Ali and Riku’s Monday wedding at Hamilton Hoppin House was the kind of day that quietly reminds you why you do this work. A little rain in the morning. Cloud cover during prep. And then, just in time for the ceremony, the sky opened up and gave us sun.
This was a solo-shot wedding for me, which means I was photographing everything from prep to sparkler exit on my own. It’s a challenge I love taking on when the timeline flows smoothly, and this one really did.
Riku got ready upstairs with his groomsmen, while Ali and her friends filled the lower floor with that joyful hum of getting ready. Curling hair. Adjusting veils. Giving compliments. Just soaking in the moment.
Their ceremony was one of the most moving I’ve witnessed. Riku’s father officiated, weaving in Scripture and reflections about the two of them. Afterward, the day just unfolded. Pizza on the deck. Speeches full of heart. A live performance from Ali herself. And dancing that carried us into the night.
Driving up to Valley View Farm, I knew it was going to be a good day. The rain made everything feel calm and cinematic; mist rolled across the hills and softened the morning light. By the time we stepped out for portraits, the skies cleared just enough to give us a golden hour moment that felt like magic. From the quiet getting ready to signing the ketubah with loved ones nearby, Alane and Jon’s day was full of warmth. Their first look was honest and sweet; their ceremony was grounded and heartfelt. And one of the best parts they carved out a few slow minutes just for themselves before the celebration kicked off. We wandered the fields at sunset with horses in the background; the light was soft, the air was still. It was the kind of peace you hope for on a wedding day. Alane and Jon, thank you for letting me witness your kind of love. You two are what this job is all about.
John and Peter’s wedding unfolded on a misty September afternoon at The Masthead in Provincetown, a celebration that embraced the weather and turned it into something cinematic. Rain fell softly throughout the day, adding a layer of intimacy and calm that made every moment feel more alive.
The setting was simple but rich in character. Moody skies, wind-kissed dunes, and the historic charm of Provincetown framed a day full of emotion. There were tears, laughter, and heartfelt vows, all shared in the company of close friends and family who gathered to witness something real.
What stood out most was the joy. Even in the rain, there was light. Guests wrapped themselves in blankets, held each other close, and toasted to a love that felt grounded and full of heart.
It was a wedding that didn’t need perfection. It just needed people who cared deeply. And it had that in every frame.
When couples reach out, one of the first questions they often ask is: “Why do you shoot film?” It’s a fair question. Digital photography has been the standard for years, so why add film into the mix? For me, the answer goes back to where I started as a photographer, and it is woven into how I see, feel, and tell a wedding story.
My love for film photography started back in high school when I signed up for a film elective without really knowing what I was getting into. From the very first class, I was hooked. We learned black and white film from the ground up: loading rolls, carefully composing each of the 35 frames, and spending hours in the darkroom.
What captivated me most was the anticipation. With film, there is no instant preview. You have to slow down, really see before you click the shutter, and then wait until the negatives are developed to know what you captured. By senior year, I was so in love with the process that I bought an enlarger and chemicals off Craigslist to turn my bathroom into a makeshift darkroom.
So when I bring film into my wedding photography today, it isn’t because it is trendy. It is because it is part of who I am as a photographer.
Film has an emotional quality that is hard to describe but instantly recognizable. Growing up in the 90s and early 2000s, everyone had a little film camera. The excitement of picking up those prints after summer camp or a family vacation is the same feeling film still carries today.
Film has warmth, texture, grain, and imperfections that make each frame beautifully human. It feels timeless, like flipping through your parents’ wedding album. Digital images are crisp, fast, and abundant, but film images hits differently. Together, they balance each other. Digital captures everything, while film captures emotion in a way that is impossible to duplicate.
How Film Shapes the Way I Shoot
With digital, I can shoot quickly and capture moments instantly. With film, every frame matters. The limitations of film force me to slow down, anticipate, and choose my shots with intention.
That mindset mirrors what I want for my couples on their wedding day: the chance to slow down, savor, and be fully present. In a world that moves fast, film creates space to pause. It allows me to tell your story with more depth and mindfulness, giving you images that do not just show what your day looked like, but what it felt like.
Why I Shoot Both Film and Digital
I am a hybrid photographer. Digital gives me reliability, speed, and flexibility. It ensures every detail of your day is captured beautifully. Film, on the other hand, adds layers of nostalgia, texture, and surprise.
Film is not fail-proof, but that is part of its charm. Sometimes a frame has unexpected grain, or light leaks create something magical. Together, film and digital give you the best of both worlds: modern coverage paired with timeless artistry.
• Will I still get digital photos?Yes. Digital is still the backbone of your gallery, with film woven in as a complementary layer.
• Does film mean vintage filters?Not at all. Real film has a depth and character that filters cannot replicate. The way I shoot film creates images that feel authentic, not gimmicky.
• Will it slow things down too much?Film requires intention, but it will not drag out your day. I carry backup rolls, cameras, and batteries so I can switch seamlessly. If I pause you for a second, it is only to make sure the moment is captured beautifully.
Where Film Shines in New England Weddings
Film is not tied to a specific venue or weather forecast. It works anywhere.
Some of my favorite times to shoot film are during outdoor weddings on Cape Cod in the summer, at golden hour when the light is soft, or even on foggy New England mornings where the atmosphere feels cinematic. Whether it is Beacon Hill, the slopes of Vermont, a backyard farm in New Hampshire, the rocky coast of Maine, or the mansions in Rhode Island, film adds magic wherever love and light exist.
Couples’ Reactions to Film Photos
While I am not there when couples first open their scans, I see how they respond. It is almost always the film shots that get tagged, shared, or printed. Couples are drawn to them because they feel different: timeless, fun, unique, and deeply memorable.
Film photos tend to be the ones couples return to again and again, because they carry that extra layer of emotion.
Why Film Matters Years From Now
Your wedding is one of the only times in life when everyone you love is in the same place, celebrating together. Having photos of that day is always special. But adding film into the mix makes your gallery unforgettable.
Film images hold up over time, just like the ones in your parents’ albums. They are not trendy. They are timeless. Decades from now, they will still feel true to life. That is also why I edit my digital images with the same philosophy. No heavy filters. No gimmicks. Just honest, timeless coverage.
Film is one of the most beautiful ways I know to record your story. A medium that captures not only how your wedding looked, but how it felt.
If you are planning a wedding in Boston or anywhere in New England and want photography that blends the timeless beauty of film with the reliability of digital, I would love to connect. Let’s create something nostalgic, modern, and completely you.
Three years later, and I still think about this one.
Connor and Chris came down from Toronto to say their vows among the dunes of Provincetown. No venue, no aisle. Just the wind, the sand, and the sea. Connor is a graphic designer by trade, and it showed in every detail — from the intentional pacing of the day to the handmade bouquet she created herself. Nothing felt rushed. Nothing felt performative. It was personal, imperfect in the best way, and deeply beautiful.
The elopement took place barefoot under soft skies, with their closest family present. It was one of those days that felt like a page from a novel. Quiet, windswept, and full of heart. They climbed dunes in dress shoes and long skirts. They laughed a lot. They held hands the entire time.
This wedding had all the hallmarks of something timeless: a New England backdrop, the intimacy of chosen family, and a kind of meaning that can’t be staged. It reminded me why I do this work. To witness love in its truest form and document it with reverence.
Sarah and Pat got married at a private residence in Barnstable, Cape Cod, on one of the hottest days of the summer. It rained that morning, but by the time the ceremony began, the sun had broken through and everything felt fresh and alive. The celebration was tucked into a backyard surrounded by trees, full of laughter, music, and movement. Bridesmaids in floral dresses, a live band playing under the tent, and barefoot dancing on the grass. The heat didn’t matter — this wedding was all heart.
Nikki and Speros met me at Old Silver Beach just before sunset. The sky was soft, the breeze steady, and everything felt simple in the best way. We walked, we laughed, they danced barefoot in the sand. No pressure to be perfect. Just two people in love with the ocean behind them and the last bit of light pouring in.
Some sessions feel like a deep breath. This was one of them.
