Allegro Photography

State Room Boston Wedding – M+M

katerina — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 16:25:25 +0000

Gotta love a State Room wedding, especially when the fun actually starts in the clocktower of the Custom House for getting ready and portraits. Unbelievable day. Thank you to M+M’s Dream Team!

The post State Room Boston Wedding – M+M first appeared on Allegro Photography.

Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston Wedding – J+J

katerina — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 16:45:30 +0000

We just finished designing J+J’s wedding album and are so excited to see these images in print. Has me thinking of how amazing their day was and just had to share it.

Thank you to J+J’s Dream Team!

The post Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston Wedding – J+J first appeared on Allegro Photography.

State Room Boston Wedding-J+B

katerina — Thu, 16 May 2019 15:02:12 +0000

What do you get when you have a beautiful couple, beautiful weather, and a beautiful venue, so many opportunities to enjoy all of the beauty. So that’s what we did- All. Day. Long. Honestly, J+B are just delightful people to be around- smart, warm, happy. So we would have had a great day even if the light hadn’t been perfect or the venue hadn’t been one with a most perfect view. This duo celebrated at St. Leonard’s Church and partied it up in Boston‘s skies at The State Room, with sweeping views of our town. Sunset was dreamy up there, to be sure. A huge congrats to our amazing couple!

The post State Room Boston Wedding-J+B first appeared on Allegro Photography.

Renaissance Providence Hotel Wedding – A+M

jgately — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 14:58:57 +0000

When you look back on your wedding day, you are sure to remember the genuine smiles of friends and family surrounding you. And you will remember how it felt to see your bride or groom for the first time. And you will recall how much fun you had dancing the night away. You will also likely remember the weather, if you were married in New England, that is. Because our weather is always offering surprises. For A+M, that surprise came in the form of unseasonably cold winter weather (seriously like in the teens for the highs) and some light snow.

Initially we had planned to be outside for portraits- these two are such troopers- but once we walked out into the wind, we realized we would mostly be inside. Fortunately I was able to help them secure a time slot inside the beautiful Rhode Island State House. With snow on the ground and holiday decorations inside, we certainly felt the celebratory nature of the season. Best of all, we had a great time and got great photos, regardless of Old Man Winter’s unexpected plans.

Thank you to all the vendors who helped make Alison and Matt’s day special!

The post Renaissance Providence Hotel Wedding – A+M first appeared on Allegro Photography.

Four Seasons Boston Wedding Inspiration and Decor

Joanna — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 21:15:28 +0000

The Four Seasons Boston is truly an ideal place to get married. Directly across from the Public Garden, it is situated in a prime location for iconic outdoor Boston photos and great views. The service at the hotel is impeccable and the recent renovations allow for any style or look to sing. That said, I have never seen the ballroom as beautiful as it was for I+B’s wedding.

Janie Haas and her team along with the magic makers at Lotus Floral Events created a warm, chic, joyful space for the ballroom reception with bright maroon and magenta florals which followed an all white romantic ceremony in the Governors Room. Both rooms were magical. Oh and the various lounge areas set up in the ballroom lobby and the ballroom itself allowed for guests to kick back and relax while enjoying great company, good food, and an awesome band.

Thank you to I+B’s dream team of amazing vendors!

Ceremony & Reception: Four Seasons Boston | Event planner: Janie Haas Events | Floral Design: Lotus Floral Events | Lighting Design: Suzanne B. Lowell Lighting Design | Photographer: Allegro Photography

The post Four Seasons Boston Wedding Inspiration and Decor first appeared on Allegro Photography.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

jgately — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 16:00:06 +0000

We love weddings, yes we do. But there is nothing like your very own wedding.

But not only was our wedding amazing and the beginning of a grand adventure, it offered us a chance to learn more about ourselves, what matters to us and how to be better wedding photographers. Here are some of the things we learned:

We love, love, love the photos of our family and friends. Our pics are pretty but seeing them happy and engaging with each other always makes us smile.
Wedding time is a real thing. As the bride and groom, you have no idea that you are late or how long you are actually taking, because you really wish you could stop time. Alas you can’t. Everything zips by. That’s the bad news. The good news is that it is still amazing, and hopefully you get some great documentation of the day so you can relive it. Plus planning more events for the weekend makes it seem a little longer.
What people care about- you. They want to help. Let them.
What people don’t care about- wedding favors and aisle runners.
Hire good people and let it go.
In particular, surround yourself with pros you trust and like. You will be more at ease and happier about handing over the checks.
Take time to enjoy the day. Look around, especially during the ceremony. Let the warmth sweep over you. Breathe it in. This is some really good stuff.

And now here’s a little glimpse at August 28, 2005. It’s lucky 13!

Venues: Oakland Morcom Rose Garden, Hacienda de Las Flores | Photo creds to: Christine Luong, Peter Chang, Bob Kaplan and Jay Kelly Photography.

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Willowdale Estate Wedding – L+E

jgately — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 16:00:51 +0000

Now that it is steaming hot outside, I like to look back at our winter weddings. And one of my absolute favorites is the Willowdale Estate wedding of L+E. These two are such a treat to be around. We actually met L and formed a friendship when she was an intern with SD Events. When she got engaged, we couldn’t have been more excited. We were also thrilled when she hired another SD alum, Renee principal planner and designer at Urban Soiree.

So many things made this wedding extra fabulous- our super relaxed couple was just the beginning. Also loved their wedding party and their families. All of the pros involved were absolutely amazing- from Renee to the crazy awesome team at Willowdale . And seriously the florals? Crazy beautiful. They brought tears to L’s eyes. And then there was the adorable flower girl, such a cutie. As she walked down the aisle, she very deliberately placed the flowers in even little piles along the way. So sweet.

Oh and last, but not least, we had the perfect winter weather, freshly fallen snow, and a couple who wanted to get in on it. Happy photographers, indeed.

Thank you to all the pros who helped make L+E’s day amazing! — Ceremony and Reception: Willowdale Estate | Event planner: Urban Soirée | Floral Design: Karla Cassidy Design | Ceremony Musician: Arreaux Strings | DJ: Beat Train Productions | Photographer: Allegro Photography

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The Ultimate Guide to the Perfect Engagement Session

jgately — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 12:40:48 +0000

The months-long (and in some cases years-long) anticipation has reached its end. The question has been popped, the ring slipped on, and the romantic story shared with family and friends. Perhaps even a wedding date has been set. Now what?!

If you are reading this, the next several months of your life may be filled with excitement, anxiety, and endless decisions to make your wedding the most amazing day. Of course, you will want to document all the special moments of your wedding day and the months of hard work you put toward it. Given that, requesting that your photographer to get to know you and your fiancé through an engagement photo session will be one of the best decisions you make. This is an opportunity, not only to professionally document the beginning of your love story, but also a chance to ease wedding day jitters by becoming comfortable with and trusting your photographer.

However, before you get in front of the camera, there are a few things you’ll have to consider and prepare. Each of them should be fun and exciting decisions to make. The following is our ultimate guide; it will provide you with three questions so you can focus on the most important considerations when creating your dream engagement album.

1. Location: Find a place special to you and your fiancé.

The sole purpose of this album is to celebrate the unique love that you have for one another. This means that the place where you decide to have your e-session should be one of particular significance, or where you can do a meaningful activity that you enjoy together. Some ideas to consider include:

Where you met
Where you got engaged
The bar where you get a drink each Thursday
The restaurant of your first date
The venue where you saw your favorite band together
Your living room, backyard, kitchen, or dinner table
Activities such as: sailing, playing games, cycling, walking the dogs, cooking, painting your house, or picking apples

2. Wardrobe: What colors and style represent you, and also work for the camera?

Perhaps the most sought-after advice when preparing for your e-session; what to wear for a professional photoshoot takes some (FUN) planning. Talk to your fiancé about the style you’re going for: casual, formal, or somewhere in between? Will your outfit work in the context of your desired location, as well as the time of year? Remember, your e-session is meant to authentically capture your relationship. These photos will last you a lifetime, and you’ll want to look back at them with confidence that what you were wearing represented you. This being said, while it may seem like a no-brainer to throw on your favorite outfit, it is important to consider these three fundamental suggestions that, if followed, the camera will love:

SIMPLICITY: When you opt for wearing solid colors (with the exception of a lot of white) instead of large patterns or graphics, you will eliminate the risk of your clothes catpuring all of the attention.
COORDINATION: Remember: compliment, don’t mirror (no matching outfits)! It is best to choose 2-3 complimentary colors between your two outfits, and it is okay if your clothes have small patterns of muted or harmonious colors. Another tip? Blue jeans work with any color combination!
FLATTERY: Certain clothing material and fit may look different in a singular snapshot than in person. From our experience, we have cultivated the following suggestions regarding clothing type:
- Stay away from jersey material, such as polo shirts.
- If wearing a skirt, choose a hem-line that allows you to sit without showing too much leg.
- Avoid tops that flare out just below the bust line – they hide your figure.
- If shoes will be worn, make sure they are clean and that socks are dark.

If you still aren’t sure if the outfit you choose works, discuss your options with your photographer! Bringing a second outfit is never a bad idea. For the grooms-to-be, consider bringing a blazer, sweater, or long-sleeve button down shirt than can be worn over your shirt to easily mix things up.

A note on hair and makeup: the same rules apply regarding authenticity; do not feel the need to go over the top. It is a myth that you need heavier makeup than usual for photographs, and hairstyle should feel comfortable and familiar. We have had clients who regret getting special hair appointments for their e-sessions because the style was unusual for them. Be you!

3. Accessories: What is meaningful to incorporate, and what isn’t?

It is important to decrease the amount of items that you’ll find yourself fiddling with or adjusting throughout your photoshoot, so we recommend that both men and women remove watches, and that any jewelry be small. If you wear glasses and want them for the photos, it is important that you not wear transition lenses; they’ll turn dark outside and hide your beautiful eyes. Any purses or pocket-carrying items such as wallets, cell phones, keys, makeup, mirrors, or combs should be emptied and put in a backpack that your photographer can carry as you move.

As for The Ultimate Accessory, your engagement ring, there is no single formula for how to incorporate that special piece of jewelry into your photos. Discuss with your photographer how and to what degree you’d like it displayed, as there are many approaches you can take with showing off your rock. Your e-session will be a time during which your ring could be on display. Ensure you are happy with ring sizing and styling. Blue Nile’s Engagement Rings page offers comprehensive information on all of these important considerations.

Above all, the most important thing to prepare when approaching your engagement session is a positive attitude. These pictures are meant to capture the genuine excitement and happiness that this time holds for you. Relax into the presence of your fiancé, trust your photographer, and have a blast!

The post The Ultimate Guide to the Perfect Engagement Session first appeared on Allegro Photography.

Wellesley High Senior Portraits with Miss M

jgately — Tue, 31 Jul 2018 16:00:20 +0000

Miss M is all about amazing style. Here’s the thing, Miss M brought 3 different outfits to her session, but they felt like they could all be from the same collection. She was stretching into different sides of herself. It was perfect.

She is independent, strong and brought it all to the table for her senior session at Wellesley College last fall. When we met, we talked about the buildings and including some of the stunning architecture as a backdrop, but I think it turned out that our favorite images are actually the purple floral dress with the warm reds of the autumn grasses.

Congrats to Miss M on graduation from Wellesley High School this spring. I can’t wait to see where your future takes you.

The post Wellesley High Senior Portraits with Miss M first appeared on Allegro Photography.

Wayland High Senior Portraits with Miss J

jgately — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 16:00:48 +0000

Ok, friends, you are gonna love meeting Miss J. She is smart, spunky, sassy, sunny and an absolutely beautiful young lady from Wayland High School‘s Class of 2018. When she contacted me last fall, I was so excited to get to know her.

She and her mom joined me at Wellesley College on a warm September day and we toured the beautiful campus looking for great spots. I couldn’t believe the diversity we discovered. As it turns out, we all love the Aspen-like trees and the tall grasses, but when J’s mom found the balloons left behind following a wedding ceremony, we were completely enamored. Too much fun.

Congrats, Miss J! I can’t wait to see what your future at University of Miami brings. Here’s to the next great adventure.

The post Wayland High Senior Portraits with Miss J first appeared on Allegro Photography.