule a phone consult, skype or in person meeting.   After that all we need is a $1000 retainer (some people call this a deposit) to book your wedding.

Why don’t you list your prices for wedding photography?
Each package is customized to the needs of the couple.  I regularly photograph couples that thought they could never afford my services.  I offer special packages to offbeat couples and tattooed brides. Contact us for our latest specials.

Why do you take photos of tattooed brides?
Short answer:  I love inviting people with different ideas in and helping them with their creative vision. For 4 years I was in a punk rock band and thought it would be amazing to see brides with tattoos (at the time I had never seen photos of a heavily tattooed bride)

Do you barter?
Yes, if you make kick ass stuff it’s possible, just ask on the contact form.

I’m a casting agent for a wedding show, are you interested in sending me the info on your tattooed brides?
No, we no longer take inquires from Casting Agents for reality TV.  Please stop contacting us, our brides are not for sale.

Is it true that you offer discounts to tattooed brides, offbeat brides or rock n roll brides?
Yes, I offer a special wedding photography package for tattooed brides and brides looking for an alternative to “cookie cutter wedding photography”.  Contact us for the special package.

I have this crazy idea, can you photograph it?
Yes!  I help couples with creative visualization for stylized photo sessions they absolutely love.

Do we get Wedding High Resolution Images to keep?
Yes.  You can get unwatermarked photos to post on facebook or whatever you do with High Resolution images.  I can give you files on dropbox or a fancy DVD.

Do you accept credit cards?
Yep.  You can pay with cash, credit card or check.

How much equipment do you carry?

I have a suitcase full of equipment and backups to all my equipment.  This is my life and I take my job seriously.

Are you insured?
Yes, I have both equipment insurance and a $1million liability policy that our insurance can provide to your wedding venue.

How are my photos stored?
I immediately back up your photos offsite and onsite.  By the time your wedding photos are processed they are in 3 secure locations across the United States.

What is your wedding deposit/retainer?
$1000.  We only accept 1 full wedding a day currently.  The retainer of $500 allows us to turn away weddings on your wedding date.

I really want you to photograph my wedding but ______________________
A lot of people wonder if we can photograph their wedding.  Sometimes the best thing to do is schedule a time to talk with me or meet with me.

Do you have a facebook page?
Check it out at http://www.facebook.com/tattooedbrides

What about an instagram?
Sure do!  Check it at http://www.instagram.com/tattooedbridephotoguy

I heard you email out awesome stress saving wedding tips to brides & grooms.  Is that true?
Yep, get them at http://www.tattooedwedding.com .  You don’t need to be a client and we’ve interviewed some of the biggest names in offbeat wedding planning for great tips!  They are free and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Does “The Tattooed Bride Photographer” Mike Allebach photograph at all the weddings?
Yes, all wedding photography is handled by Mike Allebach.

So let’s talk about your wedding!  Click here to contact me!

And here is the lame Allebach Photography bio you probably were expecting [but our editor left in sarcastic remarks in for your reading pleasure]:

We love taking pictures [no surprise there]. We’d love to take your photos [redundant, writing style of a kindergartner]! We mix photojournalism, candid portraits and creative photography approaches to capture the most beautiful weddings in Norristown, West Norriton, North Wales, Lansdale, Philadelphia, Pa, Bucks County, Pa, Montgomery County, Pa and Worldwide [really? sounds like mumbo jumbo – just write “kick ass wedding photographers”]. Whether you are planning an outdoor wedding at the Morris Arboretum in Chestnut Hill or an extravagant wedding in Center City Philadelphia or at the Drexelbrook in Drexelhill, Allebach Photography can handle your wedding photography needs [yawn].

Find out why Allebach Photography rank at the top and among the best Philadelphia wedding photographers [No need to brag – I can name at least three other photographers who are better than you].  When someone thinks of the best wedding photographers in philadelphia, I want them to think of Allebach Photography.

To schedule an appointment or engagement photography session please contact them at 610.539.6920 or by filling out our contact form. [Ya think?]

Allebach Photography serves Philadelphia, Bucks County, Chester County, Lancaster County, Montgomery County, Lehigh Valley, Radnor, Villanova, and the Mainline. Allebach Photography also serves the following areas Doylestown, Haverford, Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd, Bryn Mawr Berwyn, Rosemont, Devon, Gladwyne, Paoli, Malvern, Merion, Narberth, St. Davids, Radnor, Strafford, Villanova, Wayne and Wynnewood. [What is this crap? Just delete it!]

We specialize in Wedding Photography and Engagement Photography in Philadelphia, the Mainline, Montgomery County, Bucks County, Delaware County, Doylestown and Chester County. Allebach Photography also has Engagement Photography, Family Photography and Portrait Photography in the Philadelphia area (Center City, North Philly, West Philly & South Philly). [No need to be so specific – Delete all listings of towns]

 Okay, so click here to contact Allebach Photography