JAMES ALLEN WEDDINGS MAGAZINE2

WEDDINGS
by James Allen
WHAT’S INSIDE:
As time goes by:
YOUR WEDDING TIMELINE
8 Sanity Soothers
In bloom:
CORA FLORA STUDIOS
So engaging:
IS AN ENGAGEMENT
SESSION FOR YOU?
Client Spotlight:
ASHLEY AND TOM’S
WINTER WEDDING
Photo albums:
PRODUCING YOUR OWN
GREATEST HITS
2017 Shoot & Share Photo
Contest: RESULTS
Spring 2017
complimentary

PASS
I am a shoot and Share photographer!
What does that exacty mean? Well, my primary goal is to shoot
fabulous images for you. My secondary goal is for you to share
these wonderful images free of copyrights with whomever you
choose. That means no extra charge to get the pictures you
deserve!
This means you get to download all of your images in high resolution
directly to your computer. You can back up your images
any way you want. You can share your link via email or through
your favorite social media platform. Family and guests from
anywhere in the world can view your gallery and download
your wedding images too!
is the company I use to host your wedding gallery. Here are
some highlights:
1. Your Gallery is on-line for 10 years! That’s right, on your 10
year anniversay you can show your kiddos your wedding
pictures.
2. Personal mobile APP : Take your pictures on the go.
Eating out to dinner and wnat to show your pictures off to
your fiiends? No problem
3. Social media sharing You can share your favorite
photos through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterestdirectly
from the PASS platform. No need to download to
your computer first.
4. Favorites: You can select, organize, download and order
your favorites with a few clicks!
5. One Click Downloads: In just one click you can download
all your pictures at once!
THE SECRET TO AMAZING IMAGES IS AN AMAZING STORY. YOUR STORY IS ALREADY AMAZING, BUT YOU DON’T NEED TO
TAKE MY WORD FOR IT. I WILL SHOW YOU. IMAGE BY IMAGE, YOU’LL SEE HOW RADIANT YOUR LOVE TRULY IS.

MY STORY
letters from you
FOREVER AND A DAY
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY FOR A LIFETIME
I grew up in Minneapolis, MN. My journey began after High
School when I decided to do volunteer humanitarian aid effort in
various parts of the world for 2 years. I experienced new cultures,
new people and a love for photography and documenting real
life. My photographic style was born from this experience.
Through years of college courses and life experiences, I always
held on to my passion for photography and my dreams to
capture more memorable moments for others ultimately led me
to pursue wedding photography. After all, what day tells a story
better than your wedding?
I moved to Phoenix after college and jumped into building up a
strong client base and shooting some amazing weddings.
Kim and John
James- Thank you so much for photographing our
wedding! We love ALL the pictures! Thank you so
much for being a part of our special day! People are
still talking about your awesome photos and how
you were everywhere getting pictures. You are a
part of our family now! Thank you for everything!
Heidi and Jason
James - Thank you so much for taking our pictures
for the engagement session and wedding! You did
a fantastic job and we loved working woth you!
Thank you for making it fun!
Shannon and Joel
James - What can we say, you’re a great, and a
cool cat! Thanks do smuch for flying out to shoot
our day! We are honored that you were the one
capturing our special day. Here’s to meeting you
and remaining life ling friends!
So you’re probably wondering, how did I end up moving
from Phoenix to Milwaukee? Well, my wife of course! We met
in Phoenix while she was there teaching. She was from the
Milwaukee area, we dated for 2 years and then said let’s get out
of the desert and move back to the Midwest. No brainer!
We got married and 5 years and 2 beautiful kids later, I’m proud
to call Milwaukee home.
To this day, My approach to wedding and lifestyle photography
is rooted in telling a story and documenting real life. I look
forward to creating unique, beautiful photography with you
which will act as a window back to your special moments for
years to come-- and all with a burning passion for photography,
art, and your love for one another.
Embrace the now moments forever.
My fiancé and I really want to have a nighttime wedding, but I’ve heard that will spell disaster for our pictures. What do you think we should do?
Go for it! While photographers generally prefer natural light to artificial light for the photographs, you should always do what makes you happy.
I come equipped to handle any lighting situation and have years of experience with many different venues and circumstances, including
nighttime weddings. Because you never have to worry about your images not coming out nicely, go ahead and have your dream wedding and
leave the details to me!
I know it’s best to take formal photographs before the wedding, but I guess you could say we are old-fashioned. Why do you think taking the
formals beforehand is so important?
I definitely pride myself in catering to the needs and desires of my clients. That said, I am a believer in taking the formal photographs before the
wedding, ensuring not only more time to get the best photographs but also getting the formals out of the way by the time you are ready to go to
your party. I find that stress levels with brides, grooms, family members and wedding parties is greatly reduced when the formals are taken care
of and they can focus on just having fun and being with their guests. Also, depending on the time of day, we may have better light and access
to better portrait locations before the ceremony.
We’d love to set aside some time for an engagement shoot. Is this something you do?
Yours,
James Allen
I sure do! I work with you to plan the engagement shoot of your dreams, including location selection and wardrobe recommendations.
Additionally, I can even help you design pieces for your wedding using your engagement shoot photos for sign-in boards, guest books, savethe-date
cards, thank you cards, table place settings, and much more. I offer many wonderful album options to help you remember your
engagement shoot forever. Be sure to check out page 8 of this issue for more information about scheduling your own engagement shoot for a
lifetime of special memories!
Have a question? I would love to hear from you and answer your question in a future issue of my studio magazine.
Please send your question to james@jamesallenweddings.com.
JAMES ALLEN PHOTOGRAPHY / www.jamesallenweddings.com

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
ASHLEY & TOM
I recently had the privilege of photographing Ashley & Tom’s beautiful winter wedding.
How can you be prepared for the biggest day of your life so far?
Here, Ashley & Tom share:
THE BEST ADVICE FOR A BRIDE.
My biggest advice to a soon-to-be bride would be to not stress about every little detail.
On the day of you won’t even get a chance to see half of those details, and chances
our your guests won’t notice them all either. However, I feel a bit guilty giving that
advice because I heard it a million times while planning and it just added to my stress.
So if you’re anything like me, then every time you do get stressed about the big day
remember why you’re planning it. You’re about to celebrate what is likely the biggest
commitment you’ve made to date- that’s what really matters. And trust me, it will be
the best day of your life.
THE BIGGEST SURPRISE ABOUT THEIR WEDDING DAY.
It flew by!!! In a blink of an eye the day was over. All the pictures you get will be so
treasured because they will remind you about all the little moments, the details, and
the love you were surrounded by. Take a moment to get away in a quiet corner with
your groom and just take it all in. All those people you see are there to support you
and celebrate your marriage. It’s wonderful!
THEIR FAVORITE PHOTO MOMENT.
In a lot of ways the engagement photo session was my favorite. Tom and I were
considering not even doing engagement pictures, and I’m so glad we didn’t skip that
time. Not only did we have a ton of beautiful pictures to incorporate into the wedding
day, but it was such a great reminder of what we were getting ready to celebrate!
WHAT THEY LOVED MOST ABOUT WORKING WITH YOUR
STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY.
James is so much fun! He’s personable and funny. All the smiles and all the laughs on
our wedding day were so genuine. You don’t always think about how much time you’re
going to be spending with your photographer on your wedding day when you’re
getting ready to book. I can’t tell you how much better your pictures will turn out if
you’re enjoying taking them. And it wasn’t just that Tom and I were having a blast,
the whole wedding party was laughing and enjoying themselves. We got so many
compliments about James from family and friends who got to see him do his thing.
HOW TO TAME THOSE WEDDING DAY NERVES.
For me it was going for a run the morning of by myself. Running is my stress relief and
I made sure to take that time in the morning so I could soak it all in before the day’s
festivities started. Whatever helps you on a normal day, incorporate that in. A good
mimosa sure helps too! ;)
WHICH ONE MOMENT WILL LAST FOR THEM FOREVER.
This is such a heard question! I think the first dance was such a special time for Tom
and I to have a moment alone and listen to a song that is near and dear to us. But I
could go on and on about all the moments I treasure from our wedding day. Thank
god, I have so many great pictures to relive them!
GETTING MARRIED WITHOUT
BEING HARRIED
• Be sure to have a hair and makeup trial at least
a month before your wedding. This will give you
peace of mind to know exactly how you will look
and give you the opportunity to change things
in advance if necessary. Make sure to bring all
jewelry to the trial to see how makeup shades
work with the pieces.
• Have your florist deliver your flowers to where
you are getting ready, not the ceremony venue.
Since you never know when the mood will strike
for a great photo, you’ll want your flowers there
and ready to go.
• Find out what the rules for photographs are at
the ceremony location. All venues are different,
some restricting the location of photographs and
even the times in which they are permitted.
• If possible, arrange to have your formal
photographs taken before the ceremony. Getting
this step out of the way early in the day frees up
the rest of your time to spend with your guests.
You will be able to go straight to cocktail hour
and catch up with loved ones without stress. It’s
a new age, so it’s no longer considered bad luck
for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.
• Have food delivered to your getting ready
location. It may be hectic, but take the time to
have a bite before the wedding since it will be a
while before you have the opportunity to nourish
yourself during the reception.
• Prepare an emergency bridal kit with clear nail
polish, mints, a sewing kit, stain treater, Visine,
safety pins, bobby pins, pain reliever and mini
deodorant.
• Allowing 50% more time for hair and makeup
than you originally anticipated alleviates the
number one reason wedding schedules end up
running late. This will assure you have plenty of
time for all the portraits you want to take before
the wedding.
• Make sure you discuss a “rain plan” with your
venue just in case Mother Nature doesn’t see
sunshine in the cards.
JAMES ALLEN PHOTOGRAPHY / www.jamesallenweddings.com

YOUR WEDDING
A WEDDING DAY PHOTO TIMELINE
A wedding is a whirlwind of events, gone in the blink of an eye. There’s little more important to a perfectly executed event than an organized timeline. If you
are looking to effectively plan out your wedding day with your wedding coordinator or fiance, here’s a look at a two typical wedding photo timelines from
my point of view. I am here to help assist you in planning out your day so that you don’t miss a beat.
THE NON-TRADITIONAL TIMELINE
3.5 HOURS BEFORE THE CEREMONY
I arrive at the preparation site to capture the finishing touches of hair and
makeup and to document the bride getting into her wedding dress and
the groomsmen making their final preparations.
2.5 HOURS BEFORE THE CEREMONY
I arrange for a “first Look” for the bride and groom where they see each
other before the ceremony. Immediately after this we begin formal
photographs with the entire wedding party and the bride and groom’s
immediate and extended families.
2 HOURS BEFORE THE CEREMONY
The bride and groom’s portraits begin. I work in a variety of locations and
capture a wide range of poses. About an hour before the ceremony we
stop to allow you to freshen up, collect your things, and make it to the
ceremony site on time.
30 MINUTES BEFORE THE CEREMONY
I take a last look around and find where the light is coming from to
best document the ceremony. At this time you should have a quick
refreshment and take 15 minutes of quiet time with just the two of you;
you’ll want to regroup before all the excitement begins!
30 MINUTES AFTER THE CEREMONY
I arrive at the reception site and immediately begin photographing
candid shots of arriving guests and continue into cocktail reception. If
there are any additional formal photographs desired I will take this time
to finish them in plenty of time for the reception.
45 MINUTES AFTER THE CEREMONY
I enter the dining room before the guests arrive to photograph the
cake and floral decor. I also take this time to set up lighting (if needed)
Right before the guests arrive I touch base with the catering manager or
wedding coordinator to see if there were any last minute changes to the
reception schedule.
1 HOUR AFTER THE CEREMONY
At this time I strictly document the reception candidly as it unfolds,
including the first dances, toasts, dancing, and cake cutting. But don’t
worry; I am always available for any photo request you may have
throughout the evening. Just ask!
4 HOURS AFTER THE CEREMONY
Before departure, I will check with you to make sure there aren’t any
further photos you would like or an overtime request. We may go outside
for a night “time exposure” photograph of the both of you to showcase
the beauty of your location at night.
THE TRADITIONAL TIMELINE
2 HOURS BEFORE THE CEREMONY
I arrive at the preparation site to shoot the bride getting ready. I usually
spend an hour shooting details, fun shots of the bridesmaids, candids and
the bride getting ready. I then move locations to the groom prepartion
site and spend about 30min shooting the guys. I then depart for the
Ceremony location.
30 MINUTES BEFORE THE CEREMONY
Here I shoot details of the cermony location, candids of your guests
arriving and find the where the light is coming from to best document
the ceremony.
30 MINUTES AFTER THE CEREMONY
We will shoot the family portraits for approx. 30 minutes then
go photograph the bride and grrom and wedding party for 2 hours
before the cocktail hour/reception begins. at various locations.
3 HOURS AFTER THE CEREMONY
I immediately begin photographing candid shots of arriving
guests and continue into cocktail reception. Cocktail hour ends and we
move into the foraml reception.
4-6 HOURS AFTER THE CEREMONY
At this time I strictly document the reception candidly as it
unfolds, including the first dances, toasts, dancing, and cake cutting. But
don’t worry; I am always available for any photo request you may have
throughout the evening. Just ask!
JAMES ALLEN PHOTOGRAPHY / www.jamesallenweddings.com

THE PROCESS
VENDOR SPOTLIGHT
FROM SHOOT TO ALBUM
The weeks prior to and directly following your wedding planning are busy
times. I honor your harried moments with a special timeline which will help
you to understand how we are working our hardest to avoid any unnecessary
surprises:
Two weeks before your wedding: After chatting on the phone a little bit
about the day and discussing any last minute specifications, I send you a
wedding information form to fill out all the details most important to you for
capturing the best images possible.
Two days before your wedding: I give you a quick check-in call to confirm all
the details from the schedule and your wedding form.
The day of your wedding: I arrive at the scheduled time and quickly run
through the course of the day. Then I coordinate with your family and friends
regarding scheduled start times for formal portraits and what to expect.
A week after your wedding: I collect all of your wedding images which will
then be edited, retouched, archived and prepared for your online gallery or
proofs.
Two weeks after your wedding: I’m deep into editing your awesome images!.
Four to Six weeks after your wedding: I upload all your edited images to PASS
(your personal gallery site) as well as an album planning form to help prepare
you to choose your favorites for your album.
Eight weeks after your wedding: You should return your album planning
form to us no later than eight weeks after the wedding so I can begin the
album designing process.
Ten weeks after your wedding: I email you a PDF proof for your approval
as well as to pick out your favorite components for your album in terms of
materials, pages and style. We can also use this opportunity to take orders for
portraits, wedding party member gifts, parent albums, and any of the other
unique keepsakes we offer.
Fourteen weeks after your wedding: Your album is ready for pickup!
JAMES ALLEN PHOTOGRAPHY / www.jamesallenweddings.com
James Allen
Photography
for Cora Flora.
Bouquet shot
on location
in Downtown
Milwaukee.
CORA FLORA STUDIOS
Hi, I’m Katrin Sticha, the owner and lead designer at Cora Flora Studio. We
“opened” for business in Fall 2014, so we are entering our third wedding
season. (I say “opened” because the studio is currently based out of my
home.)
I think one of the things that makes us unique is our attention to
detail when it comes to creating interesting and beautiful pieces for your
big day. From the second we pick product to when we leave the venue,
we’re looking over every stem and creation to make sure everything is just
right.
Advice to Brides
As a business owner and current bride-to-be myself, I think my advice
would be “You can’t do it all”. What I mean by that is no bride or groom
does it themselves. Gather a stellar team around you -- vendors, friends,
and family -- to bring this wedding-day dream to life.
Cora Flora Facts
I have two fun family-related facts. First: The business
was named after my grandmother, Cora Aileen. She loves
flowers, and some of my earliest memories are of walking
through her yard with her and my mom. We’d look at what
was blooming and what was just about done. Someone
would always clip some flowers as we went along, a simple
bouquet to place on the kitchen table.
Second: I work with my mom, Sandy. My first year in
business I quickly learned what wedding size I could tackle
alone -- and when I needed to bring in extra help. She’s
my go-to assistant and designs on almost every wedding
we do now. We work really well together and balance each
other nicely.
In season right now is, Greenery! Lots of flowing greenery.

FORMAL GROUP PORTRAITS
STRIKE A POSE
ALL ABOUT ALBUMS
I pride myself in capturing the most natural, candid portraiture
possible. This style showcases your day as it was, helping to bring
your personalities forward and documenting your day for a lifetime
of memories.
While I shoot the majority of my images this way, it’s also very
important to capture traditional formal portraits as well. These group
shots are best immediately when everyone is ready and fresh, right
before the ceremony; and since our most important goal is getting you
to your wedding on schedule, we allow 3-5 minutes for each desired
grouping to ensure maximum results with minimal time. (Make sure all
flowers and boutonnieres are delivered on time and affixed to family
members and to the wedding party in advance.)
Because we prefer to keep the number of groups to ten or less for
more intimate group shots, we always start with the largest group
and break it down after that to allow for mingling. As time permits, we
love to include a picture of the bride with each of her bridesmaids and
the groom with each of his groomsmen, since each person has been
invited due to close, personal ties with the couple.
If you have ideas for any ‘can’t-miss’ portrait groupings you would like
to see photographed during this time, make sure to note them on your
provided wedding information form. We’re happy to work with you to
capture all of your special moments!
A wedding album is a culmination of all the wonderful memories of the
day presented in a beautiful book that tells the story for a lifetime. Because
the wedding album process can be a little challenging for busy couples
,I provide full album services from image selection to design to cover
selection, and more. Choosing from our main album line of gorgeous
books constructed from only the best quality materials and workmanship,
I fashioned a professionally designed keepsake for decades of enjoyment.
Parent Albums
Albums aren’t just for couples anymore. Parent albums are the perfect gifts
to present to the parents of the couple after the wedding. Each parent
album can be a clone of the bride and groom’s book or custom-designed
to your liking. All cover and design options we offer for bride and groom
books are also available for parent albums.
Design Services
Never worry about design; I include full design services for each album
purchased. I will consult with you after the wedding to discuss your favorite
images and plan your special album.
Album Options
Albums come with 20, 30, and 40 pages, and are available as 10x10,12x12,
and 11x14 sizes. Parent albums are also available an 8.5 x 8.5 size. Covers
are available in gorgeous fabric covers with name and date embossing.
Cover Options
Our albums come in a variety of colors to perfectly match your wedding’s
theme. Below are a few of our most popular choices:
Olive
Coal
Black
Smoke
Merlot
Pacific Blue
Oatmeal

ENGAGEMENTS
Great engagement shoot ideas:
considering an
• At the place he proposed: After all, what better
way to capture an engagement than the place
it all started!
• At your favorite restaurant: Meaningful
memories happen with food, ambiance and
your special song playing in the background.
• Doing your favorite activity: You both enjoy
playing checkers. What better way to capture
your personality than in the heat of game
play, the agony of defeat, or the comedy of
contemplating your next move?
• Where you first met each other: Whether your
first meeting was a discussion at the library or
fumbling for the door at the local coffee shop,
going back to your beginnings is a marvelous
memory.
• Images with your pet: What better way to
capture your new family than by including a
beloved shared pet in your session?
• Your favorite skyline: Your city is beautiful at
any time of the year, and the skyline shares
where you live now, a beautiful location that
might change with time.
• A downtown urban session: Fun and
funky, pictures in alleyways or in otherwise
undiscovered locations of your area make for a
more intimate view of the city.
• An amusement park: Nothing says fun like the
Tilt-A-Whirl to go with your whirlwind romance.
• A romantic beach: In the morning, evening or
any time of day, the sea meets an endless sky for
a feeling of forever.
• Vintage-styled, with old furniture and funky
clothes: Bring out your nostalgic or avant garde
side with some dramatic, edgy modern shots
coupled with retro stylings.
• At your favorite, cute coffee shop: Quirky and
cozy, local mom and pop shops are a great way
to take a quick break to refuel and to catch some
local, architectural shots with you in the process.
• Seasonal: Catch the nuances of the seasons,
including everything from a winter wonderland,
to leaves of fall, to flowers in spring, to the lush,
green summers in nearby beautiful fields and
forests.
Engagements are so engaging. Romance is in the air and
the anticipation of a lifetime together comes to a crescendo
in the rush during the weeks leading up to your wedding,
causing you to wonder: Is an engagement shoot necessary?
After all, your wedding pictures share the beginning of your
life, right?
Shooting an engagement is important for several reasons.
First, this time allows you to get comfortable in front of the
camera with your photographer, figuring out how you work
best together before the wedding. Next, you can showcase
your personalities in a more casual setting, while creating
some fun captures for wall portraits, your wedding sign-in
book, sign-in board and Thank You cards (shot early enough,
we can also provide the images for your Save the Date cards
and invitations). Images also add another dimension to your
wedding album, chronicling the story from engagement to
your wedding day.
Best of all, you can remember this special time forever away
from the throngs of loved ones and friends. This is your time
together.
JAMES ALLEN PHOTOGRAPHY / www.jamesallenweddings.com

2017
Shoot & Share Photo Contest
I was honored to be part of the only
free and fair photo contest in the
world for the second straight year.
Over 300,000 photos submitted in over
25 categories. Thanks to all my wonderful
clients for giving me the oppotunity
to capture their wonderful
memories. Here are my results from
this year. Looking forward to capturing
more great images this year for
the contest next year!

“WORKING WITH JAMES FOR OUR WEDDING DAY AND ENGAGEMENT SESSION WAS AMAZING.
HE GOES SO FAR ABOVE AND BEYOND. BOTH WITH THE ENGAGEMENT SESSION AND WEDDING
DAY I HAD VERY SPECIFIC PICTURES I WANTED, AND HE CAPTURED EACH MOMENT I HOPED TO
GET. WE HAVE SO MANY BEAUTIFUL PICTURES FROM OUR WEDDING DAY, AND FOR THAT REASON
ALONE I WOULD RECOMMEND JAMES WITHOUT RESERVATION. BUT THE ADDED BONUS OF HAVING
JAMES AS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER IS HE IS FUN! HE WILL CAPTURE THE BEST SMILES BECAUSE YOU
WILL BE LAUGHING AND ENJOYING YOURSELF THE ENTIRE TIME. I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MANY
COMPLIMENTS WE RECEIVED FROM FAMILY AND THE BRIDAL PARTY ABOUT OUR PHOTOGRAPHER.
YOU ANTICIPATE COMPLIMENTS ON YOUR DRESS, THE WAY THE VENUE IS SET UP, THE FOOD, ETC. BUT
YOU DON’T ANTICIPATE SO MANY GUESTS TELLING YOU, “YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER WAS AWESOME!”
ONE THING YOU MIGHT NOT THINK ABOUT WHEN PICKING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER IS YOU SPEND
A LOT OF TIME WITH THEM ON YOUR WEDDING DAY. SO I CAN’T STRESS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS
TO HAVE SOMEONE YOU LIKE TO BE AROUND THERE WHEN YOU’RE GETTING READY, SAYING YOUR
VOWS, AND CAPTURING PICTURES OF YOUR DAY!.”
- Ashley Skelton
JAMES ALLEN PHOTOGRAPHY
SERVING MILWAUKEE, CHICAGO, MINNEAPOLIS PHOENIX & BEYOND
602-790-1720
WWW.JAMESALLENWEDDINGS.COM | JAMES@JAMESALLENWEDDINGSCOM
COMPLIMENTARY GUEST BOOK
When you book the 10 hour wedding package and the Premium Product
add-on collection, An $540 value
Please present this coupon at time of booking