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Los Angeles Film Wedding Photographer

for small weddings & elopements in southern california

 

David Cruz The Drunk Wedding Photographer

I’m David Cruz (The Drunk Wedding Photographer), politically incorrect Oaxaca native, Mezcal & street taco connoisseur named the best film wedding photographer in Los Angeles by my Grandma.

✨ published in ✨

The White WrenBold JourneyShoutout L.A.・Grays of WestminsterNikon OwnerVoyage L.A.・Canvas Rebel



simple analog photography for 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

Vasquez Rocks Elopement
Los Angeles Wedding Photographer
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Zapopan
 

client testimonials

 

Malibu, CA
David, you completely outdid yourself for our wedding at Cielo Farms and will forever be grateful. You were so right about the prints, there was something so magical about that. Presentation was gorgeous and we are so happy to have the physical photos. You are such a kind and generous person!

Oaxaca, MX
The Drunk Wedding Photographer flew in from Los Angeles for our destination wedding in Oaxaca with a 35mm film camera on one hand and a Mezcal cocktail on the other. Glad we booked him for our wedding because our friends get lit and needed someone to keep up with them.

Agua Dulce, CA
David is a minimalist. We are absolutely in love the photos he took of our wedding in Vasquez Rocks on analog 35mm film. He was very patient and give us easy to follow directions. His work is beautiful and clean, and these are some of my most cherished captured moments that we have.

 

There’s a lot of beauty in ordinary things. Isn’t that kind of the point?Pam Halpert

Booking Info for 2024 Weddings

  • Film wedding photography coverage in L.A. begins at $6,500

  • Outdoor weddings are photographed on 35mm film

  • Booking includes online gallery + 4x6 print proof set

  • And you view full client weddings here

 
 

FAQ

  • If your wedding or elopement is outdoors during daylight hours, then yes, most of the wedding will be photographed on 35mm film. However, after sunset or in indoor moody lighting, I might switch over to digital. My job is to take pretty photos of you regardless of camera, time of day, lighting situation or if I’m tipsy or not.

    That said, I do use film indoors in certain lighting conditions as well. However, your venue will play a far more significant role on how I’ll photograph your wedding. But that’s where my expertise of using film since 2002 kicks in. As well as trusting my life to my exceptional lab tech team in L.A. who process and scan all my film one frame at a time.

  • I’m the one who shows up. That’s why I only book small weddings, micro weddings, elopements and backyard weddings to not rely on associate and second photographers. Open and clear communication is very important to me as well, so I’m the one you email, call and eventually meet, always.

  • These days, most photographers provide elite-level quality photos with an exceptional client experience. And to be honest, everyone charges about the same so you really can't go wrong with anyone. That said, if your heart is set on booking a film wedding photographer, know that most photographers use film as a marketing ploy and offer it as an additional add-on or worse, as a digital preset inspired film look.

    On the other hand, I photograph the entirety of a wedding on 35mm film, light permitting of course. Lastly, instead of delivering an uneventful digital download of your photos as is standard in the industry, I deliver a complete set of 4x6 prints to your doorstep that you will hold in your hands for the rest of your life and pass down to your children. Some wedding photographers might send you a handful of prints, if at all.

    And I do this because Guillermo del Toro calls owning physical media a responsibility. And to quote Christopher Nolan on owning physical media, "so that no evil streaming service can come steal it from you." That said, I recommend you take a weekend to read over my many reasons why I deliver prints as standard here: Why Printing Your Wedding Photos is the Ultimate Luxury

  • Absolutely internet stranger! I have photographed several confidential weddings in L.A., and I have no hang ups on not using your photos for promotional purposes. This explains why I don't have many photos throughout the site, and why some photos feature no faces.

Film Wedding Photography: The Perfect Marriage for Minimalist Non-Traditional Small or Backyard Micro Weddings and Elopements


Micro weddings are defined as personalized events with a limited guest list offering a unique and unforgettable experience while retaining quintessential wedding elements. However, having an intimate small wedding or even an elopement, shouldn’t mean compromising when booking a photographer.

 
 

In recent years, booking a film photographer has been a vogue choice for creative couples wanting to celebrate their nuptials in a more low-key setting. Because analog photography creates soft one-of-a-kind grainy and timeless dreamy images evoking feelings of nostalgia, while adding a vintage charm with an elegant look highly valued for its unique aesthetic. A look that is instantly recognizable and will never go out of fashion. It’s why your favorite movie was probably shot on film too. And with the rise of digital presets, it's easy to have your wedding look like any other you see on Instagram. Making film a perfect choice for couples looking for something unique, intimate and romantic. And this inherent quality creates a tangible beauty that speaks to us emotionally and remains classically beautiful because it’s not molded by today's fads.

Despite the rise of digital photography however, film has retained its timeless and romantic quality, a look highly sought after by creative wedding clients. Leading to an increase in demand for wedding photographers who specialize in analog photography. Because film captures light with a nostalgic imperfect beauty reacting differently depending on the abundance of light available throughout the day. Lastly, being a film wedding photographer is the epitome of working with your hands on a skillful, practical trade because film is real and it must be printed. Granting clients, the luxury of holding something tangible in their hands years after their wedding day, overwhelming the senses of re-discovering a box of old prints in an attic or closet reliving moments from the past that have slipped through our hands like water.

Trend is a dirty word.Anna Wintour

Los Angeles: A Love Story on Film

in the city of angels

Beverly Hills Courthouse
Downtown L.A.

L.A.

has long captured the imaginations of people around the world, appearing in some of the most iconic moments in cinema and television pop culture history. To many, the city of angels has become a character in its own right, that even with the sound turned off, the palm tree-lined streets of Los Angeles are instantly recognizable with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, and iconic landmarks like the Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, Beverly Hills Courthouse, L.A. City Hall, Pasadena City Hall, and the bohemian vibes of Malibu beach.

Los Angeles embodies a lifestyle associated with sun-kissed beaches, glamorous parties, and daily opportunities for adventure. Perhaps it’s why people across the country and around the world are drawn to the idea of L.A., seeing it as a place where dreams come true and where the possibilities for self-expression are endless. And because L.A. has long been synonymous with cinema, it’s only fitting to capture the love stories of those who call it home on 35mm film. From the iconic architecture of Downtown L.A. to the rugged landscapes of the Santa Monica Mountains, the city of angels embodies a sense of timeless magic that can only be captured on analog film. An allure that has gone beyond its cinematic reputation.

Practical Wedding Planning Advice