Tattoo Stories: Whole Again, Sparrows & Mended Hearts

I wasn't going to post any of the tattoo stories project from our shoot on Saturday.  But I read over Tanya's email today and felt, I just had to share:

Lets just say, my life hasn't been what you'd call easy. I'm not complaining, I'm not looking for sympathy, I'm simply stating fact. I do everything backwards, and i ONLY learn lessons the hard way. Its really just who I am.

So, after a tumultuous childhood and a string of shitty relationships with boys that needed a mother and not a girlfriend, i found myself pregnant by a guy I'd been "casually dating" for 4 months. I had just gotten a new job at a prison, (yup, I said prison) and I thought that my only option was to make it work, so for the duration of my pregnancy, and the first year of my sons life, that's what I did. I tried, and tried, and tried... while he  stole from me, lied to me, bounced from job to job, and made it his daily goal to make me feel unattractive, worthless and sad.

And then, I broke. I couldn't pretend anymore, his lies made me a liar. I needed to do better, to BE better for my baby!! I decided that it was over.

The first time that I met my husband I was 7 months pregnant. I asked my Lt who the hot new Sgt was, and she told me to keep my crazy pregnant hormones in check. I worked for another month, and then went out on a 6 month maternity leave. I had so much drama in my life, that i just kind of forgot about that really cool tattooed Sgt with the buddy holly glasses.

The first time that I really "saw" my husband, was after I'd returned from maternity leave. I was dropping off paperwork to our headquarters when Brad came to retrieve a schedule. We exchanged some small talk and then I noticed that his eyes were two different colors. The sunlight hit his face in such a fashion that my breath stuck in my throat. i looked down to compose myself, and noticed the swallows tattooed on the backs of his hands. I grabbed one, and started very excitedly asking him about them. I told him that I'd always wanted swallows,  but never really knew how i wanted to incorporate them into a tattoo... then I realized that I was standing in the middle of the hallway, at my place of work, holding and literally stroking this guys hand that I didn't even know! I have this extreme talent of making awkward situations even more awkward, so of course that's what I did, and abruptly left the situation.

For whatever reason, he was cool with this. A few days later he called me in my office, offered me his phone number, and we made arrangements to go out that week. we kissed at the end of our first date. I fell in love at that very moment, in the third parking spot, at the TGI Fridays in Mount Laurel, NJ. We moved in together after our third date.

Bradley Smith is the inspiration behind my tattoo. Those red swallows swooped into my life so completely unexpectedly, and very literally took my broken heart and sewed it back together. I am more whole now then I have ever been, and I have my husband, our two children, a pair of swallows, and that awkward moment in the middle of a prison to thank for that.

Light Painting Engagement Experience Preview: Jane & Adam

Jane & Adam Engagement Preview: Light painting at WXPN's World Cafe Studios.  

All light painting done in camera.

Stephanie and RJ: Intimate, Culturally Infused Wedding

“I am completely blown away! I knew that you and your team would be awesome but...wow! Not only were you (both) so much fun, you captured every moment of our wedding day perfectly, I love the personality in the photos, they are truly priceless. And our guests loved you guys too! It was a wonderful experience, we can't thank you enough! Love all around!” Stephanie


We couldn’t let 2011 end without highlighting at least one more truly amazing wedding.  Stephanie and RJ hit the “intimate wedding” nail on the head.  Every aspect, from the classy Victorian venue to the infusion of  Indian cultural elements reflected warmth and love.
And so they met….
We met at the bar...is there really any other way?! We had both been frequenting the same local bar one summer. We were casually introduced one night by a mutual friend, who happened to be the bartender. After that we didn't run into each other again for months and then in the winter we both found ourselves there again. RJ walked me home, and hasn't left since!
Countdown to the wedding day:
18 months
Free Advice!
Get started early, the big day will be there before you know it! Also, stick to your guns and have the wedding you want as a couple, don't let anyone dictate or push their opinions into the planning.
The Wedding Day Headliner~
RJ: "My highlight of the day was finally putting the wedding bands on!"
Stephanie: "I loved the first dance, we were in our own little world."
Represented:
For us, it was all about the venue. We had a difficult time in the beginning finding the perfect spot that reflected our love of Victorian/classic style but still felt warm and intimate and could cater to a smaller group. When we walked into Lippincott we immediately knew it would be our place. We had a total of 42 guests in the end, which was right on track of what we were hoping for. It left a very intimate vibe which we loved.
Originally we were going to have 2 ceremonies, one traditional Western and one Sikh. As the planning went underway it was clear that 2 ceremonies in one week would be quite overwhelming. Since RJ's grandmother was traveling from India it was important  to find a way to recognize and incorporate the culture in our current plans.
We decided on doing some henna, because what's a little more ink when you're already covered :) The sari change was a last minute decision, RJ's mom and I had purchased it together last year and I decided to surprise her and the family by changing after dinner. I also loved that while it was traditional dress, it was untraditionally black and white, which tied in well with the Western ceremony.

PS: If you just can't get enough of this couple, take a look at their engagement session.

Featured Tattooed Bride - Alicia

Alicia [tattooed bride] got married!  She is a friend, model, stylist of Allebach Photography.  Here is a teaser image from her epic tattooed wedding.

New to Allebach Photography: Newborn Sessions

“It goes by so fast!”  If you are a mother or a father, no doubt that you have heard family members, friends, acquaintances, even strangers say this a dozen times.  As irritating as it can be to hear the cliche over and over…it is the truth of the matter.  In a blink of an eye, the tiny fingers are throwing food across the kitchen and the teeny toes are running away from a diaper change. 
A Newborn Session is an opportunity to savor the precious first days of your baby’s life.  Rachel Allebach is able to capture the sweet stillness of your infant in gentle and unique ways....all while, the little bundle is sleeping soundly in baby dreamland!
If you are expecting, now is the time to contact us to find out more information and to reserve a time frame around your baby’s due date. 






Contact us for Newborn Session pricing and packages. Family sessions are also available.