Vendor Spotlight – Jonathan Allen Photography

We are starting an exciting new series on our blog, highlighting local vendors in our wedding industry. We are asking each of them a few behind the scenes questions to help you get to know them a little bit better. I hope you enjoy it!

This first vendor is a bit more personal to me than most. I first heard about Jon when I was brought on as a month-of coordinator for a wedding he was already photographing. On the day of the wedding, we instantly bonded. Little did I know then, I had just met not only the person who would photograph my wedding(s) and all of my family’s important moments, but a lifelong friend. Although, I think Jon likes my husband more than me at this point! Who can blame him?

I had first hand experience watching the absolute magic Jon can create behind a camera during that very first wedding we worked together, almost four years ago. I always know Jon has an idea when he goes “let’s try something, stand over here” and starts snapping away. His witty wedding blogs are my favorite thing to read because he forms such personal bonds with all of his clients. I think it’s so important to be comfortable with your photographer, it really translates in your pictures.

I could go on and on about Jon, but I don’t want his head to get too big! In all seriousness, I’m so thankful I get to work alongside him in this industry, and can’t wait for many more weddings together. Here are a few questions to help you get to know Jon like I do. I also asked Jon to include some of his favorite shots. Enjoy!

Give us a little bit about your background/how you got into the photography business.

I have an Electronics Engineering and Respiratory Therapy degree, but I chose to leave those behind and do photography full time. I first started taking pictures back when I worked at Dairy Queen in high school. I would have a camera with me all the time and capture the day-to-day of my group of friends. In 2009, I bought my first DSLR and started teaching myself as much as I could. I wanted to create pictures that were fun and artistic, and over the years I learned different ways of accomplishing different techniques in camera. When I worked a full-time job, I tried to take on every photography gig that wanted to hire me. In 2017, I started my business full time so that I could be at home with my daughter more, and ever since then, I have never looked back.

What’s your favorite part of a wedding day?

My favorite part of the wedding day is definitely dinner, haha. Don’t hate! I love food. Those untouched charcuterie boards are no match against me. Aside from that, the reception because all the tension has finally left my couple, and they are ready to hang out and party. It allows me to capture some of the most fun candid moments because now it’s super easy for them to forget about me as I wander the dance floor the rest of the evening.

How would you describe your photography style?

Shew, this one is tough. When I look at some of my photos, I see a vibrancy in the way I use colors, life in the expressions on my subject’s faces, depth in my use of layering foreground and background elements, and dimension in the way I play with light and shadow. I don’t want my photography to seem like work so I strive to make it all as fun as possible, and I want to stand out amongst the sea of other photographers so I use whatever I can to differentiate myself from the next person.

Tell us a unique fact about yourself.

I love archery and beer. In my house, I have 5 longbows and 2 recurves, and I could spend an entire day outdoors shooting if I had it my way. As for beer, how much do I love it? I love it enough to make my own. I’ll brew anywhere from one to three 5-gallon batches a month which range in styles from Sours, IPAs, and Stouts. I don’t drink all of that myself though. I share my creations with my family and friends so they can experience the good brews and the bad along with me.