The Hilton Garden Inn

On Friday we were hired by the Hilton Garden Inn to photograph their wonderful Fleur de Lis Ballroom. I can wait to get into there and photograph or video an actual wedding reception. We had a lot of fun, here are a few of my favorite shots.



I love the effect created by a fish eye lens and for this shoot I brought along our new lens to experiment with.


My favorite picture of all the ones we shot. Don't ask me why, I think it's the symmetry. This is outside of Parlor C at the Fleur de Lis Ballroom.

Notre Dame Basilica of the Sacred Heart

I had my camera sensor cleaned this weak. Digital to me is the best thing to happen to photography in the last hundred years, but if dust gets on your sensor it's a nightmare. So it came back and I decided to test it out wandering around the lakes on the campus of Notre Dame. I was walking by the Basilica of the Sacred Heart when a little inspiration struck me. I love shooting dutch angles and I have done several upward shots on video and film from the front of the Basilica, when a little inspiration hit me. Why not include the sign!

So here are my three favorite shots of the Basilica from today's wandering. Which do you like the best?

Palais Royale

One of the most elegant wedding reception banquet halls in South Bend is the Palais Royale. Originally opened in 1922, in fact my parent's had their prom there, the Palais Royale features a beautiful chandelier that will take your breath away and art deco details that you aren't going to find in modern buildings. You can't take a bad photograph in the Palais Royale!

I was digging through the archives today when I ran across this wedding photograph of the first dance in the Palais Royale. What a magnificient reception hall.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Happy Easter and god bless.

MySpace page!

I have finally broken down and created a MySpace page for Allure Films. So feel free to check it out, Allure Films, there isn't much there yet, but I'll be working on it.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! To celebrate this day here is a little clip from one of my all time favorite weddings. The bride and groom were a joy to work with. They were married in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame. But the standout moments were later that night at Knollwood Country Club, as the bride and several guest demonstrated Irish Step Dancing! Enjoy this clip of Irish dance on this Saint Patrick's Day.

Wedding Photography Special!*

Allure Films is having a special! If you are getting married between now and the end of July 2008 we have a photography deal for you!

6 Hours of wedding day coverage.
One Photographer
Image files burned to a DVD as Jpegs the next day to do with as you want!

$1100

*Restrictions apply, must be available for your date.

Grooms Survival Kit

Well I hate to admit it, especially since I'm a man myself, but this is probably a good idea. I saw this over at Michiana Weddings the Groom's Survival Kit.Over my nearly 20 years in this business I have seen my share of popped suit buttons, forgotten socks, bad breath to realize a few last minute problems could have been headed off at the pass with this kit.... The Groom's Survival Kit includes, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Dental Floss, Mints, Pain Reliever, Antacid, Facial Tissues, Deodorant, Razor, Shaving Cream, Styptic Pencil, Adhesive Bandages, Nail Clipper, Hair Comb, Interior Mirror, Lint Remover, Mending Kit, Scissors, Safety Pins, Boutonniere Pins, Stain Remover, Static Remover, Wrinkle Remover, Stress Ball Keychain, Extra Wedding Bands, Black Socks.

So brides if you want to get to the wedding vows panic free you might want to buy your groom this. Locally I'd bet you could find it at wedding coordinator Cynthia Basker's store, Girly Girl Gifts 574.287.1423.

Weddings at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Notre Dame campus

I just noticed, tomorrow is Basilica Day at the University of Notre Dame when the books are open for those wanting to have their wedding at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in 2009! For all those brides and grooms who will be rushing the phones in the morning and dialing until they get through, Allure Films wishes you the best in getting the dates and times that you desire!

And once you have your date and time, please consider Allure Films for your wedding photography and videography needs! We love working in the Basilica and are at ease working within the restrictions of the Basilica wedding day rules.

Bellow is some of my favorite pictures from the Notre Dame Grotto. Enjoy!







The next three images are the same image. We have been getting questions as to what special effects we can do to your wedding photos. Well we can do anything you like, but below is three of my favorites. Enjoy.


The traditional Black and White


Modern Antique finish. This is one of my favorite effects. It has the look of a Black and White photo but the original color still seeps through just a little bit. I actually like this better than B&W!


Black and white with a red tone.

Palais Royale

I love this photograph at the Palais Royale. I personally took this a year ago and forgot about it. Was going through some old cds when I stumbled across it.

Palais Royale

I love this photograph from the

Wedding Photography Gallery

The Swathwood wedding took place at St Thomas Church in Elkhart and the reception was at The Century Center in South Bend. They had a lovely wedding and reception culminating in fireworks off of the island at Century Center. Greg did the photography and I did the cinematography for the Swathwoods.

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Check out individual photos on the gallery page.