Los Angeles Film Wedding Photographer
・for small and micro weddings & courthouse elopements in southern california・
I’m David Cruz (The Drunk Wedding Photographer), politically incorrect Oaxaca native, Mezcal and street taco connoisseur named the best 35mm film wedding photographer in L.A. by my Grandma.
✨ published in ✨
The White Wren・Bold Journey・Shoutout L.A.・Grays of Westminster・Nikon Owner・Voyage L.A.・Canvas Rebel
simple analog photography for young creative daydreamers who do everything in life but nothing on rainy afternoons
I’m Not for Everyone
There is an inherent beauty of being able to say that I am not for everyone. Because I believe in simplicity, aligning well with couples who value the elegance of an intimate, non-traditional small wedding with a low guest count.
Allowing me to spend my limited time with clients creating wholesome photos as newlyweds with their friends and family and not on overly complicated epic poses or time-consuming magazine layout details. Creating photos Grandma will be happy to print and proudly showcase in her home.
And if you believe in writing your own vows and in sharing life’s simple moments over tacos, then perhaps I might be for you. Because in the end, life is about the experiences we share and the memories we create with those around us regardless of how mundane or insignificant they may seem to others. After all, if we can't talk shop over a bottle of Mezcal, why are we even here?
Simplicity has always been the secret to everything. — Marco Pierre White
Simple Pricing for 2025 Los Angeles Weddings
Film wedding photography coverage begins at $2,500
Outdoor weddings are photographed on 35mm film
Booking includes online gallery + 4x6 print proof set
View full client galleries here ☞ the print shop
FAQs and my collaboration process ☞ here
why?
Because we’re all going to die, and for most of us, the only two times everyone we love gathers in one place are at a wedding or a funeral. And if there’s one thing, I’ve learned from owning chickens this past year, is that life is short-lived. Watching them live their best, but brief little lives made me realize how precious each mundane moment is. Some of us aren’t here for very long either. So, when it comes to photographing weddings, I don’t overcomplicate things.
My photos are nothing more than glorified snapshots, though I prefer to call them vignettes—a simple documentation of who you were in that moment. Some might call them basic, and I don’t blame them. But if shows like Love and Lovesick, movies like Beginners, and years of writing in-depth essays on Día de los Muertos have taught me anything, it’s this: Keep it simple. It’s not about taking epic photos for social media clout. It’s about preserving the everyday—the quiet, honest moments we end up treasuring long after the person in the picture is gone.
Because in the end, those simple snapshots are all we have left to hold on to.
Client Thank You Notes
Cielo Farms | Malibu, CA
You completely outdid yourself and were right about the prints, there was something magical about them. Presentation was gorgeous. Thank you.
Jardín Etnobotánico | Oaxaca, Mexico
Thank you for flying in for our destination wedding with a Mezcal cocktail on one hand and we’re so happy to have physical photos from our day.
Carondelet House | Los Angeles, CA
The photos are seriously amazing. You totally went above and beyond printing and presenting them the way you did. Thank you!
The Hummingbird Temple | Los Angeles, CA
Our photos turned out beautifully. Lee and I are thrilled with our photos. Thank for being mindful of even the smallest of details throughout the day.
Vasquez Rocks | Agua Dulce, CA
We are absolutely in love the photos you took of our elopement. Thank you for being very patient with us and for the easy to follow directions.
Downtown City Hall | Los Angeles, CA
We’re speechless but filled with so much love. You were right on waiting to hold the actual photos, there was something so magical about that. Thank you.
Our pictures are incredible David!
We really appreciate how you listened to our ideas and collaborated with us. Your creativity and open collaboration made the whole experience so enjoyable.
We loved how you listened to our input and worked with our ideas, making us feel like real actors in our own little 60's movie. The prints are beautiful and the perfect bow to wrap up the whole experience. The grain in the real black and white film you used makes the photos look like stills from a classic movie, which we absolutely adore.
Thank you for your simple, direct styling directions that were easy to follow. We’re both looking forward to collaborating with you again!
— David + Taylor →
David - YOU ARE AMAZING!
We are completely taken away by these photos and the video!!! You are truly something special and you captured our day perfectly.
Thank you so much for everything!! You completely outdid yourself and we will forever be grateful for you. Trayer and I both immediately cried when we started watching the video. We are still speechless but filled with so much love. You were so right about waiting to hold the actual photos, there was something so magical about that. The presentation was gorgeous and we are so happy to have the physical photos.
You are such a kind and generous person! You went the extra mile and it is unlike anything we could have imagined. Thank you so much and we really hope to work with you again! Not another wedding of course!!
So much love! xx
— Los de la Torre →
There’s a lot of beauty in ordinary things. Isn’t that kind of the point? — Pam Halpert
Analog Film Wedding Photography: A Perfect Marriage for Minimalist, Simple Weddings
Why I Use 35mm Film to Photograph Weddings in Los Angeles
Film wedding photography, or analog photography, involves photographing moments on real 35mm film, using classic cameras like the Nikon F3. This style is popular among young creatives who appreciate a simple, nostalgic aesthetic that stands apart from digital photography’s perfection. With its timeless grain and vintage charm, 35mm film produces one-of-a-kind tangible photographs that evoke a romantic, dreamy feel. It’s why this format has remained in vogue even after digital went mainstream several years ago.
For those of us in Los Angeles, 35mm film is the epitome of simplicity, like an In-N-Out burger—uncomplicated, simple, and timeless. Analog photography is a choice that draws people in with its understated beauty, using natural light to create neutral tones without the artificiality that quickly date today’s trends. And amidst elaborate, overly polished "viral-ready TikTok weddings," analog wedding photography holds its own by celebrating the authentic and meaningful, appealing to those who prioritize simple, timeless memories over spectacle.
Trend is a dirty word. — Anna Wintour
Practical Wedding Planning Advice
Wedding Venues for Small and Micro Weddings in Los Angeles
A practical guide to the permit costs for a Beverly Hills Courthouse wedding.