Do you recall that delicious post about our Philly adventures?  Within our first hour of landing in Pennsylvania we were already in heaven.  We had no idea of what was in store just a few days later… Gwenn and Brian’s wedding was a breath of fresh air in more ways than one.

After a peaceful morning with the girls as they all got ready for the day, we headed to Doylestown for portraits at the unbelievably gorgeous property called the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works

This is a fire place - it’s the most fascinating fire place that I have ever met.  Gwenn and Brian adorn it so well!

The night before the wedding we had driven from Philadelphia to Doylestown and absolutely fell in love with this majestic town.  It was a must for a few quick photos downtown as well.

Then on to the garden ceremony at The Manor House at Commonwealth

The ceremony was followed by a cocktail and reception, a lot of laughs and a heap of memorable moments - this might be a bit mushy but I feel so lucky that we were chosen to capture it all.

JMC is still slightly obsessed with John Singer Sargent’s El Jaleo painting which has shown in his work over the last 3 or 4  years.  This is the closest he has come in remaking the famous painting it which he was able to do after finding the perfect couple for such a project.  Joyce and Rick’s story just happens to come together over a flamenco dance and now they are soon to be wed.  You can certainly feel the romance with this couple.

And a few portraits for everyone’s viewing pleasure…

Lori White on Hair and Make up

It’s always a pleasure to have your expectations of a shoot to just change right when you start shooting. That was exactly the case with Jane, just after a few clicks of the shutter this portrait session seemed to turn into a fun fashion shoot around the Wynn hotel, on the Strip and then into the beautiful light of the desert.

We were delighted when Karin contacted us for photos of herself and her husband while they were in town all the way from Maryland.  The occasion?  Karin’s 40th birthday - I have my fingers crossed that I look half as hot as Karin when I reach 40 - Wowsa!  Heath, your a lucky man…

this last set is my fav… JMC can really work those hot lights.  Hair & Make Up by the Lovely Ms. Lori White

Natalie and Chris, a vow renewal after 10 years.   Looking closely at the chapel photo from ten years ago and then at Natalie and Chris now, all I can say is WOW!  If a decade of time and marriage has this kind of affect on them, then I can’t imagine how they’ll look after 20…

Model: Jamillette Gaxiola
Stylist: Christine Steele
Hair and Make up: Lori White
Lighting: JR Lighting
Photography: John Michael Cooper
Product: Eric Andrew Collection

Tivon, Kiera, Willie, Randi & Naazir.  If you know this family than you really know how suitable this is for them as they are real life super stars - amazingly giving, ethical and passionate with all that they do.  I believe the red carpet was made just for them.

Thank you to RSVP for the set up and to Tuxedo Junction for dressing the men so handsomely!

A sweet disorder in the dress
Kindles in clothes a wantonness:
A lawn about the shoulders thrown
Into a fine distraction–
An erring lace, which here and there
Enthrals the crimson stomacher–
A cuff neglectful, and thereby
Ribbands to flow confusedly–
A winning wave, deserving note,
In the tempestuous petticoat–
A careless shoe-string, in whose tie
I see a wild civility–
Do more bewitch me than when art
Is too precise in every part.

We seriously can’t get enough of the gracious Ms. Ricci.  We photographed her wedding and bridal session, her pin up session and now her anti-bridal photos.  Now all we need are maternity and newborn;)  As you may or may not know, JMC has been coined as the “godfather” of the Trash the Dress phenomenon. Considering we actually don’t even offer “Trash the Dress” sessions, we find it humorous.  But we do offer anti-bridals and we do not offer them to just anyone.  Not only is there a hefty price tag attached to these but this art is more about the concept and about finding the right person.  John Michael Cooper came up with this idea just under a year ago while photographing a live concert.  Ricci was the perfect subject and when she arrived for her pin up shoot, we explained that we had finally formed the concept for her very own anti-bridal.

Make up by Jolana Adamson

VS.

As the story goes, In 1930 it was Pat Olivieri who created the steak sandwich and began selling them out of pushcarts.  Business took off and somewhere around 1940 he opened his restaurant.  It wasn’t until 1966 that Joe Vento opened up Geno’s just across the way claiming that he “perfected” the Philly Cheese steak.  We ordered a “Whiz With” from each location along with some fries and JMC’s favorite - a diet coke and compared the two.  My opinion?… they both had their own “special touch” so you will have to decide for yourself.  A word of wisdom?… learn how to order before you actually get to the window and do not, under any circumstances, expect to be greeted kindly - they just want to get their steaks in your hands, leaving no time to talk about the wonderments of life.

Just after our rendezvous with Philly’s iconic competitors we were taken to the gorgeous Loew’s of Philadelphia.  As I could not get enough of our panoramic view from our suite, JMC was infatuated with all of the architecture, vaults and other treasures that were preserved in the building from the days that it use to be the Philadelphia Saving Fund Society, founded in 1816.

More to come from this Pennsylvania adventure including Gwenn & Brian’s delightful wedding!

Jessica and Matt had a gorgeous Four Seasons wedding so imagine how psyched we were when Jessica decided to do a bridal session.  Where, you ask?  Only one of the coolest places in Las Vegas… should we have you guess?

love her Louboutin’s…

If you have ever seen Cirque Du Soleil’s Love, you might recognize a few of these pieces.  Yep, we shot this session on the Love stage.. we are really, really lucky.

Add a smokin’ hot couple and we admit, we are beyond lucky.

So… it’s August but definitely not to early to start thinking about that perfect gift for that hot guy in your life…. and a little black book of you at your sexiest is certainly going to top a new lawn mower or a terrible tie, now isn’t it?

You might remember Ricci as one of our sweet, innocent brides - although she is still just as sweet and innocent as ever, you now know exactly how lucky her husband is.

Call or email us asap to get on our October calendar - this will give you just enough time to get your order in for the holidays.  702.860.3653 info@altf.com

xxx - dalisa

Ricci’s hair was styled by Desiree and her make up was done by Alana at Christophe Salon at the MGM

The two best times of the day for a location shoot? Evening…. a little bit before the sun sets, just shoot through it. And before the sun rises and shoot through that..  Yessica and Christian opted for a sunrise bridal session.  Sunrise in the desert is always a special time, for one - it’s much cooler in the morning and 2nd, after seeing the beautiful colors changing in the morning sky you still have the whole day ahead of you. I think that is why I am a morning person.

Long Island, NY

Michelle and Rick are as real as it gets.  These two are made for each other, you can just feel it when you are around them.  (Oh, and should I say it people??… daaaaaarling dress!!)  Michelle and her girls were styled by the fabulous Ms. Erica from PodSpa

The wedding party was a riot - so many personalities and a whole lot of ink!

The ceremony, cocktail and reception took place at Dowling College - an old W.K. Vanderbilt property transformed into a private college campus.  The property was lush and the details were immeasurable - Rick and Michelle certainly scoped out a gem of a location to celebrate.

The ceremony was about 10 seconds long - the quickest ceremony I have ever seen and then it was time for more portraits!  (ya, we are pretty damn lucky to have such rad clients)

Rick also arranged to have some eye candy there which made JMC even happier than he already was…

And on with the reception - it was a lot of fun, dancing and laughter - everything you want when all of your friends and family come together

As I began with this post, Rick and Michelle are truly the kind of people that I can appreciate - real, down to earth and loving.  Being that Rick is also a very talented photographer, we are super lucky and completely honored to have taken part in this heart-stirring day!

Amy came in to assist us this time… Some of you may know that we offer private workshops for other photographers.  Included in those private workshops is a couple of instructional shoots tailored to the specific interests of the photographer attending.  In this case, JMC was sharing techniques on lighting and portraiture and Amy made a fantastic model.  This post also provides a good example of how we do our “headshots” at the Altf Studio since we do not usually share those shoots on our blog.

Not only is Amy a stunning model and fantastic friend but she has also been my hair stylist for at least 9 years now.  If you are local and looking for someone who is amazing at color and adverse and current with cuts and styling, definitely go see her at Liasons Salon.

If your coming all the way across the country to get married, it’s hard to do better than the big desert skies of Nevada as your cathedral.  Kristine and Ian did just that, having a simple ceremony in the awe-inspiring Valley of Fire.  The weather, clouds and light could not have been more perfect for this gorgeous couple. And do I even need to mention how cool they are dressed?!

A studio engagement session.  Shooting in the studio is always a challenge, that’s why I’ve wanted one for all of my career.  Absent a great vista, the brilliant desert skies, and the classic western sunset, the portraits have to be all about the dynamic between the couple, no crutch of a beautiful background to help save the day.  As you can see below, Jason and Stephenie are just that, a fun and dynamic couple who’s laughter and smiles takes over the images and lets you know exactly what kind of fun people they are.  If the wedding comes out half as fun as this session was, then it is going to be one hell of a day!  Can’t wait!

.john.

Hand us a great location and an even greater couple and we almost feel guilty for calling it work.  Ashley and TJ put together this tropically stylish event to celebrate their love for each other.  We were so lucky to be a part of it.

The ceremony took place on the beach, the weather could not have been more perfect.  There is something about a cool breeze and the sound of the ocean that makes me feel at ease and dreamy.

We headed out for some killer portraits… seriously, you really can’t go wrong.  Hot couple + gorgeous location = bad ass photos, for sure.

This group was so fun, Ashley and TJ have certainly surrounded themselves with great people!

I loved, loved, loved! Ashleys dress!  The perfect style to compliment her resort wedding on the beach.  And I must say, TJ looked pretty hot himself!

Their reception dinner was at La Frida restaurant - course, after course the food and wine pairings were delicious!  JMC and I felt like guests and a part of the group - we even snorkeled and hung out by the pool… like I said, it’s hard to call this work.  But know how fortunate we are - not only to get to go to really great places but I measure our fortune by the great people that are brought into our lives - Ashley and TJ and their wonderful family are a prime testament to that.  Thank you both for the opportunity and for making us feel so  welcome and a part of your celebration.  We wish all the love in the world to you!

bad ass cars just seem to find us.  If only their owners knew they were being driven in more than one way…. meet Todd and Crystals ‘53 Chevy.  ”She’s a beauty, ain’t she?” - quote of some guy, one day probably in the south somewhere

Crystal and Todd have the whole package: looks, smarts and love

Their August wedding is going to be one hot event!  Can’t wait to see what photos come from it!  Until then….

First things first!  How gorgeous is this hairstyle??  I love, love, love it and Jessica wore it beautifully! …. ahhhh… another brilliant event by the Four Seasons of Las Vegas.  Simply flawless every time.

After Jessica and Mick’s first meeting they went right into some super cool portraits

Then it was time for the ceremony… I do love this bottom right photos of the best man holding both rings on his fingers during the ceremony

And the reception was gorgeously adorned with pinks and greens and ivory’s - it was a lovely day and I’m quite jealous I wasn’t able to be at this one.  Best wishes to the new Mr. & Mrs.!

This super star couple came out to Vegas to celebrate their 10 year wedding anniversary - what better way to mark such an occasion than with some portraits?

We decided to share a few outdoor shots with you as well as a few studio frames