Los Angeles Film Wedding Photographer
for small weddings in southern california on 35mm film
I'm David Cruz, Los Angeles wedding photographer specializing in 35mm film wedding photography exclusively on Kodak 35mm film — from backyard ceremonies in Pasadena to courthouse elopements in Beverly Hills, and small weddings throughout Southern California.
✨ published in ✨
Rock n Roll Bride・Boho Weddings・Bespoke Bride・The White Wren
Los Angeles Wedding Photographer for Creative Daydreamers
who do everything in life but nothing on rainy afternoons
I believe in simplicity. A quiet approach to taking wholesome wedding pictures Grandma will proudly showcase in her home. Simple 35mm photographs on Kodak film of who you were on your wedding day, how the sky looked, the way your parents stood together in the garden, and ordinary colors unaware of living a memory. And if you believe in writing your own vows, in sharing life's simple moments over homemade food, and that the two times most of our family is together in one place are at weddings and funerals — and that these quiet moments are all we have left long after our loved ones are gone — then perhaps I might be for you.
Los Angeles Weddings Are Meant to Be Photographed on Kodak 35mm Film
We live in a time when everything is a disposable performative TikTok. Coffee rebrands every five minutes, and simple luxuries are reinvented for content. But the same way we go back to a greasy spoon because the food tastes exactly as it always has, or because someone we love sat across from us, some things never change. We return to things because they're familiar and nostalgic.
And some things, like weddings, don't need to change or be reinvented, because despite what out-of-touch influencers want us to believe, weddings have always been about grandma holding her purse in every picture, mom telling you to smile every five minutes, and dad pretending he's not crying.
Weddings are inherently meaningful precisely because they're familiar, imperfect, sentimental, and deeply human — and I believe Kodak 35mm film documents this feeling better than anything else designed around viral trends. Because weddings are not supposed to feel like content. They're supposed to feel like memories — and Kodak film was made for memories.
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I'm a film wedding photographer, first and foremost. And when I say film wedding photography, I mean actual 35mm film — Kodak Gold, Kodak Ultramax, a Nikon F5, and the occasional expired roll of whatever I've decided deserves a place in the camera bag. There's no digital filter trying to imitate the look afterward. The negative is the photograph.
That's what makes 35mm film wedding photography different from simply giving digital photographs a film-inspired edit. The limitations are real: every frame costs something, I can't chimp the back of the camera, and I have to pay attention before I press the shutter. But those limitations are also what make the process work for the kind of weddings I photograph. I'm looking for the little things that will still matter twenty years from now — your dad fixing his shirt before the ceremony, your grandmother eating cake, your friends smoking outside after dinner, or the way everyone looks when nobody realizes I'm taking their picture.
I take warm and simple photographs of people's actual lives — the kind of photographs that become family photographs. I photograph people whose weddings are expressions of their actual lives, rather than productions designed to resemble weddings on the internet. I photograph weddings for people who don't want their wedding to become a wedding-photo shoot. Because I believe simplicity is sophistication. And Kodak 35mm is how I approach that. It's why I use 35mm film to photograph weddings, because it's a practical, consistent tool that honors the subtle moments of a wedding. No firmware update required. Just the same Nikon F5 I've used for over twenty years, working exactly as it should.
I use film not because it's fashionable again, or because it's imperfect or unpredictable. No. I use film because I've been taking pictures on 35mm film since 2003. It's what I know, and I do it well. And while you can't always explain how film looks, you can feel it — drawing you in with its quiet beauty of tonal depth, speaking to those who value quiet memories over social media clout. Like an In-N-Out burger in Los Angeles: honest, consistent, and unpretentiously simple.
So if you're looking for a real analog wedding photographer in Los Angeles, that's exactly what I mean when I say I photograph weddings on film. It's not a vintage aesthetic package or a trendy add-on. It's simply how I have photographed weddings, friends, and family for over twenty years.
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Los Angeles is home base, I photograph small weddings throughout Southern California — from backyard weddings in Pasadena, courthouse elopements in Beverly Hills, and single venue multi-day weddings in the Central Coast. I photograph weddings in Los Angeles exclusively on Kodak 35mm film for clients who value the wedding as the occasion, not the identity. For clients who want analog pictures that look like them, not an Instagram ad or a Pinterest board.
A simple approach that attracts clients who cut a strawberry sheet cake from Phoenix Bakery in Chinatown because it's a family tradition. Clients who host a backyard ceremony in Silver Lake before walking to Mirate in Los Feliz for tacos, or tossing the bouquet at The Georgian lobby bar in Santa Monica because they didn't want to carry it home. Even a barber nurse duo client who hosted a simple three-day weekday wedding at Cavalli Estates in San Luis Obispo. Or the client who hosted an intimate ceremony at their parent's Pasadena estate with Italian sandwiches from Roma Market down the street.
From Hollywood industry types hosting backyard weddings in Eagle Rock to Los Angeles city officials whose multicultural family gathered for a 12-course dinner at NBC Seafood in Monterey Park after a small ceremony at Grapevine Arbor. My stubborn commitment to analog 35mm film wedding photography in Los Angeles has brought me into the lives of people who value family and simplicity over trends and spectacle — from a wedding planner choosing a Beverly Hills Courthouse elopement followed by late-night soju at Park's BBQ in Koreatown to a Cielo Farms heir and even Emma Robert's cousin, descendant of Mary Shelley who hosted a simple candlelit wedding at Carondelet House.
No matter who my client is, everyone is treated with the same level of respect in front of my Nikon F5. The same F5 I saw as a kid in The Lost World: Jurassic Park many years ago.
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Think of digital wedding photography as McDonald's and film wedding photography as your local hamburger joint with two flavors: the greasy spoon that's been around forever and serves the same menu it always has, and the expensive gourmet burger joint — you know which one I'm talking about.
Now, with McDonald's (digital), you know exactly what you're getting: consistency every single time, no matter which location you visit. It's always open, offers speedy service, and comes with the convenience of being available nearly anywhere you go. On the other hand, the local joint (film) — whether it's the old greasy spoon or the upscale steakhouse — usually has only one location. It may be more or less expensive, might not always be open, and often comes with longer wait times. And while the quality is absolutely there — because more of it is done by hand — the consistency varies from one place to the next.
In other words, film is more like every independent burger joint in town. Some are affordable neighborhood institutions. Others are expensive gourmet experiences. None of them are trying to be McDonald's because McDonald's gives you consistency. Independent restaurants give you something more individual but less standardized. Neither is inherently better than the other because both deliver a great burger. So, like most things in life, it really does come down to personal preference and what you value most in your burger experience... but in our case, how you want your wedding photographed.
Because 35mm isn't valuable because it looks old. It's valuable because your wedding will become old.
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Jennifer Render - Elle Render Events
As a Central Coast wedding planner, I've worked with many talented photographers, and David Cruz The Drunk Wedding Photographer truly stands out as a film wedding photographer. His timeless, romantic analog wedding photography is beautifully composed, with gorgeous tones and texture that make every image feel intentional, emotional, and iconic. He is always calm, organized, professional, easygoing, and genuinely kind, making him a dream to work with for weddings in San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, and throughout the Central Coast.
Paulina Simkin Piano
As a Juilliard-trained wedding and event pianist in Los Angeles, I met David Cruz at Carondelet House, where he was our client's film wedding photographer. His film photography has an intimate, in-the-moment quality, and his minimal presence allows couples and guests to enjoy the wedding while he quietly captures the most joyful moments. David is observant, patient, genuinely invested, and always anticipating the best moments, making him an incredible Los Angeles wedding photographer to collaborate with.
Chelsea de la Torre
Having grown up around hundreds of weddings at Cielo Farms in Malibu, we knew we wanted a laid-back, unconventional wedding, and David Cruz was the perfect Los Angeles wedding photographer for us. His analog photos on Kodak film completely documented our day with an elegant timeless, cinematic feel. And the beautifully presented physical prints were more magical than we could have imagined. David is incredibly kind and generous, went the extra mile, and gave us wedding photographs we will forever be grateful for.
Addie Ramonda
Choosing David as our Central Coast wedding photographer was one of the best decisions we made — he was collaborative, responsive, and took the time to understand exactly how we wanted our wedding day documented. His analog wedding photography beautifully preserved the pure, honest, timeless, joy-filled moments without ever pulling us away from our guests. He photographed everyone and bottled up all the love and joy of the day, and the beautiful presentation of our wedding prints made the experience even more special.
Christopher Park
We found The Drunk Wedding Photographer through Google and immediately loved David's Los Angeles roots, personality, and use of Kodak 35mm film, which was especially meaningful to us as people in the movie industry. We wanted natural candids, a few produced moments, and lots of family photos of our Center for the Arts Eagle Rock wedding — not the overtly posed, cheesy pictures we wanted to avoid — and David delivered exactly that. His 35mm film photography captured our backyard wedding authentically and beautifully, with prints that made the final experience even better.
Beverly Carreon
We had a wonderful experience working with David as our film wedding photographer for our Beverly Hills Courthouse wedding; he was kind, professional, calm, flexible, and made the entire process easy and enjoyable. He helped us navigate our City of Beverly Hills photography permit and captured our City Hall, courthouse, and Peninsula Beverly Hills portraits beautifully on 35mm film, including our beloved Boston Terrier, Zoey. Our wedding photos came out gorgeous, timeless, and romantic, and receiving beautifully packaged prints made the memories even more special.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Contrary to my goofy brand name, my clients will tell you I'm one of the most quiet, reserved, and collected wedding vendors there are. And while a drink or two or three is always very much appreciated, it's not necessary for me to drink at your wedding. But it sure does help, not gonna lie. Unfortunately however, some luxury venues in Los Angeles don't allow vendors to enjoy a drink from the bar anyway. What bunch of squares.
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My photography style is rooted in bright Los Angeles fine-art and editorial analog 35mm film wedding photography, with a fashion-forward sensibility and a timeless documentary instinct. Drawn towards the warmth and nostalgia of mid-century summer vacation photography, as well as sun-washed colors, and textures inspired by beautiful architecture of Spanish California, and Mexico. The result is an artfully cinematic and lived-in romantic California documentary, photographed with the intention and composition of a fashion editorial — what I call sunny editorialism.
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I'm a one-man show. I'm the one you inquire with, the one you call on Zoom, the one who shows up to your wedding, edits your pictures, and hand-inspects every print before delivery. Absolutely nothing in my workflow, or the pictures I take of you is automated, outsourced, or run through Ai. This level of attentiveness to each one of my clients is why I only book small weddings with a low guest count. Allowing me to photograph your wedding without relying on an associate, an assistant or even a second photographer.
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Deliverables
Whether you book me for a Beverly Hills Courthouse elopement or a three-day destination wedding at a private vineyard estate on the Central Coast, you will receive a full set of 4x6 proof prints of every final edited pictures as a standard deliverable. Not a curated set or a print credit. No. You will get every single final image in print, along with an industry-standard online gallery where you can view, download, and order additional prints.
Coverage Time
Unlike the industry norm of hour-based packages, my flat-rate pricing is based on your overall total guest count rather than a fixed number of coverage hours. So let's say you book me for a Beverly Hills Courthouse wedding. I know from experience that about 10 to 20 people usually show up and that it's roughly a 4-hour job when all is said and done. If you decide to have lunch or dinner afterward, I cover that as well if you want me to. Now say you book me for a single-venue wedding of around 50 to 80 guests. I'd clock in 30 minutes before your scheduled ceremony time and stick around until the party naturally dies down or we get kicked out of the venue at 10pm — unless there's a last-minute after-party. I never say no to late-night cheap beer and tequila shots at the local dive bar. Now, keep in mind that I am a one-man show, so I need to know if I can realistically cover your wedding on my own. Because a 20-guest wedding and a 250-guest wedding are not the same thing, even if the timeline is identical.
What's Not Included
In an effort to keep my rates competitive in this economy, the following are not included in the base price: getting-ready coverage, indoor religious ceremonies (my Nikon F5 and Nikon D700 are too dang loud), extensive bridal party pictures, and heavy catalog product-style detail pictures — such as table decorations, floral arrangements, lay-flat stationery, and similar setups that are created primarily for vendor promotional content. Now, keep in mind that there are only so many rolls of film I can carry at any given time, and I can't just walk into a 7-Eleven mid-wedding to pick some up like the olden days. So I'd rather use this finite resource to photograph you, your family, and your friends who traveled far and wide to be here with you.
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In Los Angeles, going from one end of the city to the other can feel like traveling through four or even five major U.S. cities combined! A multi-city road trip if you will. So, travel is basically part of the job for most Los Angeles wedding photographers. BUT! While I look forward to visiting new and familiar places, destination weddings that require me to fly out of Los Angeles are not practical — not because of the destination itself, but because flying with plastic bags full of 35mm film means dealing with strict airport Homegirl Saccurity Company and film-damaging X-ray machines.
Plus! Flying in 2026 is a headache right now — constant flight delays, fuel-crisis-driven cancellations, and Spirit Airlines closing shop the second you show up to the airport. Miss me with that.
That said, I do photograph multi-day destination weddings in the Central Coast, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Palm Springs, and even Taco Bell weddings in Las Vegas. Meaning! If I can drive to your wedding, I'm in — including driving out of state. See the pricing page for the current destination wedding rate, and note that the current rate does not include the car rental cost and a three-night stay near the venue, both of which are billed separately.
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If your wedding takes place outdoors during daylight hours, then yes, I will photograph the entirety of your wedding exclusively with my reliable, tank-like workhorse of a camera: the Nikon F5, loaded with real Kodak 35mm film. The same F5 I've used for more than twenty years. However! At night, I use the Nikon D700. Because while I make every effort to use film indoors and at night, the ambient light in your venue will ultimately influence how I photograph your wedding.
That said, some pictures are simply not technically possible on film regardless of available light. Beverly Hills City Hall is a prime example, where I use the Olympus E-M1 to photograph the entire building in one frame. Or when you exchange rings, where I also use the E-M1 from a considerable distance to not obstruct your guest's view with my chunky self. I approach weddings as a pragmatic professional service provider first, artist second.
Now, to be absolutely crystal clear, how I photograph a wedding is not what most wedding photographers call hybrid coverage in which both film and digital are used simultaneously, often taking the same picture twice on both formats. Or worse, advertise film coverage to then use one roll of film with all digital coverage with film aesthetic presets. A deceptive and performative practice all too common these days. My approach is strictly Kodak film all the way through until the sun goes down or the party moves indoors at night.
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I prioritize photographs according to their long-term emotional value of my client, rather than according to what traditionally fills a wedding photographer's portfolio or helps vendors market themselves. I believe wedding photography should not be obligated to reproduce the visual conventions of the wedding industry. In other words, I photograph the wedding, not the wedding industry.
Because I never saw the point of getting-ready photos, and I'm thankful my clients don't see the point of them either, because honestly, these pictures were invented to fluff up photographer's portfolios and wedding magazines at the turn of 2010. And if you ask me, I believe these moments should be reserved for you to experience in private, not for everyone to see. It's the same reason why I no longer photograph religious ceremonies, because that should be between my client's faith and God, not a camera crew.
Stop for a second and ask yourself: twenty-something years from now, which pictures will matter more? The one of foundation being applied to your face, or the one of you with grandma out in the garden? However! I do make exceptions if you want to recreate a getting ready picture from your parent's/grandparent's wedding. Just give me a heads up.
As for detail photos — flat lays, tables, floral décor, etc. — they mostly serve a vendor's portfolio, not you. So when a wedding planner or any other vendor insist these photos are taken, I recommend the vendor team bring their own photographer tbh. And I do this because I allocate the limited number of film I bring to photograph my clients' wedding, not for vendor promotion.
So I ask you again: what would you rather have? Thirty-six pictures of a table from various angles, or should we save that film for aunty who showed up last minute, the one you haven't seen in ages and might never see again. Now, that's not to say I don't photograph these details period. Far from it. But! I only photograph these details in context of how the day unfolds as part of the overarching narrative of your wedding. NOT turn it into a thirty-minute catalog look-book photoshoot to promote a wedding vendor's business.
In other words, I'm not missing the photographs you see in wedding blogs. I'm making a conscious decision not to build your wedding around them — and despite that, wedding publications have continuously been interested in the resulting work. My client's weddings have been repeatedly selected for publication because of simple documentary, client-first approach to photographing weddings.
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Absolutely internet stranger! I photograph a handful of confidential weddings in Los Angeles each year, and have no hang-ups on not using your pictures for social media or even my own website. Coincidentally, many of my clients are not heavy social media users, some are not even on social media at all, and their privacy, as well as yours, is more important to me than social media clout.
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