• Welcome!

    Welcome to the BellaFotografica blog - accept no substitutes! :)

    My name is Allen and I am a wedding photographer in Beaumont, Texas. BellaFotografica is loosely translated as "beautiful photos". On this blog you’ll find me posting about images I’ve taken, whether they’re from weddings, engagements, bridals, travel, children, sports or simply wherever I’ve taken my camera.

    Please use the above navigation to get to wherever you’re going. Thank you so much for taking the time to look at my work and please don’t hesitate to write a comment to let me know you’ve dropped by. I truly look forward to hearing from you!

Samantha and Blake are Getting Married!

Samantha and Blake will be tying the knot this coming October!:)Recently we photographed their engagement session on the beautiful Kemah Boardwalk.

We love to photograph a couple’s engagement photos in locations that mean something to them as a couple, whether it’s where they met, where they like to hang out or where the proposal took place. We went back and forth between the LSU campus, the family ranch near Port Arthur and a few other places… After searching high and low for the proper place to document their happily engaged days we settled on the Kemah Boardwalk, the place of many a hot date:)

beaumont wedding photographer

engagement photos on kemah boardwalk

With the heat index easily over 100, we spent a lot of time in the shade, peeking our heads out occasionally for some nice “walking the boardwalk” photos:)

beaumont wedding photographer

engagement photos on kemah boardwalk

Finally, we took a break and cooled off a bit in the Aquarium Restaurant, sipping beverages while Sam and Blake made small talk with the bartender and googly eyes at each other:)

martinis and ice in the aquarium bar

Our heels cooled, we headed outdoors in time to watch a few of the sailboats glide in to harbor for the day, well at least I did…

engagement photos on kemah boardwalk

beaumont wedding photographer

With the sun setting, temps dropped nearly into the 90′s and we rode a few rides like the ferris wheel and carousel for the breeze:)

beaumont wedding photographer

engaged couple riding carousel at kemah

engagement photos on kemah boardwalk

engagement photos on kemah boardwalk

engagement photos on kemah boardwalk

20 minutes in the cool zone and we were new people:)The day was hot, but we really had a lot of fun:)Stay tuned for Sam’s bridal photos and their wedding coming up quickly!

– Allen | Contact Me!

July 9, 2010 - 9:03 am

suzyqt - Positively Dreamy and Romantic. Beautiful Photos Allen.

July 9, 2010 - 5:02 pm

James - Hi Allen. These are some amazing photographs. I love the shot with the mist coming down on the couple. Really a great shot.

July 13, 2010 - 11:19 pm

Allen - Thank you Suzy :)

July 20, 2010 - 5:37 pm

holly - AMAZING

August 20, 2010 - 8:35 am

Elkin Valencia - There’s something special about your photos, you definitely capture the emotions through you lens in a Romantic, Elegant Creative way.

Best of luck! Excellent work!

Johnna and Adam’s Reception – Sneak Peak

I just wanted to post a few of our favorites from our documenting Johnna and Adam’s outdoor reception – probably one of the most beautiful receptions I’ve seen:

nederland wedding photographer

outdoor nederland backyard wedding reception tent

The large white tent, the white chairs, linen and floral decor worked together perfectly:

floral decor in outdoor nederland backyard wedding reception tent

reception details in nederland outdoor wedding reception

Their wedding cake is the most intricately detailed wedding cake I’ve ever seen too:

amazing wedding cake

A huge cake, the aroma filled their home:)The lace you see below the cake is the same lace in Johnna’s wedding dress.

amazing multi-tiered wedding cake

beautiful wedding cake

wedding gifts table bird seed

wedding reception floral decor of white roses

The hand fans you see on the tables below (made from one of their engagement photos) came in *very* handy that day, as the heat index was well over 100:)

wedding reception table floral decor

head table in nederland outdoor wedding reception with crystal and white roses

Amazing, eh?:)

We’ll have many more from their Nederland backyard wedding reception soon, up next will be the fun at the church.:)

– Allen | Contact Me!

July 7, 2010 - 2:19 am

Xanthe Roxburgh - THAT CAKE!! omg that’s amazing! Gorgeous detail images!

July 19, 2010 - 11:19 am

Allen - Thank you! :)

Johnna and Adam Get Married!

Johnna’s wedding day began bright and early on a beautiful summer day at Salon Mecca in Port Neches on Nall. It was time for nails, hair and girl-talk:

nederland wedding photographer

getting nails done the morning of the wedding

Meanwhile, Adam and his men started their day at Nederland Nails with a pedicure, of course:)From there it was on to fishing in the pond, smoking a few stogies and just relaxing while trying to stay cool on what was one of the hotter days this summer:

guys fishing and smoking cigars on the wedding day

nederland wedding photographer

Back at Salon Mecca, it was Johnna’s turn in the chair while her mom and her girls looked on:

nederland wedding photographer

nederland wedding photographer

nederland wedding photographer

nederland wedding photographer

I believe this is when Johnna and her mom lock eyes while Johnna’s bridal hair pin is being put in.

nederland wedding photographer

Awwww:)

From there we move on to the morning bridal brunch party being held nearby in Johnna’s grandmother’s home. A strong sense of family was in abundant display that day as even more friends and family showed up, whole walls were covered in framed family portraits, the tables were dressed in linen, silver and old framed photos of Johnna. The menu included iced tea with mint leaves adorning the glass, finger sandwiches and summer fruit – the perfect elegant Southern wedding day brunch.:)

nederland wedding photographer

nederland wedding photographer

nederland wedding photographer

nederland wedding photographer

nederland wedding photographer

nederland wedding photographer

:)

Up next is a few not-to-be-missed photos of Johnna’s parents’ home being made ready for the outdoor wedding reception – wow!:)

It’s Summer!

Summer is here! Spent the afternoon at Port Neches Park with David and Elise – David is an old hand with the water fountains and jumped right in. Elise was pretty new and eased her way in before becoming a fish herself.:)

Summer Fun Time in port neches

Summer Fun Time in the water

Summer Fun Time

Summer Fun Time

Summer Fun Time

:)
We’ll make some ice cream tomorrow, spend some time with family and watch the fireworks tomorrow night in downtown Beaumont – it should be a great weekend!

Next up is Johnna and Adam’s wedding and Samantha and Blake’s engagement session – both beautiful!:)

July 7, 2010 - 3:38 pm

Alice – NYC Wedding Photographers - Great photos. Looks like she loves the water.

July 19, 2010 - 11:22 am

Allen - Thank you Alice – she really took to it quickly :)

Matt and Celina | Dance! Dance! Dance!

We last left Celina and Matt as they were leaving St. Elizabeth Catholic Church on their way to the wedding reception in the IBEW Hall in Beaumont. People have begun to filter in to the hall, gorgeously decorated by Kathy Pitre – it was floral, peacock feathers, lights, silver, crystal, a little over the top and all Celina:

Beaumont Wedding Reception Photos in the IBEW Hall

Beaumont Wedding Reception Details Photos

grooms cake with university of texas logo

As Celina and Matt arrive at the reception hall, they move quickly into their first dance:

Beaumont Wedding Reception first dance

… then she and her dad:

father and bride dancing

Who apparently had been practicing!

father and bride hip hop dancing

Their choreographed dance routine was pulled off expertly, both throwing down some moves I’m sure they hurt from for a day or so:)

father and bride hip hop dancing

Too.

much.

fun!:D

Surrounded by close to a thousand friends and relatives, there were toasts, dancing, cake cutting, dancing, great Mexican food, dancing, garter and bouquet tosses and more dancing!

Beaumont Wedding Reception Photos in the IBEW Hall

Beaumont Wedding Reception Photos in the IBEW Hall

Did I mention there was dancing? I think everyone in attendance had either taken dance with Celina, were taught by her, or take the Zumba Class at Exygon Fitness taught by Lindsay:)

bridesmaids dancing

wedding rings on ice

dancing in the wedding reception

bride dancing in the wedding reception

dancing in the wedding reception

All too soon the fun wound down (is it midnight already?!?), the crowd grabbed some sparklers and Matt and Celina headed for the limo.

bride and groom leaving for honeymoon

More than a year in the making, thank you guys for the great memories! May all your troubles be little ones!:)

- Allen

July 2, 2010 - 7:52 pm

Celina - We love ya Allen. Thank you for sharing in this time with us. We will never forget it or you! The pictures are great. We couldn’t ask for more!

July 2, 2010 - 8:40 pm

Bob LoRusso - Awesome work. Did you shoot the bridal portraits next to the cake? They are really cool!

July 3, 2010 - 3:21 pm

CL Steele Studio - Awesome images! That grooms cake rocks! What a beautiful bride too.

July 4, 2010 - 9:02 pm

LJ - What a wonderful wedding album!

Great selection, fun and fresh, but touching as well.

The photographs of the Bride dancing with her father are priceless.

Wedding photography at it’s best.

LJ

July 4, 2010 - 10:39 pm

Allen - Thank you Celina, the honor was mine :)

July 9, 2010 - 12:51 am

Allen - Thank you Bob and yes, Celina’s bridal session was a fun afternoon for sure :)

Nederland Weddings | Celina and Matt – Ceremony

A beautiful wedding day turned into a gorgeous wedding evening – it’s time to get married!:)


Port Neches Wedding Photos


To be married at St Elizabeth Catholic Church in Port Neches, Celina has arrived with her entourage and begun final preparations:


St Elizabeth Catholic Church Port Neches


bride getting dressed


bridesmaids looking on and photographing


bridesmaids putting the veil on bride


Port Neches Wedding Photos


Meanwhile, Matt has arrived with his men (check the bottom of this post for a few of the great images Marius captured). Here (with a little encouragement from his brother and best man Scott) he’s on his way for a little pre-wedding rendevous with the love of his life:


groom and best man walking with shadows


bride and groom holding hands before ceremony


A nice way too “see” your bride without actually seeing her:)From there it was nearly time for the ceremony to begin – Celina’s dad was on the edge of tears most of the day as his baby girl was getting ready to leave the nest. Here’s a brief moment as Celina steps from the getting ready room and her dad sees her ready:


father of the bride watching the bride


Matt has a little time to reflect:


groom is reflecting


The moment has arrived!


bride walking with her parents up the aisle


bride kissing parents going to groom shaking hands


bride and groom wedding ceremony


placement of lasso


first kiss


bride and groom walking down the aisle


Yay!:D

On to the reception! Only after a little “how you doin?” in the limo:


bride and groom hugging in limo


:)

The beautiful reception is up next!

June 28, 2010 - 5:27 pm

suzyqt - How beautiful. I love your style. So fresh unique and personalized.

June 30, 2010 - 7:04 pm

James - Beautiful use of Black and White Photography! Bravo.

July 1, 2010 - 12:24 am

Adam Cavanagh - Gorgeous work. Some really wonderful moments.

Nederland Weddings | Celina and Matt

Wedding days are like ducks swimming – to those on the outside everything is going smoothly, little effort needed; to those on the inside, under the surface everyone is kicking furiously, many hands and feet working towards the final effortless-looking goal. It’s good when those on the inside can schedule breaks in the day, slow down a bit and enjoy it a lot more.

We began Celina’s day bright and early that Saturday morning at the Nail Cottage, where Celina and her girls were getting their manicures on. Mimosas kept the laughter easy while they buffed, filed, painted and microwaved their nails into perfection. I guess that wasn’t a microwave, more like a toaster oven, but it worked and they were pretty:)Now I’ve had a manicure or 3 in my day and the best part is the hand massage, the rest is a little painful if you ask me:)


Port Neches Wedding Photos


bride having pedicure


Celina has moved on to her pedicure and the girls are doing what comes natural while waiting their turn:


bridesmaids in nail salon


The plan this morning is to have their nails done, then walk across the street to Celeste’s Tamales for a bridal brunch – mmmm. I think bridesmaid Lindsey is a little too happy to hear what’s on the menu:


bridesmaid dancing in nail salon


bride and bridesmaids crossing street


Upon arriving, Celina was met with a little token of Matt’s love waiting:


wedding day roses

Aaawwww:)

Celina’s mom really had a nice brunch prepared – Celeste’s Tamales on Saba Lane is the place to go if you want some great food:


wedding day brunch


wedding day brunch


Meanwhile, Marius is with Matt at Major League Grill in Beaumont with his men getting his grub on and watching some of the World Cup:


wedding day lunch at major league grill


From the brunch we headed over to Kerri’s on Helena to get their hair did:


bride looking in mirror


Perfection!:)
After Celina and all 17 bridesmaids achieved follicular nirvana, we headed to the Ellis home for makeup, dressing and a few final touches:


getting ready for wedding


getting ready for wedding


bridesmaid getting ready for wedding


bridesmaids getting ready for wedding


mother watching bride getting ready for wedding


Fun day so far! We’re taking a break and will be back soon for the rest of the story.

:)

June 24, 2010 - 10:16 pm

Jessica - I wanna see more of the pictures! They are all great. You are a great photographer! I wanna see the picture of bridesmaid Amy frantically digging through her bag and the excitement after she finds it. :)

Jessica (MOH)

June 25, 2010 - 10:57 am

Allen - Thank you Jessica! :) I really had fun that day with you guys, you were a lively bunch :) More photos very soon!

June 27, 2010 - 5:27 pm

Celina - There is never a dull moment with us….I tried to warn ya Allen :) . The pictures are wonderful! You are the best.

July 1, 2010 - 12:28 am

Adam Cavanagh - Gorgeous work. Some really stuff!