john arcara photography punk rock couture wedding photojournalism located in new jersey

NEW BLOG!!! NEW BLOG!!!!

2010-07-18T10:35:00.002-04:00

So we have created a shiny new blog for you... Bigger images, better slideshows & all kinds of new info! This one will stay right where it is as the info and Images here are still very important to us & we still LOVE them so... However to see all of our newest posts, click below!!!

Go to our NEW BLOG by clicking here!

|| Kelly + Pat || @ The Molly Pitcher

2010-06-12T11:48:00.003-04:00

Its always great to photograph a bride & groom with personality, & Kelly + Pat are just that! We actually played paintball with them about 4 years ago & boy was it nice to shoot @ them & not have anything splatter on them! HAHA ! Always great to see some of our best friends, Lauren & G.E. as well. Check out G.E.'s cameo dancing @ the end of the slideshow! The Molly Pitcher was of course as amazing as ever & Christian fits in perfectly there. P.S., I would like to send props out to Karly Pratt, one of our awesome :A: List brides who sent us this song by Ellem... LOVE IT!
Ciao,
off to the Channel Club today!

|| Jessica + Tim || @ The Oyster Point Hotel

2010-06-09T18:00:00.003-04:00

We just LOVE a beautiful bride & a beautiful sunny day! Especially when it is in our own downtown Red Bank, NJ.

|| Lori + Shaun || @ The Oyster Point, Red Bank, NJ

2010-05-29T22:13:00.001-04:00

Another awesome FotoFusion here, this time in our own beautiful hometown of Red Bank, NJ with Lori + Shaun! Great to hang with our friends @ the Oyster Point Hotel again as well!

|| Laurie + Jon || @ Ridgewood Womens Club!

2010-05-21T15:13:00.003-04:00

Well I don't know if you are keeping up with the FaceBook page, but, we are slammed! We don't even have time to blog. Well moving forward we are trying to squeeze it all in. Check out the wedding here of Laurie + Jon. What a amazing couple. Great fun, great sense of humor & just an awesome day all around!

|| Christen +_ Jeff || @ The Palace, Somerset

2010-05-04T14:16:00.004-04:00

Holy Poo are we ever behind on blogging! With wedding season is full swing, as you can imagine, each day we are slammed with tasks dedicated to completing image sets & book designs for our wonderful clients. Blogging has taken a back seat, but , if you wanna check out what we are up to you can always check out our facebook page. Go ahead, click it, like it! you know you want to! HAHA
john arcara photography | Promote Your Page Too

Well anyway what an awesome day we had with Christen + Jeff. It was sure a rockstar day with none other than, THE Jenny Orsini & Melissa from PAMPERED BRIDE WEDDINGS coordinating & making sure each & every detail went off without a hitch. Our bride looked so very beautiful with the amazing JEANINE MANGAN on make up. We even had N.J. PHOTOBOOTHS the & even Josh Lynn made a cameo appearance. Well we had a great time & our own Josh Blaine behind the lens on the :FotoFusion: Video! THE PALACE in Somerset, NJ was as elegant as ever & the staff, flawless.

:A: List {wedding style} getting the groom's groove on...

2010-03-29T15:51:00.006-04:00

getting the groom's groove on...
No , we're not talking about how to get him to dance, we're talking about how to get him to relax & look natural in front of scores of wedding guests & the giant, all seeing camera's lens. The day of your wedding is an adrenaline filled rush of primping, vowing kissing & greeting. In the middle of all that craziness is a couple who have to look natural & hold it together like a general on a battlefield. Relaxing is NOT an option, however, looking relaxed is very important to the morale of your guests as well as the images your fabulous photographer will capture forever to be enjoyed in the wedding book on your coffee table & hanging framed like a priceless Renoir. The bride has planned each and every detail, no matter how minute, of this day & she knows exactly how it is supposed to pan out. The groom, however, usually just knows where to go when to be there. So lets see what will make him chill & be as cool as Boba Fett when things are getting hectic.
First of all remember that this is a radical day, getting nervous is totally normal & needed a little to keep alert & ready for a long day of entertaining.
play some tunes, have your ipod loaded with a mix of your favs to be played while your getting ready.
Have fun. Ya know, all your guys are just as nervous as you are even though they may act like they are not. Joke with them have fun with them, hell man, make fun of them... do you guys get dressed with each other every day?!?! NO this is the perfect time for inappropriate jokes! HAHA
Have a drink... After your dressed in your wedding best, gather your crew & make a toast makes a good picture & is fun & real.
enjoy the ride, chill & pimp out in the giant stretch Hummer with the Jacuzzi, pumping sound system & street glow. Get pumped man these people are here for you, & they all love you very much!
Breathe. The first sight of your beautiful bride could be the most exhilarating part of the most exhilarating day of your life so far. Take a breathe & enjoy the view.
Picture time! ah crap fun's over right? hell no, not with the right photographer. choose someone who will make you feel comfortable, & make you laugh. No need to be stiff or really even look at the huge piece of glass aiming at your face. Be natural, talk to your wife. Make her laugh, humor is key. She is nervous too. Help her to relax in front of the camera & you will be relaxed as well. Kiss her, look at her. Use your experience in the pits at work to look relaxed even when the heat is on. Use the force. A Jedi is the master of his environment & knows no fear.
What would Fonzi do? Be cool. Dude just know you look totally cool & your bride looks hot! You two are the awesomest couple there. Your totally at the cool kids table & everyone wants to sit with you...

Hell man wear a Viking helmet if it makes you feel good!

You don't wanna run into these dudes in a dark alley...

yup! Chuck Taylors... You can even go to http://shop.vans.com/catalog/Vans/en_US/category/custom-shoes.html to make your own custom kix! How cool would that be ANY COLOR! I got them in triple black & gray & I wear'em to weddings!
Make her Laugh... you know how to do that the best!
Tan suits! Not everything is totally black & white!
Getting the groove on!

yeah man your own boy band! HAHA
you can even do Kung Fu! And check these guys out! No ties!

|| March 20, The Red Bank Wedding Walk ||

2010-03-19T09:33:00.004-04:00

Our First Annual Red Bank Wedding Walk
The Red Bank RiverCenter is proud to introduce the First Annual Red Bank Wedding Walk. The Wedding Walk is a one-day event that will introduce prospective brides, grooms, wedding attendants and their families to Red Bank as a one-stop shopping destination for weddings.

There are approximately 30 premier businesses and sponsors participating in categories such as: Floral Design, Formalwear, Hotel/Banquet Halls, Invitations/Printing, Jewelers, Photographers, Restaurants, Salons/Spas, Shoes/Accessories. Transportation and other select Wedding related businesses, such as: Lingerie, Wine Purveyors and custom Framers.

Brides, grooms, friends and family will register at The Molly Pitcher at 9:00 am for check-in and registration. All registrants will receive a Wedding Walk Map and Tote Bag. Participants will be directed to enjoy the transportation of choice, shuttle service (or walk, weather permitting) to convenient central locations so they may visit as many registered businesses and then be entered to win a Grand Prize Raffle as well as other valuable prizes donated by the participants and sponsors.

Learn more about the prize packages.
Prize drawings will take place at the Oyster Point Hotel. All entry forms must be in by 3:00 pm and must be present to win. There will be music, fun, food and lots of surprises!

For additional information please contact Margaret at Red Bank RiverCenter at 732-842-4244 or Rainey Alwell at The Oyster Point Hotel at 732-530-8200 x155.

|| what is it they say about imitation ||

2010-03-15T18:09:00.006-04:00

It is flattering... Thanks Al
We found this image floating around in "Manhattan Bride" Magazine! It was very nice of Al to try our shot... Looks good dude!
By the way, about imitation, this is pretty much the reason why we are very selective about the continuing education we do. We very rarely go to seminars or classes by other wedding photographers for exactly this reason. We really don't want you to come to us just to see another wedding photographer. What's new in weddings now, was new in fashion years ago. We work hard to be unique & push the "Punk Rock Couture" envelope as far as it can go. When we continue our education we choose courses & studies in Fashion & commercial photography... This way you get the true emotion & vision of a luxury boutique photography studio.

|| wedding wire reviews ||

2010-02-24T08:35:00.004-05:00

Hey guys!
Bored?
If so can you say things about us on Wedding Wire. Some couples have recently said the info on there is helpful, & we always like to help our friends!

Review John Arcara Photography at WeddingWire

|| marin + victor || @ The Venetian

2010-02-15T18:03:00.002-05:00

Well this was fast... We just LOVE new media & our :: FotoFusion :: is the newest & chicest way to capture an awesome day! Check out Marin + Vic's amazing day! Sexy little Bride with Sexy Little Shoes! Handsome groom with... scotch! HAHA! We shot all the motion picture elements of this :: FotoFusion :: with the Canon 5Dmk2. A camera that our own Josh Blaine has had since it was released last year. We were one of the first to put it to use as stills + motion mixed media capture, and we think the outcome is so very hip! Check out the killer music @ the end of the film, as some of you know I have an affinity for world music & Marin + Vic did NOT disappoint. They actually had an Arabic band as well as the one & only Rhythm Shop rocking the night. I loved that I already knew all the songs that the Arabic band was playing! Hey guys mabrouk on your perfect wedding, Shokran for a fantastic day & Bettawfeeq... Are those right? haha

The Greatest man I'll ever know.

2010-02-12T09:46:00.001-05:00

My Father, My confirmation Godfather, my Best Man at My wedding, my savior, my teacher my inspiration, my influence, my confidant, my best friend.
JOHN M. ARCARA, 58, of North Middletown, MIDDLETOWN, died Monday, Feb. 11, at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. He was the owner/operator of Cisco's Disco for 28 years and Arcara Art photography for over 40 years. He was also an advertising salesman for the Advisor, Middletown, for 10 years. He was a graduate of Middletown High School in the Class of 1967. He was a member of the American Disc Jockey Association. He was a veteran of the Army National Guard, serving for six years. He was born in Jersey City and lived in Belford, Middletown, and in North Middletown most of his life.

He was predeceased by his parents, John J. and Anna Arcara. Surviving are his wife of 38 years, Denise Thompson Arcara; a son and daughter-in-law, John M. Jr. and Lovina Arcara of Tinton Falls; a daughter, Natalie Arcara of Frederick, Md.; a brother, Russell Arcara of Woodbridge; a sister and brother-in-law, Vincinette and Ralph Tucker of Hazlet; and a granddaughter, Molly Mackenzie Arcara.

|| dawn + paul || @ the meadow wood manor

2010-02-02T13:22:00.003-05:00

Well if Paul looks familiar to you thats because he is famous... just look at the 1st image that pops up on our website & there he is! In living color... in a wedding gown.. Well we couldn't get him to wear it this day & really it wouldn't have mattered as no one would have noticed anything else except for Dawn's radiant beauty! & WOW can I just say Birdcage Veils! We just had to make a huuuuge canvas of her for our studio! Well Besides a groom Paul is also a great friend of ours & his best man G.E. is one of our very best friends! What a great wedding. You will see towards the end that Paul picks up a guitar... "the voice of an angel" yup thats him singing on the slideshow & his ban "Ready Made Break-up" are totally amazing. Check them out & tell me what you think of their picxs as well! HAHA!

|| Fuzz The World ||

2010-01-31T13:20:00.003-05:00

our last rehearsal before our show on February 5th @ the Saint in Asbury Park, NJ Streaming @7:30pm ish!

|| tammy + dan || @ the stone house at stirling ridge

2010-01-21T15:59:00.003-05:00

Always an amazing day @ the stone house at stirling ridge. It doesn't matter the season the space, Carissa & her staff just rock. Lovina & I were blessed with a gorgeous couple on a perfect winter day. Tammy had everything, awesome shoes stunning gown, dripping with diamonds & of course her handsome groom, Dan. We even had Josh Lynn & the NJ Photobooths keeping the fun going all night!
Great stuff in this slideshow we even made some huge canvases for our studio!

|| Wedding Wire "Bride's Choice Awards 2010" ||

2010-01-20T11:04:00.001-05:00

We are excited to announce that John Arcara Photography has been chosen to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2010. This award recognizes the top 5 percent of local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service and professionalism.

The Bride’s Choice Awards™ are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds (brides and grooms) through extensive surveys and reviews, which means your past clients have spoken on our behalf and selected you to receive this honor.

|| Suzanne + Eric || Deal Country Club

2010-01-12T11:00:00.000-05:00

Suzanne + Eric had such a fun & radical day... You couldn't even tell it was winter, save for the beautiful white fur stole she was wearing. I love that! What a great time shooting at our most popular church, St James in beautiful downtown Red Bank! Asbury Park for the sunsetting & more PUNK ROCK COUTURE WEDDING PHOTOJOURNALISM! The Night shots on the boardwalk we intense. We do also dig the Deal Country Club, the renovations look great! Hey guys thank you so much for a great time & beautiful images!
As usual more on our facebook!

"a list" {wedding s t y l e } || D.Js with cameras... err?? ||

2010-01-11T12:00:00.000-05:00

What it means to be "the only professional photographer" at an event

I just wanted to bring your attention to a small part of a photographer's contract that sometimes is misunderstood, and when "ignored" it can actually lead to a very uncomfortable situation.

Most photographers' contract state that the person you hired is to be the only professional photographer at the wedding and I wanted to explain exactly what that means.

I had a situation at a wedding - another wedding vendor (a DJ) was using professional photography equipment and taking photos, getting in my way quite a bit and causing me to miss some important shots. Also, he acted in an unprofessional way and some of the guests thought that he was a member of my staff, which reflected badly on me. I have heard of this happening to more and more photographers so I thought it is a good time to "make it public" so to speak.

The wedding day, of course, is not the time or place to enforce my contract or bother the bride and groom or make any kind of an unpleasant situation for anyone. The best way to deal with this would be to adress this with everyone before your weddings, so that it can be prevented altogether.

Of course photographers don't mind if your guests and family members are taking photos!

However, absolutely NO other wedding vendor (DJ, Videographer, Florist, Planner, Caterer, anyone else hired) is permitted to take photos during the wedding.

Please remind your other vendors about this if you have any doubts that they may be inclined to take professional photos at the wedding. If any other vendor wants photos for their site, blog, slideshow, CD cover - etc - I will be more than happy to provide them with photos at no charge as a professional courtesy!

After speaking with a few other photographers some have said:

A florist works wth flowers, the hall is a great place and the caterer makes great food, the photographer takes the photos and DJ/Band plays the music. Why would you want a photog playing music or a DJ taking photos or the officiant making the bouquets? Just does not make sense.

Also, by including photography/video with a DJ or band, you lower your budget for a better trained photographer. Let the DJ do what he does best and get a better photographer with the money that you would have spent with the DJ.

The problem also arises, that guests that we are trying photograph both candidly & with their attention, have sometimes been bombarded by 2 or 3 photographers shooting them & are getting a little agitated with the paparazzi all around. Sometimes I am regrettably the last photographer to get to them & they are just totally smiled out. The whole problem is that by the time the primary photographer gets over to a guest, they may have just gotten their photo taken, and want us to get out of their face!

Good stuff. Very true. Everyone should do what they were hired to do!

|| Ravi Shankar on the Dick Cavett Show ||

2010-01-10T14:59:00.003-05:00

Many of you may know that I have an affinity for music as well as photography. My tastes are very eclectic to say the least. On my playlist you will find everything from Jazz to Punk to French Gangsta Rap & Death Metal. I mean I just LOVE all music. My favorite music is probably World Lounge. I just love anything Indian, Arabic, Afghan, Israeli, Lebanese, Irish whatever. This video is from when George Harrison was a guest on the Dick Cavett Show. Ravi Shankar, who is a world renowned sitar player was the musical guest. Listen to the subtlety of the notes in this music. The beats of the Tabla, the hum of the tones is hypnotizing and erotic. I think its awesome & hope you do too.

Here he is at 90 years old with his daughter, Anoushka.

|| dani + adam || @ the molly pitcher, red bank

2010-01-08T21:24:00.004-05:00

Another fantastic day @ the MOLLY PITCHER, although, it sure was blustery! Dani + adam had a fun filled wedding day in red bank. Dani looked great, check out her eyes, her eyes have it.

The talented MIKE SIMONS on video!

I LOVE using parts of the Molly that only John Arcara Photography is allowed to use!

|| ashley + eric || tappan hill mansion, tarrytown ny

2010-01-08T20:48:00.003-05:00

What a great time of year to be around sleepy hollow ny. I'll tell ya, we almost saw the headless horseman riding in. Ashley made a beautiful bride & with the handsome Eric at her side that day could not be better. Thank you soooo much for having us guys we had a great day!

More on our facebook page

"a list" {wedding s t y l e } || BirdCage Veils! ||

2010-01-03T11:23:00.001-05:00

BirdCage Veils!!! BirdCage Veils!!! BirdCage Veils!!! Blah Blah Blah!!! BirdCage Veils!!! BirdCage Veils!!! BirdCage Veils!!!

|| shawn + nick || @ the Molly Pitcher, red Bank, NJ

2009-12-30T15:53:00.004-05:00

Can you say glamourous?!?! Well thats what comes to mind when we think of Shawn + Nick's beautiful wedding @ the always amazing Molly Pitcher in Red Bank. I was blessed with THE most glamourous photographer in the world to be with on this one, my wife Lovina & what a day we had. St Kimisis in Holmdel was great of course, we just LOVE greek weddings! Bring on the Ouzo huh Lovina!? Shawn & Nick looked so damn beautiful, we had to make a giant size bigger than life wall canvas of our favorite image from their wedding... Of course Lovina shot it! Well Lovina you said you wanted to hear No Doubt so I did this slideshow to a song for you... Love you honey & thanks Shawn & Nick for a "S'wonderful" day!

|| jen + jeff || FotoFusion @ the Pleasantdale Chateau

2009-12-15T17:04:00.002-05:00

Check out another Pleasantdale Chateau wedding! This time a full length :A: List FotoFusion! Tell us what you think. This is a great little add on to your imaging for the day... Low cost, high WOW factor... Very hip!

|| stephanie + marc || @ the pleasantdale chateau

2009-12-09T21:08:00.006-05:00

oh another awesome day, another awesome wedding! I'll tell ya, we get THE :A: list beautiful couples @ John Arcara Photography! Stephanie + Marc are a totally chic couple who's ceremony was right here in beautiful downtown Red Bank @ St James Church, on Broad St. check out the amazing classic thunderbird they drove up to THE PLEASANTDALE CHATEAU. So very... Always a pleasure to work with Laura, Santiago, and just the whole family at The Pleasantdale. Watch for my cameo towards the end of the slideshow & check out the slideshow debut of our now famous 100 year old antique chair. I actually carry it in the back of our car just in case we need to hang out on a railroad track, asphalt plant, or as you will see here, a back country road.

|| kathy + dan || @ the berkley plaza

2009-12-09T18:50:00.003-05:00

WOW ! So sorry about how behind we are @ our blog. Well check out kathy + dan @ the berkley plaza! Lots more on our facebook pages!

Lovina gets credit for this shot, she did it last ear & told me to look for pumpkins for this.

See, just awesome colored shoes! with a matching umbrella!

Kathy & Dan are alot smaller than I remember them... P.S. check out Barbie's shoes... Kathy's Mom found this in the attic with these shoes on. She has been planning for a long time!

Nice breeze

I Loved the little red barn in the background

These rings were swinging away as I photographed them.. I can't believe its in focus. then again its a Nikon D3!!

I Love a couple that will hit the tracks & NOT look for a flowery park!

NIIIIICE boots!!! So PUNK ROCK COUTURE!

So we started to carry this awesome 100 year old chair around with us

It was my dad's chair in our studio when I was growing up & we keep it in the car for just such an occasion.

the ONLY way I'll use a gazebo!

The Swell Season featuring Jason Segel - Nov 18, 2009

2009-12-03T11:32:00.001-05:00

this is so funny!

"a list" {wedding s t y l e } || Shoes ||

2009-11-24T09:29:00.002-05:00

So Shoes! WOW! Well everyone knows its the little details that will make your perfect day memorable, & shoes are noooo different. Don't underestimate the power of the pump! We LOVE shoes, even more, we love creative shoes. No reason to stay boring under that amazing gown. A flirty splash of color will do wonders... Just imagine strutting down the aisle, like a super model on the runway, in a pair of glossy red peeky toe pumps! Ha that little soupçon of color is so stunning as it sneaks a peek from under the couture gown. Expensive? Listen we adore a pair of Christians just as much as anyone but you don't need need to spend a million to look like a million. Most times, its all about the color and style. You can match your bridesmaids gown colors, the season, your wedding theme, or your personality. You can even have a pair for the day to walk down the aisle, AND a pair for the reception to look even more haute! Plus it gives us more details to play with and opens up some awesome creativity for things like images of rings, jewelry, and of course sexy, flirty PUNK ROCK COUTURE WEDDING PHOTOJOURNALISM!

|| heather + chris || A list asbury park :E: session

2009-11-23T13:37:00.002-05:00

Can I say WOW!

I just had to post this! Heather & Chris are a blast, and GORGEOUS! Can't wait until the wedding...

THE KNOT'S 2009 INDUSTRY NETWORKING EVENT

2009-11-18T15:01:00.002-05:00

We were blessed with the opportunity to photograph THE KNOT'S 2009 INDUSTRY NETWORKING EVENT. Kathi from ALL THE BEST CELEBRATIONS & EVENTS put on the whole shebang & we just had a blast shooting it. Check it all out on THE KNOT & don't forget to pick up the new issue on newsstands in January!

|| jessica + mike || @ eagle oaks country club

2009-11-15T12:08:00.003-05:00

Another beautiful day that I got to shoot a fabulous wedding with my perfect wife, Lovina! We feel like part of Jessica's family, since we had already shot her sister's wedding a few years ago AND my Dad shot her parents wedding! We always feel the most blessed when we can walk in his footsteps this closely, and be able to photograph the daughters of my Dad's friends & past brides & grooms. WOW! Just sooo humbled. And hi WOW, Jessica, can you say beautiful... Her whole family is just so damn handsome, its like they were cast for this part. What about Mike you ask, well yes where there is a pretty bride, there is a handsome groom. The ceremony @ one of our favorites churches, St Catherine's in Spring Lake, & we even treaded over to another one of our fav "A" list signature locations @ the asphalt factory... I wanna buy it so I can keep it looking the way it does now. I hope they never make it too pretty but I guess an asphalt plant is not meant to be pretty. EAGLE OAKS, perfect. Ed & his staff, flawless! Thanks for an amazing day everyone!

|| katie + nick || @ eagle oaks country club

2009-11-11T11:07:00.006-05:00

This is a great wedding... Fun people, great weather, alot of liquor, & even an "A" list John Arcara Photography signature location for some real PUNK ROCK COUTURE WEDDING PHOTOJOURNALISM! We got some great action @ the asphalt factory! Check out the awesome lighting over @ EAGLE OAKS. If your a follower of this blog you'll know that we just did out very first
"a list" {wedding s t y l e } on || uplighting || actually used some images from Eagle Oaks. Ed and his impeccable staff as always were amazing...

|| jessica + pete || oyster point hotel

2009-11-10T16:16:00.003-05:00

Well here is a great example of an "A" list wedding. MIKE SIMONS on video, DADDY POP rocking the night, and of course PUNK ROCK COUTURE WEDDING PHOTOJOURNALISM. All brought together by the updated, upgraded, new and improved luxury chic boutique, finally out of her shell, OYSTER POINT HOTEL in beautiful downtown hip city, Red Bank, NJ on the banks of the Mighty Navesink! Jessica Looked so very stunning and we just adore her creativity with her choice of footwear! And Pete, what a cute boy he is. HAHA! Rowdy fun, Radical Crew! Check out their first dance to a little 2 piece band in Asbury Park on the boardwalk, and check out 2, thats right 2 cameos of Mike Simons, one of them breaking countless motor vehicle laws!!!

|| Another amazing reason we do this ||

2009-11-09T11:59:00.003-05:00

Ashley + Eric, thank you guys sooooo much! you are awesome!!!

"Hi John! Now that the dust has settled, and I am over the fact that I am not still in Hawaii :), Eric and I wanted to thank you for being one of the highlights of our wedding day! So many people raved about how incredible you were, and two of my engaged guests said they wanted to fire their photographers and hire you instead!! I personally have to thank you for your professionalism and setting a great tone for the day - as a typically calm person, I was trying to hide some nerves in front of the 15 people watching me get dressed, when you walked in and immediately helped me to relax and realize this was going to be fun! And we all had a blast! Not to mention what a treat it was to see some of the shots on a slideshow at the wedding - awesome! I have no doubt that the rest will be just as incredible! Thanks again, and enjoy some well-deserved days off! Talk to you soon, Ashley Morganti and Eric Romaglino p.s. - I am sorry I can't post this on your facebook page or twitter - I think I need to get with the times and join!! Feel free to copy it there so people can see it though!"

|| anisha + prince || an "A" list big phat Indian wedding!

2009-11-07T14:36:00.003-05:00

I can't believe how behind we are in blogging! We are slowly catching up & thought we would share this amazing wedding. Anisha & Prince are a beautiful couple and had just an amazing wedding in North Jersey. We only put a slideshow up of one of the FOUR days of partying!!! WOW! Crazy man! Hey guys shukriya sooo much for having us, we had so much fun and as you can tell your images turned out to be some of our very favorites EVER! Bhadhai ho!!!

|| Published || on the FILIPPA SCOTT Blog!

2009-11-06T09:19:00.002-05:00

WOW! So as some of you know, we @ Arcara Photography have a little obsession with shoes. So when Lissa emailed us a link To THE Filippa Scott blog and said we were featured there, we were totally psyched & humbled. Check it all out here! FILIPPA SCOTT

john|arcara p h o t o g r a p h y @ Graphi Studio

2009-10-27T10:04:00.006-04:00

Photo Plus Expo @ Javitz NYC

Last week we were blessed with the opportunity of a speaking engagement with out fantastic album company out of Italy GRAPHI STUDIO. We presented at the biggest photographic trade show " PDN'S PHOTO PLUS EXPO" to 4 full audiences. We mostly spoke about and demonstrated their new software called LEONARDO, however we were able to also teach about workflow, marketing, & technique to other photographers from all walks of life, to better their own business, the way we have ours. What an amazing opportunity and an awesomely humbling experience, to be able to speak in front of other professionals in our field. Thank you so much to all of you who attended & I hope to see you all again soon. Thank you to everyone @ Graphi for this wonderful experience, you chicks rock, oh you rock too Dan!

Thank you soooo much to http://www.ahmetze.com/ for shooting these images... Sorry if my face broke your lens!

Here's Lisa bringing it to the next level!

Michele probably explaining Lisa's energy! HAHA

We are so humbled that they made HUUUUGE guestbooks of our designs!

More of our work on display @ the trade shoe booth

Here's Dan bringing it home under the Graphi banner!

Amazingly talented Bob & Dawn Davis with your truly... I have No idea why they would agree to be in a photo with me!

"a list" {wedding s t y l e } || uplighting ||

2009-10-13T10:05:00.010-04:00

So we are going to be posting from time to time our " a list {wedding s t y l e }" articles about cool things we see @ our weddings. Since our brides & grooms are the coolest in the world , we thought we would show you some fun and chic details that can make your wedding even more hip.
Our first, is on UPLIGHTING...

Lighting for me is kind of a big thing. I mean ya know, I AM a photographist... So when I enter a room that has cool uplighting, it really gets exciting. Uplighting kind of paints the background of any space and gives it a dynamic edge over what is normal there. It gives us depth and adds another stylized dimension to your images later. Uplighting sets the mood up perfectly for a dramatic scene filled with romance, dancing, and adds another dimension of color to your day. You can use lighting to bring out the colors of your wedding, your bridesmaids dresses, your flowers and the aspects of the room to help create a truly unique and exceptional wedding aura. The secret lies in the type of lighting, where to place the lighting, and using it to enhance and boost the already beautiful aspects of your wedding.

Both images are of THE OYSTER POINT lighting & design by FLOWERFUL EVENTS
makes the cake look awesome!

these colors @ the Venetian just scream!

Eagle Oaks

The Molly Pitcher

It makes a great separation of the subject and background
the photographer was hot!

|| yazmin + jeremiah || @ branches

2009-09-25T14:01:00.004-04:00

Yazmin + Jeremiah had a beautiful day for their wedding @ the fabulous BRANCHES
in long branch. Beautiful bride, awesome groom. Chris from D.J. YOUR WAY, who's wedding we shot a few years ago did an amazing job keeping the dance floor packed all night...

|| megan + chris || @ the pier house, long branch

2009-09-25T10:18:00.003-04:00

What a great day for a beach wedding... Megan and Chris looked fab and the Pier house was amazing as usual! More on our facebook page!

I always love glass bricks.

|| elizabeth + conal || the stone house @ stirling ridge

2009-09-24T15:41:00.001-04:00

Can you tell we went to see U2 last night? ha watch the slideshow and you'll see. Awesome wedding @THE STONE HOUSE!
Rebecca and her amazing staff are always so accommodating and the food, oh my gosh the frikkin' food @ this place is fantastic. Shot this one with Josh Lynn as our second shooter, and what a blast we had. beautiful bride, handsome groom. We actually made a littel sample outta this wedding! check it all out here!

To order this slideshow in book or DVD form, please click the icon below.

|| charles + addie || sunrise surprise proposal

2009-09-06T11:13:00.003-04:00

We were blessed this morning, 6:30 am this morning to be exact, with shooting a romantic sunrise surprise proposal! Long Branch, NJ was a beautiful backdrop for a fun couple. Charles came to us 3 weeks ago all the way from the Island of Staten to make plans to get this all on film. It was sooo amazing. I ninja'd out under the boardwalk until the fireworks subsided enough and addie never knew i was there. When she did see me she asked charles who the creepy guy with the camera was , to which he answered, our photographer of course. Wow! great job charles, hopefully you can influence the masses of would be grooms and start a trend!

|| lissa + ryan | @ the mill @ spring lake

2009-09-04T11:40:00.003-04:00

Lissa + ryan had a fantastic day. monmouth university is always awesome and the mill perfect as ever. WOW can you say filippa scott shoes! yummie!

|| kathleen + stephen || @ eagle oaks

2009-08-27T17:27:00.005-04:00

So a new exercise in futility, is trying to write a blog while a 3 year old is asking a million questions and an 8 month old is screaming @ the top of her lungs! I can however do my best to tell you what an amazing wedding Kathleen + Stephen had. Her gown, Jim Hjelm from MUSTILLO'S TOWN & COUNTRY
in Red Bank, is exquisite. Ken from NARCISSUS!
created an amazing array of flowers. and both the bouquets and centerpieces were perfect. On video, Our own Rico Suave RICH HALL
is always so great to work with and we all had a blast. Ed and the awesome staff @ EAGLE OAKS COUNTRY CLUB
are always @ the top of their game. I'll tell you, they can totally handle anything that is thrown @ them.

To order this slideshow in book or DVD form, please click the icon below.

|| The Secrets Out ||

2009-08-25T23:28:00.005-04:00

Well it feels like things are always moving here @ john arcara photography. Because our current building is under new ownership we have had to relocate elsewhere....but, as they say, everything happens for a reason. This gave us an opportunity to realize our growth and potential.
We have had so many great times and positive things happen to us here and we really don't want to see it go, but who are we to stand in the way of progress..haha. So we acquired a new beautiful space, with rustic partially exposed original brick walls, and a stunning brand new hardwood floor, as well as a little room for Molly & Lilly to hang out and play while Lovina & I try to get work done! The best part is its just down the block @ 60 Broad street ste.104, right by Restoration Hardware! We are very excited for all of you to see it, but are also very nervous, as we are creatures of habit, and don't embrace change without a bit of fear. We pray that this shiny new gallery and studio space will serve you and us even better for years to come. We will be spending alot of time there whipping it all into shape so please feel free to visit us if you're in town.
We are planning a move with in the next week, so please bare with us if we're a bit delayed in responding.
Thanks and here are some images. Tell us what you think!

our first portrait. perfect natural light

our second portrait...perfect... well ok nothing perfect here

|| just a tease ||

2009-08-17T12:23:00.000-04:00

sometimes I'm speechless

|| courtney + mike || @ the shadowbrook

2009-08-13T12:35:00.005-04:00

Every time we do a wedding with Kathi Evans from ALL THE BEST CELEBRATIONS, it turns out to be one of our most fun and fabulous, as well as smooth running. Courtney + Mike are an awesome couple. So relaxed and lots of fun. All that on a day that was filled with a chance of rain and a load of Jersey Shore traffic. Luckily we had her brother to navigate us through the back streets of Oceanport, Long Branch and Oakhurst. I thought he was taking us to a back alley to kill us and hide the bodies. HAHA! Well it all went off perfectly and Courtney Looked just stunning in her LAZARO gown from MUSTILLO'S TOWN & COUNTRY , our very favorite bridal salon, right across the street from us in beautiful downtown Red Bank. Kate Spade shoes??? LOVE THEM!!! BRIAN KIRK of course rocked the night as usual. Check out the table full custom giant candy apples. Thanks so much guys, Molly would have LOVED it if she was awake to enjoy it, but, alas Lovina & I are very selfish with our M&M candy apples!

|| macy james || shiny hiny baby session

2009-08-12T17:47:00.002-04:00

Oh man. What do I say. You know its crazy how people can surprise you no matter how long you have known them. G.E. is one of our best friends. He has been there for me through some tough times, some awesome times, times we don't actually remember but people told us about, and times we don't wanna remember. So when he came into my studio a few months ago and asked us where he could get maternity clothes for " a friend " we were so very psyched. I actually told Lovina and she was like, " Lauren is preggers!!!" Well it could not have happened to a better couple. Lauren is a perfect mother and G.E., well I guess he's come a long way from prancing around red bank in a wedding gown. Thats him with the long hair in the first image on our website, and yes, he's wearing a gown! Lovina and I are so happy for you two. We can't wait forMacy, Lilly and Molly to be friends. Kids are a trip dude, you will LOVE every minute of her. Congratulations and God Bless...
Lovina + John

|| melissa + jay || @ the bonnet island estate

2009-08-04T18:03:00.004-04:00

Another fabulous wedding from the Bonnet Island Estate. Hey Laura, thanks for recommending us to THE most beautiful brides and grooms. Melissa + Jay are a handsome couple, and what a blast to boot. fantastic gown, perfect shoes, amazing weather, great sunset. It all equals an awesome wedding day @ Bonnet. Thank you so much Laura, Ginny and everyone else over there. We absolutely adore each and every weekend we are blessed with a day with you guys.

|| meredith + peter || @ the molly pitcher

2009-07-31T13:37:00.005-04:00

well if you follow this blog at all, you know we just love red bank! so when meredith + peter said they just wanna hang around downtown red bank & do their photos, we were phyched... we even hit up zebu for some fun images! The ceremony was @ Elberon Memorial Church, which is just awesome for the architectural elements. If you're ever there, check out the coins in the chandeliers. Our beautiful bride, meredith, actually got dressed there. Well the rain was on and off so we actually had some fun getting outside and then running from it. I love when a bride and groom just say hey we're gonna hop in your car and drive around with you, just pull over when you wanna shoot. Perfect! We got a train passing by, an old red building, the middle of Broad street, even up to our studio overlooking the street. If it wasn't raining we could have headed up to our roof to get some great scenes, but I didn't want anyone to fall off... namely me! Ouch!

|| kiersten + kevin || the channel club

2009-07-28T14:58:00.003-04:00

What a fantastic summer sunny wedding this was. The images on the beach were a blast, even though kiersten trashed her dress BEFORE the reception even started. Well I guess she didn't exactly trash it, I mean it was still pretty spotless after the frikkin' rogue wave hit us. I felt like the poseiden! Well kiersten was unharmed due to the chivalry of her shiny new husband kevin and the day went on like it never even happened. Fred, Nick, Liz and the rest of the wonderful staff @ the channel club were of course as perfect as usual. We are just so blessed to work places like theirs and have people who really belong to our little family here. And Oh My Gosh THE SUNSET! one of the best ever. Definitely stick around and check out the end of the slideshow for that!

|| corrine + erik || the hotel alcott, came may, nj

2009-07-26T20:17:00.003-04:00

You know a wedding is going to be awesome when there is a bunch of dudes standing in a circle on the front lawn of the house that the bride is getting ready at, staring down at one of the other dudes laying flat out on the ground. Apparently they had kind of a radical rehearsal dinner. It was totally cool. like after the party in the movie old school! Well thats just how our day started with corrine + erik, and it only gets better. corrine + erik contacted Lovina when they were starting to plan their cape may wedding, and they hit it off perfectly. we just knew it would be a fun wedding and counted down the days. Boy was it worth it, what with the challenge of erik's broken ankle and all. nope it wasn't pole dancing at the bachelor party, it was kickball. looks like violent kickball to me. the only time I got hurt in kick ball was when I got beat up in third grade for not running for second when the next kicker rocked the ball out there! Well Lovina & I had a great time and have the pictures to prove it. corrine looked beautiful, and the whole time was just a total fun and rad day. The Hotel Alcott in Cape May was sooo amazing, we absolutely recommend it.

|| Graphi RoadShow 2009 ||

2009-07-15T11:17:00.002-04:00

WOW! Check it out! John Arara photography is humbled & honored to make an appearance in the Graphi Promo Video with the famous team of Jim & Katarina Garner. We are on the roadshow with Graphi so come see us in Philly... Its free, fun and informative!
http://www.graphistudio.com/usseminars/index.php?menu=home

|| Kim + Lou || @ the Leva residence, millstone

2009-07-13T16:06:00.006-04:00

Holy details batman, where do we begin?!?! I guess the beginning. We knew that after a fun day shooting Kim + Lou's NYC :E: Session, they would have an awesome wedding, Erin, Alessandra and the girls from "Details of I Do" did a fabulous job of bringing it all together. Check out the slideshow and see if you can find their special cameo towards the end. Well Kim wore a fantastic pair of purple Giuseppe Zanotti shoes to match Lou's purple sock! haha funny... Oh and see if you can find my self portrait with the ring bearer! What a fun day we all had. The clouds were amazing. After the beautiful ceremony @ St. Mary's, where Lovina and I were married, we headed over to Deep Cut PArk, in Middletown for some of our signature "Punk Rock Couture" photos, where we had some fun with the POCKETS on Kim's wedding gown. I love pockets in dresses, so practical and radical... After the park it was over to the Leva Residence, where the most amazing backyard tent reception was waiting for us. Complete with Chinese globe lanterns, long tables with beautifully designed tall centerpeices and dark table cloths, and a purple lighting motif throughout the tent. Wait until you see the ceiling, it was clear and you really felt like you were in the open air under the stars.
Thanks for having us guys we had a great time and just loved your day.

|| liz + t.j. || @ the fromagerie in rumson

2009-07-07T12:35:00.007-04:00

We have been awaiting this wedding's turn to be blogged so very patiently, but, now its out! Well another one of our favs for the year, Liz + t.j. are a tre' chic couple who were married @ Holy Cross in Rumson. They got this great Cadillac to be driven around in by their event designer,Alan's Florist in Rumson, and although we didn't go anywhere except in the middle of the street there for our little fashion session, I think you will agree it was c'est chouette. Watch the slideshow for a cameo by none other than Josie from Face FX doing a fabulous job on make-up!The Gown of course from Mustillo's Town & Country right across the street from us in beautiful downtown red bank. Shoes by Fillipa Scott... gorgeous!
The reception was also in Rumson @ David Burke's Fromagerie.
John, our host for this fabulous evening was just amazing, and Jared, our star chef really outdid himself. Thanks for a great night guys... But wait there's more... More you say, prey tell what more, None other than the Frikkin' Nerds for the evenings entertainment, well that is after I was finished with my skit of course... Radical day, romantic night, beautiful times!

|| lauren + larry || @ bonnet island estate

2009-07-06T15:16:00.005-04:00

Lauren & Larry are such a sweet couple. They had a beautiful day complete with summer sun, and an island all their own! Stunning, stunning, stunning is Lauren's winnie couture! gown. The pleats look sooo cool! We just loved it. Bonnet island of course is always a raging beauty herself as per usual. I think I'm going to just put a bed under the little rowboat in the back of the place. It just seems like we're always there, and thank goodness because it could be worse. We could be , well , somewhere else not near the beach, and the breeze, or on an island! The fantastic flowers and event design was done by MDS Floral Design. They are just soooo unique and awesome, we just couldn't stop shooting them. I totally loved the starfish escort cards! AND WOW! the Staff from Merri-Makers , as always was a dream to work with, Danielle ran the day just perfectly...And came in just in time, we're so frikkin' sick of Laura! HaHa Laura, just kidding! we like you too! Ashley is always suuuuch a help as well! Tell them all we said hi if you head over to the island anytime soon!

|| lori + chris || @ the molly pitcher

2009-07-06T13:39:00.003-04:00

What a fun and relaxed couple lori + chris are. We had so much fun photographing their wedding, especially because we were @ a few of our favorite places and favorite things. For example Lori said she was actually inspired by our little website to grab a pair of Manolos for the wedding day. Well anytime we can inspire someone to make that kind of commitment to fashion we are just super pumped... well, unless of course your commitment to fashion comes in the way of your photography budget! HAHA! They did however, work perfectly with herAlita Graham gown from, none other than Kleinfelds!
So deep cut park in middletown is one of the first parks I remember going to with my Dad in the 80's to shoot , so we always love going there. Who knew we would run into the famous Mike Simons of Mike Simons Video video shooting another wedding there. I did not get his autograph, although he liked my Vans! Then off to the ever amazing Molly Pitcher in Red Bank. Get a load of the cameo of Richard with a bouquet of flowers someone brought for the beautiful bride. Yeah I selective colored it for that extra little... well HA! For you Richard!!!

To order this slideshow in book or DVD form, please click the icon below.

|| dani + jacob || @ the bonnet island estate

2009-07-03T13:40:00.006-04:00

WOW! Holy Cow! What can we say about the awesomeness that is dani + jacob's wedding. We really feel like we have been planning this wedding along with them and boy was it ever a blast! Always an amazing time for me when my most lovely wife Lovina is along to get some terrific images! There are so many amazing details from this wedding, you just have to watch the slideshow like a hundred times to catch them all. Laura and the staff @ Merri-Makers
catering are always so perfect. Everytime we are at Bonnet we always look forward to working with them. Ginny, thanks for making us feel like we are right @ home everytime we are here! Flowers you say, wait until you see the centerpieces and all the floral designs by Katydid florals in Red Bank ps get a frikkin website Katie!!!. We absolutely look forward to each and every wedding that is planned byKathy & All the Best Weddings & Celebrations
Dani & Jacob you ask... Well dani of course looked fantastic, and her make-up byby Tara @ Hot Mess was beautiful. Jacob looked great as well and actually hand tied his bow tie, what talent. Well guys we can't wait for the aftershoot in Providence, sailing with wine and cheese sounds tre' chic to us!

|| christine + dennis || @ the pleasantdale chateau

2009-06-24T18:24:00.003-04:00

Holy Cow are we ever behind in blogging. Well this is our craziest year ever and blogging has apparently taken a back seat, but, we thought we owed it to all of our fans to put up something new!
Well Christine + Dennis had an amazing day out in northern New Jersey. The weather was great, the bride, beautiful, the groom, a blast, the bridal party, radical. All of the elements to make a nice day alot of fun.
The ceremony was held @ St Teresa's in Summit, which is a gorgeous church on Morris Ave. The Pleasantdale is always one of our very favorite places to go. They Do it perfectly right every time. The light outside in the gardens that day was exquisite, and Laura, Santiago, Iveliss, Natalya and the rest of the staff are such a delight to be around. Thanks for a great day guys! I loved Dennis' older brothers line about having 3 best men, " Dennis didn't get one best man, but 3 barely competent ones"... classic!

|| jill + gregg || @ the river house, brielle

2009-06-12T08:39:00.002-04:00

WOW!
What a beautiful day jill + gregg had... We actually LOVED the river house soooo much that Lovina & I came back the very next day for mothers day. It seems like it was the last sunny day we ever had! When will this june gloom end??? Well jill got ready @ the home of her parents, um hi wait until you see their backyard, its like a frikkin' park, they have a LAKE! The ceremony was at the cutest little chapel right in the middle of allaire state park. We just love it there, every time we have a wedding there the images look fantastic. Then off to the beach for some fun and casual photos! Check out how great the river house looked as well... Its always sooo cool there.

Have Fun!!!

|| samantha + mike || @ waters edge, sea bright

2009-06-06T09:51:00.004-04:00

As most of you know, we do this photography stuff all because of my Dad. He was a photographer , and showed Lovina and I how to make a life for each other and provide for our girls... We can never thank him enough and this is his legacy. Lovina and I are soooo lucky to have friends & clients like the Sabatos family. Here's is why... We are very connected to this family, they own a popular meat market ( no its not bar A) in middletown, and when my Dad was 13 or so, he had his first job ever, stuffing hot dogs and sausages for them. Then I think it was 1973, when he photographed Samantha's parents wedding... Mr. & Mrs. Sabatos created a beautiful clan of 4 daughters. Within the past 9 years we have photographed each and every one of those daughters weddings, ending with Samantha, the youngest of the four. What a great experience. We are so grateful, and just know that my Dad would be very proud. And you know we hate to brag, but really, who gets this kind of legacy... I mean to have a photo studio responsible for shooting the parents wedding and then, us , the second generation photographing the second generation of weddings from the original family... Who gets that opportunity? Not many, but I'm proud to say that WE DO! Thats what makes us different, and no one else can say that... Thank you Dad...
Well enough about that lets talk about the awesomness that is Samantha and Mike's wedding. I was blessed to shoot this one with the greatest photographer I know, my wife, Lovina. In fact most of the images in the slideshow are hers! Why the hell my name is on the sign I'll never know. Well, Samantha looked absolutely beautiful, and yeah I guess Mike is no slouch either. After a ceremony @ St. James in beautiful downtown Red Bank, we headed over to their butcher shop in middletown. Soooo funny! Check out Mike in the freezer! Twin Lights, after that, overlooking NYC, and the mighty Atlantic. Wow what views we had that day , and check out the cherry blossoms...perfect!
Oh my God this blog is turning into a frikkin' novella!
Ok... so after that it was right over to the Waters EdgeIn Sea Bright for a woderfully amazing reception. Sal and everyone over there just created such an amazing experience for the entire wedding. They are always nothing short of perfect... oh and Sal makes a cameo in the slideshow... see if you can find him!

An Arcara has photographer every married couple in this photo!!!

|| maryjane + sean || @ waters edge, sea bright!

2009-06-02T14:35:00.002-04:00

WOW! It is outta control here @ photo frikkin' central let me tell you! Finally though I have found time to blog. Well Maryjane and Sean had a day that turned out amazing. It was a little iffy @ first but man when the sun came out and we got that beautiful storm light... Well see for yourself how fabulous they looked. Sal and the awesome staff from Waters Edge
were on top of their game as always, and You know that it will be a fantastic night when Jay from Elite is spinning the wheels of steel!

|| jill + brian || @ spring lake bath & tennis | 04.18.09

2009-05-15T11:21:00.002-04:00

What a funalicious day Jill + Brian had! They are a blast to be around and Brian's friends, as you will see from the slideshow below, don't drink at all... Ha! Jill looked so perfect & well I guess Brian is no slouch either. We had the best clouds in the sky for the beach photographs, and had an awesome time shooting there. The reception was @ the spring lake bath & tennis club, another one of our very favorite locations.

To order this slideshow in book or DVD form, please click the icon below.

|| gina + rami || 04.17.09 @ the newark club

2009-05-07T12:31:00.003-04:00

I love that we have an "international" clientele. It was so fun this past year reading about their life in London on Facebook, and how they met in Saudi, and all the cool places they have been. Gina was so relaxed and looked great in her gown. The beautiful ceremony was downstairs in the Lobby of the Newark Club, and I always love hitting the city streets for photos. The newark club looked great, and they did a fabulous job as usual. PS Rami is NOT doing shots with his 15 year old brother in these pics, Makram is doing water shots!!!
To order this slideshow in book or DVD form, please click the icon below.

|| kelly + brian || 03.13.09 | the mill @ spring lake

2009-04-22T12:03:00.007-04:00

kelly + brian are the type couples we just love to hang out with. they are fun, spontaneous, and they even thought i was kinda funny... (no easy task in itself, just ask Lovina). Kelly looked great, her make-up by Melissa from Pink comb. AND of course always a pleasure when Mike Simons is behind the video lens! Lovina was with us @ this wedding too which is always a special treat, for our Kelly & Brian, not me as all she seems to do is show me up and make fun of me!!! haha!! Our friends @ the Mill did a SPECTACULAR job as usual.
lotsa good fun as you will see from the slideshow below!

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|| amy + john || the molly pitcher | red bank

2009-04-21T10:27:00.001-04:00

Whenever we are @ the molly pitcher, we just feel so comfortable and happy. They really make us feel like a part of their family over there and for amy + john's wedding, they just proved again why Amanda, Jim, Shari, Jeanne, janice, and all the rest of the staff are among the greatest ever. What a perfect day too. Small chill, little breeze, and the clouds.. Oh the clouds, just check out the ridiculous skies we had this day. Amy + John are a radical fun couple. The morning of the wedding john & the boys went and got shaves & the to the , ready for this, Firing Range. WOW I wanna wake up and shoot guns before a wedding one day. I totally would have shot (photographed) that. So cool. Well guys thanks for a wonderful day and although I don't have an M1 Garand to shoot , I did just pick up a paintball gun, so if you wanna go, just tell us...

To order this slideshow in book or DVD form, please click the icon below

Blackhawk Down@lightfighter

2009-04-20T14:52:00.001-04:00

this is soooo sick too

|| meredith + vincent | 03.28.09 | @ Seasons in Washington

2009-04-14T10:25:00.002-04:00

So a few weeks ago we were blessed with shooting another Rapolla wedding. Meredith + Vincent were married in Suffern NY, and then had an amazing reception @ Seasons in Washington, NJ. Now we also photographed Vin's brother Dan's wedding to Melanie just on September 12, 2008, @ the Channel Club in Monmouth Beach. You may also not know this awesome little tid-bit, but my Dad photographed Vin & Dan's parents wedding in June of 1973, as well as their uncles wedding. So you can really say that we feel like a part of this family. Another little known Arcara fun fact is that Vincent and Dan's parents purchased their home in Middletown from my grandparents. My Dad was actually raised in the same house as Vin & Dan. AND Oh My God, LAST connection I promise, Dan does our landscaping @ our home in Tinton Falls. This is rediculous... The entire reason that we love what we do sooo much is that we get to share what we do with the people we love and have known since forever. OK enough of all that crap, the Rapollas are pretty funny looking too so thank goodness Vin had Meredith for a wife! ( Nice segway back to the real reason we're here huh?) She looked spectacular. We had so much fun and what a radical day. The entire staff @ Seasons we top notch and made sure everything went perfectly smooth. I was hoping to get Meredith in her gown on the Hog in the her Dad's garage, but time was not our friend that day. Even so , I think it all went off famously. See what you think in their slideshow below!

To order this slideshow in book or DVD form, please click the icon below.

|| Truly Humbled || the knot best of weddings !!!

2009-04-08T16:28:00.002-04:00

I know that we talk about it all the time, but, we just have to say again that we are truly humbled and blessed to have so many brides and grooms hire us to perform a service that we hold so near to our hearts. I mean first you all voted us as " The Knot Best of 2007 AND now 2008/2009" which just makes us love what we do even more. The Knot Best of Weddings is a coast-to-coast guide to the entire country's top florists, venues, photographers, cakes, and everything in between. Whats really amazing about this is that The Knot really had nothing to do with it at all (well except for be associated with it, and the fact that it is their site that this is coming from) but that an independent company came in and polled brides. It was all the brides doing! Which to me is even bigger and better. There were something like 25,000 brides polled. Now our 2009 season is booking up faster than any other year. Its just so flattering. We are getting so many inquiries from some really exciting weddings, its really working out to be a fantastic year. Its just so much fun to see these things happen to our little studio here in Red Bank, and what is also so amazing is all the referrals we have been getting from our prior couples. I mean its all because of you guys talking about us that has really made it happen for Lovina , Molly, Lilly and I. If you are a 2010 couple please don't hesitate to call us. Our season is booking up quick and we want to make sure all of you are well taken care of.
We also have some other exciting things going on at John Arcara Photography. Lovina has redesigned our branding and logos, as some of you may have noticed on the newer blog images. We just want to portray a cleaner image and really let the photographs do the talking. we will be adding many new images to the website, so be on the lookout for that. Lovina has designed some new promotional materials as well, including, postcards, business cards, a newly designed simplified price list, and new note cards as well. We also have some radical new albums that we are designing sample layouts for that will be ready real soon.

|| amanda + nick | 03.14.09 | the stone house @ stirling ridge ||

2009-04-06T17:38:00.005-04:00

Amanda + Nick had such an awesome wedding that we had to do not one but 2 different slideshows. The first one is the type that we always put here on our blog. Its to their wedding song making memories of us by keith urban. the second one is our newest offering called "FotoFusion". It's a blending of stills and motion using the mot cutting edge technology & techniques in photography. A revolutionary way to unobtrusively capture your beautiful day.
So Amanda + Nick had their whole day @ the stonehouse. Rebecca and her staff are just amazing and we always have a blast when we are blessed with a wedding there. Amanda of course looked radiant , and what a goof her handsome husband nick is. Dude you clean up nice... The whole bridal party as a matter of fact looked like a bunch of celebrities. Well check them out in both of our signature slideshow below.

To order this slideshow in book or DVD form, please click the icon below.

Dress - PJ Harvey

2009-03-30T13:26:00.001-04:00

we used this song on out philly trash the dress slideshow. check out pj. harvey , she rocks

Morrissey - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

2009-03-26T14:52:00.001-04:00

what a great song. We just got to see Morrissey in Montcair , he was awesome!

|| April Issue of TOWN AND COUNTRY Magazine ||

2009-03-18T21:29:00.003-04:00

We are soooo totally excited and humbled! Check out Anne + Todd in the April Issue of Town and Country - Special Travel Issue on page 126, photographed by who you may ask??? Well take a look @ the credit in the sidebar below!

|| alice + mike || 02.20.09 @ the pleasantdale chateau

2009-03-07T13:15:00.003-05:00

What an amazing couple alice + mike are. We had an awesome day over @ the Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, NJ. Alice looked stunning in her Amsale gown from Saks 5th Avenue, and those fantastic Vera Wang shoes! Whenever we are @ the Pleasantdale we are just so overwhelmed by the wonderful staff over there. Our go to girl Ivelisse NEVER disappoints, and wait until you see the cool shot of Santiago helping out with the cake cutting. I also would like to thank Lisa for everything she did for us with this wedding.

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|| amy + patrick || red bank -E- session

2009-03-03T18:32:00.003-05:00

Amy called me on Sunday and had me totally excited to shoot her and Patrick's red bank -E- session in the snow on monday. WOW what fun we had. I so cannot wait for their wedding in June.

Announcing "FotoFusion"

2009-02-19T18:26:00.009-05:00

Keeping on the edge of technology and pushing the envelope even farther, as you all know, is what we at John Arcara Photography LOVE to do and "FotoFusion" is the newest way we do that. Its a multimedia slideshow complete with stills and motion. A lot of our brides and grooms don't feel comfortable in front of a video camera, but with the new Canon 5DmkII camera you'll never know you're being filmed! Hence no awkwardness in your video. And of course we are one of the very first to do it!
Call it photo, call it video....call it FOTOFUSION!

First check out Dani + Jacob's engagement session in beautiful downtown Red Bank!

|| dani + jacob || - red bank FotoFusion - from john arcara on Vimeo.

So now, lets talk about just how amazing Kate + Frank's wedding @ the Brooklake Country Club on Valentine's Day was. Kate is a teacher AND make-up artist , and Frank, well Frank is the singer in the wedding band NEW POWER SOUL
. So can Kate sing you ask... Like a frikkin' rock star. oh my God this was one of the most entertaining weddings and THE MOST entertaining Bride & groom. Check out the "FotoFusion" of their wedding below.

|| The Fine Art Album ||

2009-02-05T07:40:00.001-05:00

Here is a video about our Fine Art Album.

john arcara photography, album design from john arcara on Vimeo.

|| Thank you Cards ||

2009-02-04T22:15:00.001-05:00

|| dana + mike || 01.10.09 @ Addison Park

2009-01-14T14:41:00.005-05:00

Well this one got put on our blog quick!!! Can we say Awesome!! Snow and weddings two great tastes that taste great together. Gown Pricilla of Boston! Shoes Stuart Weizman! The frikkin' list goes on and Dana looks perfect in all of it! Her Dad had a fantastic collection of guitars and a beautiful 69 Corvette Stingray to boot. Hey Dana call us in the summer we'll do a trash the dress and totally Whitesnake out on the Vette!!! Ed, Carla, Sal, and the rest of the staff @ the always stunning Addison Park were of course astounding!

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|| meghan + dominick || 11.22.08 @ the channel club

2009-01-05T12:48:00.005-05:00

Well this is it... Our final 2008 wedding. We think we ended on the right foot too. what an awesome couple. Meghan looked perfect in her Demitrios gown, and Dominick is no slouch himself. Jeanine Mangan doing beautiful make-up and amazing florals by Petal Beach... And Fred, Nick and Liz @ the channel club always make the day amazing for us and everyone else. Also check out the cameo of Ozzy from Versatile Entertainment who had everyone out of their seats and on the dance floor all night long!

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|| Lilly's 1st Day ||

2008-12-16T16:53:00.008-05:00

December 15, 2008 we were blessed with a brand new baby girl. Lilly Jane Arcara arrived @ 8:08am, coming in @ 7lbs 8ounces, and was 21" tall. Lovina is doing great and wow, she is truly amazing. She showed such strength and courage, she really made it look easy. I'm so very blessed and honored to have her for a wife. Lilly is doing great and is sooooo cute. Man she looks nothing like Molly either. When Molly came to the hospital she was introducing everyone to Lilly, and even telling people to give hugs to each other. thank you so much to all of our family and amazing friends for all the calls and comments both on facebook and in our emails. we love you all and are just so happy to have you.

|| anne + todd || 11.15.08 @ eagle oaks country club

2008-12-15T17:14:00.000-05:00

Well Happy Everything to all of you!!! Now that most of the holidays are finally over we can all get back to whats really important in life... Blogging!!!
So here's a way cool wedding from last month. Anne + Todd had a wonderful day, There was Leopard print, Prada, Stewart Weizman, Melissa Sweet, and an awesome cake from Tinton Falls Pastry Shop that had some battle damage, no match for Ed and the fantastic staff over @ Eagle Oaks. They fixed it like it never even happened! Come to find out that also, my Dad shot one of her bridesmaids weddings back in 1993. It just keeps happening! Check out all the action in the slideshow below!

span style="font-weight:bold;">To order this slideshow in book or DVD form, please click the icon below.

|| Family Stuff ||

2008-12-13T20:24:00.005-05:00

So its been a while since we've posted family pics... It just seems like we are FOREVER on FaceBook! So here are a few with a surprise ending to boot!

can you pick out Molly?!?!?

she just kills me!

call frikkin dyfs!!!

|| Jackie + Geoff || 11.08.08 @ Liberty House

2008-12-11T16:11:00.006-05:00

With the crew of "Usual Suspects" @ this wedding, both vendors AND guests, we just knew it would be a radical time. We had a few brides & grooms there who we shot in the past couple of years, including the grooms brother Todd and his wife Jen as well as Jen's sister Michele and her husband Anthony, so we felt very @ home with everyone. And being that we had none other than Mike Simons ( Who makes a cameo in the slideshow, see if you can find him..) and Emil behind the video lens, as well as the famously amazing Brian Kirk on the bandstand!
Jackie wore a fabulous Reem Acra gown From Saks, and I just couldn't get enough images of the Jimmy Choos, and speaking of footwear, you should have seen our ring bearer Ryan in his tux and chuck taylor all stars!!! After the ceremony @ St Mary's (Same Church we were married in...Wow who knew 5 years, Molly AND another baby on Monday!!!) we headed right to the liquor store... hey need are needs man.. and the up to Libetry House in Jersey City for some foggy fotos. The fog didn't matter though because as usual you adapt and overcome and before you know it, it lifts, separates and you have an amazing view of the evening NYC skyline. Hey and great wedding song guys! Hope its ok we used it in your slideshow.

To order this slideshow in book or DVD form, please click the icon below.

|| tracy + paul || 10.24.08 @ The Castle @ Skylands

2008-12-07T09:55:00.003-05:00

I think "The Castle @ Skylands" is perhaps the northernmost place you can go for a wedding and still be in New Jersey! Its sooooo frikkin' far! But TOTALLY worth it. I mean its a castle, even I felt like it was a fairy tale! Tracy + Paul are a very fun couple, in love with each other & the Fall. She looked stunning in her "Kenneth Pool" gown from "Kleinfelds" . Check out the amazing flowers from "Dalsimer" out on Long Island. Paul the hopeless romantic that he is presented Tracy with a little blue box while we were making photographs on the grounds of the gardens. WOW Tiffany's! Dude, awesome!!! "Little Blue Box" is my favorite color, besides clear...LOL ! Well the whole bridal party was radical & fun as you will see in the slideshow below. As for The Skylands... Linda and her staff were impeccable, and really made us just love to shoot there, and we can wait to be there again.

You can order a slideshow as a DVD or a PhotoBook, by clicking the icons below!

|| meredith + darren || 10.25.08 @ the molly pitcher, red bank

2008-12-06T13:10:00.008-05:00

Meredith + Darren had a wet day... Although you would never have known it from their excitement. These 2 exemplify what we tell our couples all the time. Just embrace what happens on your wedding day, don't fight it, adapt, improvise & overcome , and it will all work out. Well this day it totally worked out. Meredith looked fab in herLazaro gown from of course, Mustillo's in Red Bank. We just loved the theme of their wedding which was all of the "Benchmarks" of their lives together. Especially the fact that the "bench" they used for the motif, was the actual bench that Darren proposed on! All of the paper accesories were designed by her friend Danielle, who has a design company called "Sweet Dani B". Fantastic florals from"Anderson Flowers in Iselin. "Band Of Gold" had everyone shaking their tushies all night long, and of course the always amazing Mike Simons behind the cinema lens doing video is the perfect way to capture the action!

click the icons to order this slideshow as a photobook or DVD!

|| Mike + Gina Simons ||

2008-12-04T16:29:00.003-05:00

So this ugly couple wanted us to take their photo, we told them we don't shoot funny looking people but they insisted... LOL !! Ha Ha, just kidding, Mike + Gina are great friends of ours. Mike is actually the areas premier videographer and we are so blessed that he asked us to take some quick pics for them. We actually shot it in our backyard. We had a blast, and I think they look fabulous. Dinner was great too guys SAWA rocks! Thank you so very much.

|| Mariel + Dan || 10.12.08 @ The Channel Club

2008-11-26T16:18:00.004-05:00

Mariel + Dan are an awesome couple who got married @ Mount Carmel Church in Beautiful Downtown Asbury Park, NJ. If they look familiar thats because they are totally famous. Lovina and I phtographed their engagement session on the beach in Asbury and it was published in "Brides Magazine" last season. From the fun we had @ the engagement session we just knew the wedding would be fab! Um hello can you say christian louboutin shoes! And we knew Mariel would look radiant in Novissima from Carolyns Bridal. Linda @ Sunset Florist just blew us away with all the flowers as well.

|| Deborah + Patrick || 10.18.08 @ The Oyster Point Hotel

2008-11-25T15:43:00.002-05:00

Dee Dee & Patrick met @ Donovan's in Sea Bright, so, it was only right for us to go there for pictures and oh man it looked soooo great. it was a little breezy but Dee Dee was totally a trooper. Better than the rain that was forecasted. They had a great 1931 Studebaker taking them to all of our cool locations. Christian and the Staff @ Oyster Point were perfect as usual, and Mission Dance rocked!

|| katie + richard || 10.17.08 The Hilton @ Short Hills

2008-11-19T10:49:00.006-05:00

On Saturday, August 13, 2005, Richard and three close friends were body surfing in Manasquan, NJ. Richard was a strong, experienced swimmer, but on this day, he was unable to successfully pull up and out of a very powerful wave, which drove him headfirst into the bottom of the sea floor, breaking his neck. Lovina and I are very blessed to be photographing his wedding to his longtime sweetheart Katie. Besides my sister's wedding this was perhaps the most emotional wedding we have been to. It was also one of our favorites. Katie + Richard are an awesome couple, I've never seen a Bride & Groom giggle sooo much @ the alter. When Katie walked up the aisle to greet her Groom, he stood @ the alter & I think the entire congregation, including Lovina & Myself, were in tears. Katie did the designing of the programs and much of the decor, even going so far as to carve the pumpkins herself! Check it out in the slideshow below!

|| Liz+ Tim || 11.01.08 @ Ocean Place Resort

2008-11-16T15:15:00.000-05:00

I know I'm totally blogging out of order, but Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch wanted these images so I figured I would go ahead and put it up. We also just blogged about Lizzie's parents wedding below, so check that out as well.
So Lizzie + Tim were just married this weekend on the beach in Long Branch, NJ. What a great day we had. Her Dad was very emotional, and I think I can definatly say, held himself together , stronger than I will @ Molly's wedding (in like 46 years!). The brides family used to own a florist in Middletown that my Dad did alot of work with. Her Grandmother Charlotte actually did the florals for the wedding herself. Lizzie's Mom even got into the craftiness and created the headpiece for her to wear. It looked great. Tim was very relaxed as well, and looked perfectly handsome. Calm Cool and Collected... Thats Tim. Lizzie's gown was a stunning Ramona Keveza ( one of my Favs ) from Kleinfelds, and she had these great little pumps with a pretty blue sole. The Staff @ Ocean Place are totally amazing man, I'll tell ya Atila had it all down, and it was great to finally meet with Audrey and getting a phone call from Stacy, right while I was shooting was hilarious!

Check it all out below.

|| kathleen + Dave || 09.27.08 @ The Barclay

2008-11-10T17:04:00.005-05:00

Oh My Gosh!!! We are sooo behind on everything! Blogging, editing, lunch...
Well Kathleen + Dave had a very shall we say ethereal day. Lots of romantic fog, like a London evening.. She looked awesome in her Mikaella gown. They even had our fav trolley, theLong Branch Trolley Company ... AND our favorite Cinematic Wedding Documentarian... Mike Simons! The Barclay in Belmar, for some reason ALWAYS proves itself perfect for a rowdy party, and speaking of rowdy... the rowdy Pat Roddy Band rocked the night away!

The Infamous Mike Simons in action!!

|| sal, kiran, priya + dylan ||

2008-11-07T23:24:00.004-05:00

its always great when you can share your love of phtotgraphy with your family, plus, they sure are cute for a few ugly people!

|| the Molly Monster Slideshow ||

2008-11-04T14:52:00.006-05:00

So Halloween was lotsa fun this year! We had school parades, and trick or treating! Candy , candy candy... now Molly thinks that whenever she has her little basket it should be filled with candy!

Here it is folks! The long awaited Halloween Slideshow...

What THEY don't have!

2008-11-03T11:17:00.000-05:00

All of you that keep up with this blog knows about My Dad's passing in February. I'll tell ya, this is exactly why we do this. This past weekend we photographed Liz + Tim's wedding @ Ocean Place in Long Branch. Well we don't have the images yet, but , what we do have for me, is priceless. Apparently this is another wedding that my Dad had photographed the Bride's parents wedding in 1979. Just the pride and honor alone we feel while photographing their daughter, is unmatched by any other photographer I would venture to say in the world. THAT, is what they don't have. And this time, we have the actual album. The lovely mother of the bride, Norma, was good enough to make a special trip to our Red Bank Studio to drop of the album that my Father did for them in 1979. You must see this. Its sooo cool. In one of the images in the album you can actually see his camera case in the background of the shot. Now for me this is important, as I remember in my teens , shooting weddings and I would every once in a while get a camera case in the photo , and man he would yell @ me and call me "camera case johnny". Wow, I hated being made fun of like that. Now I would give almost anything for it. Well there it is in print, now I really know that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, huh Dad, or should I call you Camera Case Daddy!!!
And check it out, the camera case that I used for the background is the one pictured in the actual album , and if you look closely you can see his 2 Hasselblads in the photos.
Hey Norma Lovina and I thank you so very much for this. It really means alot...

|| Domenique + Kevin || 9.21.08 South Shore Country Club

2008-11-01T16:41:00.000-04:00

Dominique + Kevin made this whole day so much fun right from the start. She is excellent infront of the camera and when you watch the motion in the slideshow you will find out why. She totally looked like she could be a model, and Kevin, man he even did an extremely deep dip at the alter for their kiss. Check out the 1949 Cadillac Fleetwood they arrived to their open air cocktail hour in. Soooo many dips as they danced the night away!

|| catherine + greg || 9.20.08 Bayhead Yacht Club

2008-11-01T15:33:00.000-04:00

Catherine + Greg are going to have a great marriage. Why, because they have the same anniversary as Lovina and I. Yup , thats what I did on my 5 year anniversary, I shot a wedding. It was sure a very cool wedding too. Catherine already looked great , but when Kristen , from Luxe Beauty is doing Make-Up, you know the bride will look extra special. Her Dress is Rivini from Kleinfelds of course, and it was perfect. When we arrived we were so stoked that Emil from Michael Simons Video was there. Those guys rock! The Theme of the day was travel and it was apparent in all of the details. From the table names to the Bride + Groom arriving to the cocktail hour by boat.

|| Just A tease ||

2008-10-30T16:06:00.002-04:00

SlideShow to follow!

|| why I wake up each day ||

2008-10-29T11:02:00.002-04:00

I'm just speechless...

there's no place like home

i can hear the Bollywood music playing now!!!

Molly-Diwali

|| New Products ||

2008-10-27T14:27:00.003-04:00

Wow!!!
You can now order books and DVDs of your slideshows right from our blog, just by clicking the icon under the player in the slideshow itself. Great Gifts!!!