From Your Future Wedding Film Photographer

To our future *dream* couples,

Let’s be honest. You don’t need another basic blog post telling you that film is “timeless.” You already know that. In fact, you’re probably here because you already know you want a film wedding photographer. What you don’t always get to hear is the why behind it all.

My Why? It’s simple. I love film. I always have. So I shoot with deep intention and maybe even a little bit of rebellion. My Why? I’ll happily talk shop with your great uncle who “used to shoot on one of those things in college.” My Why? I’m still obsessed with the chemical miracle that is film. My Why? I believe that no two images are ever the same, and that’s the magic. I love how, at the end of it all, our couples leave with something tangible and a personal piece of our story too. The joy of holding a strip of negatives up to the light and remembering how it all felt. 

And as I write this, I realize I haven’t properly introduced myself. Hi, I’m Dominique, and together with my partner, Javi, we own Castillo Holliday Photo + Film. Consider this our formal application to be your wedding film photographer and super 8 + 16mm videographer. We’re not here to chase trends or fake the film look with Lightroom presets. We shoot on 35mm, medium format, Polaroid, Super 8, and 16mm motion film and a whole lot of it (I’m talking like 40-50 rolls on average) because it makes us feel something… dude I’d even dare to say it makes me feel alive. And we want your photos to make you feel something too. You know, that same heart-tug you get when you see your parents’ or grandparents’ wedding photos.

What it means to work with us as your Film Wedding Photographers

Let’s cut to the real stuff: what it actually feels like to have us by your side on your wedding day. As your (future) wedding film photographers we’re not here to rattle off gear specs (though yes, we do shoot on a mix of 35mm, medium format, and a hefty lineup of motion film stock, and yeahhhhhh we have some pretty nice cameras that we treat like our firstborn children). What matters more is how we use it: slowly, intentionally, with your story at the center of every frame. The morning of your wedding, we’re loading rolls and metering light like our lives depend on it – because every frame matters. Every second counts. YES CHEF.

We shoot when it’s good, when it’s honest, and yeah, sometimes when nothing’s happening at all, because of those quiet, supposedly insignificant in-between moments? They’re often where the gold lives. There’s no shot quota. No filler. No machine-gun shutter just to say we “got it.” Every photo we make is part of a bigger story. YOUR STORY. 

We’re not chasing Pinterest checklists. We’re not overly posing you. What we are doing is approaching your wedding day with the eyes of artists, the hearts of documentary photographers, and the kind of focus that only comes from doing this work with full commitment. Film wedding photography isn’t just what we do. It’s how we see. And if that resonates with you – you’re in the right place. 

Why We Still Choose Film (And How Our Story Informs It)

We fell in love in the darkroom. Literally. Film is at the core of our relationship –  it’s how we met, how we learned to see the world, and how we fell into both this work and each other. So when we say love is better on film, it’s not just a tagline. It’s lived-in. It’s layered. There’s something poetic about the way film develops… slowly, in the shadows, with time and care. That’s how our story unfolded, too. Quiet late nights developing film by hand. Javi cracking jokes under the red light. Me (Dominique) chasing “perfect” exposures. We built this business from those moments that mix of patience, experimentation, and real connection. 

So yes, we choose film. Even in a world obsessed with immediacy. To be honest with you, I have raging ADHD. You’d think … Dominique, wouldn’t that make you impatient? Wouldn’t digital be easier? And you’d be right. But that’s exactly why I choose film. Film challenges me. It slows me down. It demands presence. And honestly, being grounded and present was something I struggled with at weddings before I started shooting film. Film forced me to breathe, to wait, to see … not just shoot. It’s not about chasing perfection. It’s about chasing feeling. TLDR: Shooting film made me a better photographer.

What It Feels Like to Work With Wedding Film Photographers: 

We don’t do stiff. We don’t do pressure. What we do is create space for you to breathe, be yourselves, and forget the camera is even there. We guide when needed and disappear when it counts. We build your timeline so that nothing feels rushed. Previews hit your inbox within a week. The full gallery? Delivered in eight. We’re not for everyone … and that’s okay! We’re for couples who want honesty over perfection and want their wedding day to be documented like it actually meant something. 

Our couples say things like:

“Dominique was the type of professional that just gets you and puts you at ease. She understands the bigger picture and the vibe, while Javi secretly catches the sweet, innocent moments you’d never expect to grab your heart in a tight squeeze when you see them.” – Christina & Christian

“If you love film, if you love authenticity, and being supported in feeling your best HIRE THEM!!! They held the tender moments and were cheerleaders for the ones to come.” – Sharon & Emily

“My husband and I are camera shy, but they made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera. The happiness and love we felt on our wedding day radiates from the images. Multiple guests commented on how unobtrusive and inconspicuous they were, yet they somehow captured every single moment.” – Shawna & Justin

“I spent the whole wedding planning process reminding myself that I can’t compare photos from our “regular” wedding to the styled shoots and ultra-expensive weddings I see in Pinterest and Instagram posts… but now, after seeing our wedding photos, I look at Instagram and Pinterest and (I know I’m biased but) I find myself thinking those photos don’t look as good as ours!” – KC & Evan 

“They traveled for our engagement in Miami and our elopement in Chiang Mai. Every detail  from the Super 8 to the Film Photography to the Polaroids was beautiful.” – Amanda & Manny

Whatever misconceptions you have about film being risky? Check those at the door lol.

So, let’s clear something up: film is only risky if the people shooting it don’t know what they’re doing. Luckily for you… we do. Even if you’ve heard that film is risky or slow, here’s the deal… good things take time, but that doesn’t make them unreliable

I’m also convinced you heard that from someone who probably shot film once and didn’t put in the effort of ever shooting it again. In the 10 years I’ve photographed weddings, I’ve never had a blank roll of film. I’ve had more issues with digital gear because, let’s be real, digital is built to break. Film cameras? Built to last.

That’s why people are still out here using cameras from the ’60s and ’70s and producing the same quality work. Which is why film is timeless. The quality has been consistently epic for decades And like any solid team, YES of course we carry backups. Backup film, backup cameras, backup everything y’all. Because the truth is, film isn’t risky … inexperienced photographers are.

Why We Do This Work

Javi and I do this work because every wedding is different. We know how easy it is to feel like the wedding industry wants you to fit into a formula. That your love has to look a certain way, your dress has to be a certain style, your timeline has to fit a template. But the truth is: we’ve never photographed the same wedding twice. Not once. Not even close. Every couple brings their own energy, their own story, their own way of moving through the world. That’s what makes your photos special. Not the venue, not the styling …. you. 

So no, we can’t promise your photos will look just like someone else’s. Because we’re not here to carbon copy. We’re here to see and document your story and reflect that in every frame. If you’re looking for a wedding film photographer who gets the beauty in the mess, the magic in the in-between, and the weight of what this day means we’d love to hear your story.

Reach out through our contact page or take a peek at our services for more info <3

WOW okay, this was a massive exercise in executive function, and if you made it this far thanks for taking the time to do so. You’re a real one. If you’re in the mood for some more educational film content, go take a look at our post about WHY IS FILM SO EXPENSIVE?!?! EXPLAINED!!!

With love and joy,

Dominique ( and Javi )