Alli of ALN IMAGES approaches weddings with an intuitive eye and a deep respect for the moments that unfold naturally. Guided by light and emotion, she moves quietly through the day, capturing fleeting interactions and subtle shifts that might otherwise go unnoticed. With a background shaped by film and storytelling, and a life rooted in family, tradition, and connection, her work feels both cinematic and deeply personal. For Alli, weddings are more than events. They are living, breathing stories shaped by the people at their centre, filled with humour, emotion, and the kind of moments that linger long after the day has passed. Read on to learn more about how she operates.
WHAT LED YOU TO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY, AND HOW DID YOUR CAREER BEGIN?
Raised by Irish-Italian storytellers, I was born into big feelings, family legacy, humor mixed with heartbreak and a reverence for ancestry. Weddings are living folklore, unique to what your family brings to the table. A close knit family kept me busy with large events and lots of people all the time while growing up. In an effort to break away and change it up, I went to Syracuse University to study TV, radio, and film. In that groove, I decided to move to Los Angeles and did pursue a career in television. My free time naturally gravitated towards photographing people and events, even taking red eye flights back home to Philadelphia to shoot my first weddings. After 10 years of managing this distance between my Philly family and LA, it became clear that I needed them as a constant in my life. Weddings were subconsciously drawing me back to the humor, heartbreak and big feelings that truly motivated my innate skills. And so, as of 2019, I established a home base on the East Coast, created my first business newsletters out of my Aunt and Uncle’s basement office ( in whose home I lived when I first moved, in true family form to get back on my feet ) and ALN IMAGES officially began! I now experience all the feels with new clients who become friends every year.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE, AND WHAT SETS YOU APART?
When it comes to the ALN vision, it is entirely driven by intriguing light and emotion. It is candid and real. With a background in and true love for cinema and theatre, I look for peaks and valleys of light to capture the emotions of my couples. I’m drawn to a combination of wide establishing shots and closeup imagery to tell stories. The depth of light and mood that I bring to both couples’ expressions and wedding day details contribute to why my work is different. My work is cinematic, timeless and romantic in that it reveals the most authentic moments between those that I photograph.
When it comes to the
ALN vision, it is entirely driven by intriguing light and emotion. It is candid and real.
WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO CAPTURING A WEDDING? DO YOU PREFER A STRUCTURED OR MORE CANDID STYLE?
I prefer a more candid style when it comes to my approach on a wedding day. We plan, God laughs right? The more in detail we get with multiple shots to check off a list, the less we enjoy what’s right in front of us. However, it really does come down to a perfect balance of the two. I tell my couples that our photography schedule is simply a roadmap and that while we should allocate time for formal family images and prioritize flattering light it is wise to just let the day unfold as it will. In our process leading up to the wedding day, I constantly encourage less intensive shot lists so that we make magic imagery out of what happens organically.
WHAT’S ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE WEDDINGS YOU’VE EVER PHOTOGRAPHED, AND WHY?
One of my most memorable was that of Annie and Eric at the John James Audubon Center in Pennsylvania. Now, nothing extravagant or crazy happened per say, but the moments were top notch. First off, driving to the wedding, I was back in my home town after so many years away. Life was coming full circle with my business to think I had now booked a client that brought me home since living in Los Angeles and Annapolis for so long. Secondly, at the reception, Annie’s dad sang to her during his toast with his guitar. A song by Lori Mckenna – When You’re My Age. He wished he knew of this song to sing to her when she was little, but nevertheless thought of it for the wedding and it became their father-daughter dance as well. Eventually, Annie sent Lori the video, who was so touched that she met Annie’s parents in person at a later event. While we may not have had entrances on horseback or traveled to a breathtaking destination country, this wedding really resonated with my own relationships and reminded me why weddings are so special, important and unique to every single couple. It was not only a testament to how glad I was to have brought my business closer to home, but also the importance of values aligning. Some of my favorite images are the reactions to the song at the reception. You better believe it had me planning a perfect father daughter moment at my own wedding!
DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM WEDDING TO SHOOT – STYLE, LOCATION AND OVERALL VIBE?
Tuscany, with rolling hills and an earth toned villa. The colors are hues of pale yellows and green, the bride’s dress is simple but complimentary in a classic way. Her veil is the original lace worn by her grandmother. When it comes to the decor, it’s as if we’ve brought Grandma Chic to Italy. Lots of textures, potentially pattern on pattern making it cozy, family style but also luxurious. The texture of the villa’s walls brings character to every corner, so we don’t need to add a ton. It’s not a huge group, maybe 60 guests max, all seated at one long table. The toasts go on forever, but it’s what’s expected and the wine continues to be poured. This is an event that results in images full of laughter, candid moments and scenic portraits that highlight movement in a cinematic way.
WHAT INSPIRES YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY BEYOND WEDDINGS? ANY PERSONAL PROJECTS OR CREATIVE INFLUENCES?
Black and white film throughout the early 20th century really inspires me. I feel we overwhelm ourselves with tons of gear and a million other things, while really the composition and emotion are what breath life into our work. If you look back at some of the most original and intentional imagery when there wasn’t really much gear to choose from, it’s just as powerful in its own way. You gravitate towards other qualities of the images – not any complicated lighting or retouching. One of my favorite quotes is this of Henri Cartier-Bresson: “To take a photograph is to align the head, the eye and the heart. It’s a way of life.” He was a painter first, which always reminds me to think of your work as art first. Based on all of this, I’m drawn current day to black and white photographers like Kara Marie and would like more black and white portrait projects on film, as far as personal projects go. Of course, Annie L will always be an icon!
WHAT’S YOUR GEAR SETUP?
While I was a Nikon shooter for 10 years, I now have two Canon R6 mark iis, a Pentax 645 for medium format and a N6006 for 35mm film. 24-70mm + 50mm on my digitals. I plan to switch over to the Mamiya however, for sharper 120 film results. I video light most of my reception details, and try to not use more than two strobes diagonally at receptions otherwise. If not ambient for more romance!
WHEN YOU’RE NOT BEHIND THE CAMERA, HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR FREE TIME?
I’m almost always trying to get as much movement and time with family as possible. Weddings are hard, physical work and our bodies need to both recover and stay strong! For instance, every Jan/Feb during my off season I join my family in the midwest to attend the annual Westby Ski Jump in Wisconsin. Random but fabulous! There’s a connection there, I promise. And no, we are not jumpers! Otherwise, I try to consistently challenge myself by reading new opinions and philosophies and get to cycle and strength training classes. In my humble opinion, I feel it’s important to keep our brains trying hard by strategizing towards new goals and getting out of our comfort zones. Lastly, if all else fails you’ll find me deep diving into Broadway soundtracks. Theatre kid from day one!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO COUPLES WHEN CHOOSING A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?
The best advice I can give is to find a photographer with whom you feel at home. My goal on all my discovery calls is to keep couples at ease and make it clear that I’ve got their backs. A wedding day can go in so many different directions that you don’t expect; it’s best to have a friend in your photographer that’s there all day with you. Someone who can turn any ping of anxiety into a solid laugh. We all know that instant vibe when we meet a person and whether we want to meet again. If your values align, you’re going to be in great hands.
IF YOU COULD GIVE COUPLES ONE TIP FOR FEELING COMFORTABLE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA,
WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Stop thinking and looking at what everyone else does! Go with your gut, let go and trust your photographer to see the beauty that needs to be seen in the moment. Your personality is the spotlight, so as long as you are wearing something you are comfortable in, you will have authentically beautiful images.
HOW WOULD YOU SPEND YOUR IDEAL DAY OFF?
Cycle class, hot yoga, sauna. Followed by hosting brunch with fam on the deck. Ideally we’re hanging out til the sun goes down and there’s probably a competitive game of cards in there
