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’s an inherent beauty in being able to say that I’m not for everyone. Because I believe in simplicity. Aligning well with those who value the elegance of a simple, intimate, non-traditional small wedding.
This allows me to focus my limited time with clients creating wholesome photos as newlyweds together with their friends and family, rather than on complicated, epic poses or time-consuming, magazine-style details. Photos Grandma will proudly print and showcase in her home.
I don’t cater to wedding planners, magazine editors, or chase awards and sponsorships. I’m here for you. And if you believe in writing your own vows and sharing life’s simple moments over homemade food paired with a good bottle of wine, then perhaps I might be for you. Because life is about simple experiences and memories, we share with those we love, no matter how mundane those moments seem to others.
I’m not here to take trendy wedding photos for social media clout—I’m here to collaborate with you on this one day in your life when most of your favorite people will be together in one place. Because for some of us, the only two times most of our loved ones will be together in the same place will be at a wedding or a funeral. And these quiet, honest moments we treasure will be all we have left to hold onto long after the person in the picture is gone.
Simplicity has always been the secret to everything. — Marco Pierre White
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.
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, means taking pictures on 35mm film, using legacy cameras like the Nikon F3, F5, and the N75. A style popular among creatives who appreciate a simple, nostalgic aesthetic that stands apart from digital’s perfection. With its timeless grain and vintage charm, 35mm film produces one-of-a-kind tangible photographs evoking a romantic, dreamy feel. It’s why this format has remained in vogue well 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 and simple. Analog photography draws people in with its understated beauty, using natural light to create neutral tones without the artificiality that quickly date today’s trends. Amidst elaborate, overly polished "viral-ready TikTok wedding trends," analog 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.