Film Wedding Photography

elopement and wedding Photography in alabama (and beyond) That Feels Alive


Film wedding photography is not about nostalgia for the sake of nostalgia. It’s about feel.



Film slows me down on purpose. There’s no machine-gun clicking and no overshooting just because I can. Every frame is created with intention. Letting reactions actually unfold, capturing a planned editorial pose or getting a goofy moment reminiscent of having a disposable camera as a kid.


What you get back are images with depth. Real grain. Honest tones. Skin that looks like skin. Blacks that can be dark and moody. Whites that can be bright and airy. Film doesn’t flatten everything into the same preset vibe. It holds onto the atmosphere. If your reception is dim and candlelit, it stays that way. If your ceremony is lit with full sun, it captures that glow.


I mix film in because your wedding day isn’t supposed to look sterile. It’s supposed to feel alive. A little imperfect. A little cinematic. A little chaotic in the best way.

If you love the idea of photos that feel like they could live in an old shoebox but still hit like an editorial spread, film might be your thing.



And if you’re into genuine, slightly unhinged joy captured on something that can’t be duplicated with a filter, we’ll get along just fine. : )

Scenic coastal wedding photography collage featuring ocean views, cliffside moments, and romantic beach scenes at sunset.
A couple in wedding attire poses together in a sunlit forest setting during their outdoor wedding celebration.
Two men in light blue suits sit in stadium seats, eating popcorn and looking upward with surprised expressions.
A flowing white wedding dress twirls gracefully in a romantic outdoor setting with string lights and trees.
Couple relaxing at home looking at vinyl record album near a retro turntable by a window.
Romantic candlelit table settings at an elegant wedding reception with glowing centerpieces and crystal chandeliers overhead.
Vintage marquee sign reading Now Playing Andy & Joseph with date 08.22.2026 in warm golden light.

How do you choose what you photograph?


One of the charms of film wedding photography is how finite it is. Because of that limitation, it forces my photography eye to be more present, more in the moment. That said, I do have a tendency to photograph light. Be it candles on the reception tables, chandeliers above your first newlywed dances, or beautifully filtered sunlight in a quiet and candid moment before the wedding ceremony.


Outside of light and my weird obsession with it, I look for:

  • Candid displays of emotion
  • Storytelling elements
  • Important and iconic moments
  • Silly/Cheesy prompts
  • Bold swipes of color
  • Unique happenings
  • Elements of contrast
  • Details organic to your wedding or elopement



What types of film do you use?


Generally, I use four or five types of film: Cintestill, B&W, Portra, Ektar or Kodak Gold.


CineStill

CineStill is basically film straight out of the movie world, so it has that cinematic, moody glow you can’t fake. Colors lean cool with deep blues and teal tones, while highlights (especially reds and oranges) can bloom into those soft, halo-y glows around lights. It handles low light like a dream and feels a little edgy, a little nostalgic, and very much like it was lifted from the scene in a film. However, this film is more of a "just-for-fun" roll of film. While Cinestill is stunning, one of my faves, and meant for neon lights and moody lighting, it can have some banding or excess light during the processing and scanning portion of the day.


Black & White

Black and white film strips everything back in the best way. No color, no distractions, just a full range of tones from bright whites to deep, inky blacks. The contrast can be soft and dreamy or bold and dramatic depending on the moment, but either way it’s all about light, shadow, and real emotion. Timeless, nostalgic, and effortlessly cool.


Portra

Portra is that soft, glowy, creamy film everyone falls in love with. Colors are warm and slightly muted in the prettiest way. Soft greens, gentle blues, and skin tones that look insanely natural and flattering. Nothing feels overly saturated, just smooth and dreamy without trying too hard. It’s romantic, true-to-life, and elevated all at once.


Kodak Gold

Kodak Gold is the fun one. It’s bright, warm, and a little punchy, with golden-yellow tones and richer reds that really pop. Blues stay vibrant, greens lean a bit warm, and the overall look feels sun-soaked and nostalgic—like summer memories on a disposable camera. Grain is more noticeable, which just adds to that carefree, candid energy.


Ektar

Ektar is the bold one in the lineup. Super crisp, super clean, and way more saturated than anything else I shoot. Colors hit harder in the best way. Rich greens, deep blues, and reds that actually feel red without going weird. It still keeps skin tones pretty true, just with a little extra pop, so everything feels vibrant without looking fake. The grain is super fine, so images come out really sharp and polished while still having that film feel. It leans a little more vivid and punchy than dreamy, but in the right light it absolutely goes off.

A dimly lit theater corridor with a glowing marquee sign and arrow pointing to the entrance.
A dreamy black and white wedding portrait series showing romantic moments with flowing veils and floral bouquets.
Wedding invitation for Andy and Joseph surrounded by scattered popcorn, a red party favor, and small spatula on a surface.
Wooden benches overlooking the iconic Golden Gate Bridge through cypress trees in San Francisco's Presidio park.
A couple shares a private moment during their wedding ceremony in a garden setting with lush greenery.
Newlywed couple shares romantic moment on rocky coastal cliffs at sunset with ocean and mountains in background.
A romantic outdoor wedding photo series showing intimate moments between a couple in formal attire.

How long does it take to get our film photos back?


Your film photos will be included in the final gallery along with your digital photos and Super 8 video. Because I wanted it to be one cohesive and seamless delivery, you can expect them back generally in about 8 weeks.


If you book a film-only elopement or session, you can expect the final images back in about 3-4 weeks depending on the time of year you get married. April through May and September to November are huge wedding and elopement months. The labs can get backed up pretty quickly during those times and can have a bit of a queue.


If you want your physical negatives mailed to you, that can take a bit longer! The lab mails them back to me (usually a few weeks after your film has been developed) and I will ship them straight to you once I receive them.

Can our wedding film photos get lost in the mail?


Nope! I have the luxury of living nearby to a well-known lab in little ole Alabama that thousands of photographers use from across the country. I drive every single roll of film to their lab and hand-deliver them. Once the film is developed and scanned, I receive the digitized files.


The only thing that gets put in the mail is the roll of negative film (if you request to keep yours). I have never had a roll of negatives get lost in transit!

Elegant table settings with white flowers, small potted plants, and decorative silver accents create a romantic atmosphere.

What if our wedding isn't in Alabama?


If your wedding isn’t in Alabama, that’s not a problem at all! I actually travel a lot and love photographing in new places. Travel fees depend on where you’re getting married and the package you book. Some packages have zero travel fees.


I’ll wrap it all into a custom quote so everything stays straightforward and easy. Everything will also be written out plainly and itemized in the contract and invoice.

What wedding and elopement film photography looks like with me:


Film wedding and elopement photography with me feels slower in the way you actually want your wedding day to feel. Intentional, honest, and present. I’m not rapid firing through moments. I’m paying attention to them. The way your hand fits in theirs, the light hitting your skin just right, the quiet in between everything else.


Film holds memory and feeling in the way that digital photography will never be able to emulate. There’s grain, depth, and a little imperfection that makes it feels true instead of something staged. Film will never die, and anything captured on film is immortal.


Elopements (Starts at $350)

  • One or more hours of coverage
  • Sneak peeks within 72 hours
  • High resolution digital gallery with unlimited downloads
  • Film gallery


Intimate Weddings (starts at $2,000)

  • 4 to 8 hours of coverage
  • Planning questionnaire
  • Sneak peeks within 72 hours
  • High resolution digital gallery with unlimited downloads
  • Film gallery


À la Carte Add-Ons (Starts at $65)

  • Engagement Session
  • Second Photographer
  • Extra Hours
  • Rehearsal Coverage
  • Wedding Zines
  • Super 8 Video



If you're here, film wedding photography is for your day. And if you think we might vibe well to create retro magic, contact me here.

A sequence of romantic wedding dance moments captured in an indoor setting.
Blurry neon signs glow red on a dark city street at night, captured with motion blur effect.
Silhouette of Golden Gate Bridge towers viewed through window frame at sunset.
Close-up sequence of hands nervously fidgeting in pockets showing wedding day anticipation.
Rocky island formation in the ocean with a stone pier in the foreground.
Wedding ceremony with tattooed officiant in pink dress reading vows, groom in light blue suit with yellow boutonniere.
Red metallic tinsel decorations create a shimmering curtain effect against a dark background.
San Francisco cityscape featuring the Transamerica Pyramid and historic green Victorian architecture.
Two silhouetted figures stand beneath a glowing red neon Syndicated sign on a brick building at night.
Outdoor wedding ceremony under an arch with the Golden Gate Bridge visible in the background.
A figure in formal attire stands pensively by large windows in an elegant room with grey walls and modern furniture.
A rustic wooden dining table set with dark plates, candles and simple decor in moody lighting.
A romantic coastal wedding photoshoot featuring a couple against a scenic ocean backdrop with cliffs and greenery.
Modern interior space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a scenic landscape at dusk.
Elegant white wedding cake decorated with cream ribbon and surrounded by delicate floral arrangements on crystal stands.

Contact me here!


Think fun, vintage and flashy vibes match your wedding day? If you are looking for film wedding or elopement photography, send me a message. Let's make some retro magic on your day.