San Diego Film Photographer
There’s something about film that digital can’t quite replicate. The texture, the color, the movement, the imperfection—it gives photographs a quality that feels both nostalgic and alive.
As a San Diego film photographer, I photograph weddings, elopements, couples, and portraits on both 35mm and medium format film. My approach is relaxed and observational, with direction when you need it and space for the real moments to unfold naturally.
FILM PHOTOS THAT FEEL
NOSTALGIC AND ALIVE
Add Film to Your Photography Coverage
Film add-ons are available for weddings, elopements, and portrait sessions.
You can add 35mm and medium format film to your digital photography coverage, giving your final gallery a mix of digital images and the texture, color, and character of film.
The amount of film can be tailored to your coverage and how much of your day you’d like photographed on film. I use film intentionally throughout the experience—during portraits, candid moments, details, and anywhere the light and energy of the moment lend themselves naturally to it.
Why Film?
01 / DEPTH
Film captures light differently. The result is rich color, natural skin tones, and images that feel layered and dimensional.
02 / INTENTION
With a limited number of frames, every photograph is made deliberately. Film encourages presence over perfection and moments over quantity.
03 / TIMELESSNESS
Trends come and go, but film has a way of feeling both nostalgic and current. The photographs feel just as beautiful years from now as they do today.
Weddings & Elopements on Film
Film can be incorporated throughout your wedding or elopement alongside digital photography, giving your final gallery a mix of polished digital images and the distinct character of 35mm and medium format film.
Whether you're planning a wedding in San Diego, an intimate coastal elopement, or something completely your own, the goal is the same: photographs that are artful without making your day feel like a photoshoot.
Throughout a wedding day, I use film intentionally alongside digital. I might reach for it during getting ready, portraits, quiet moments between the two of you, cocktail hour, or once the reception gets a little chaotic. I’m looking for the moments where the texture and character of film will add something to the photograph rather than shooting it simply for the sake of shooting film.
I photograph with both 35mm and medium format, choosing between them based on the light, environment, and moment in front of me. Some frames are quiet and intentional, while others are full of movement, blur, grain, and energy.
Paired with digital photography, film adds another layer to your final gallery and gives you a collection that feels varied, artful, and alive.
Where I photograph weddings
As a San Diego wedding photographer, I photograph weddings on both digital and film throughout San Diego and Southern California, including La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, Carlsbad, and the surrounding areas.
I’m also available for weddings throughout California and select destination weddings. If you’re planning a wedding outside of San Diego, reach out for availability and travel details.
For couples looking specifically for the texture and character of analog photography, explore my San Diego film wedding photography offerings, including film + digital wedding coverage and film engagement sessions.
About Lauren
I’m Lauren, a San Diego film photographer drawn to photographs that feel natural, artful, and a little imperfect.
I photograph weddings, elopements, couples, and portraits on both digital and film, with an approach that leaves room for you to actually enjoy the experience. I’ll step in with direction when you need it, but I’m just as interested in the moments that happen without any direction at all.
Film is one of my favorite ways to document those moments. I love its texture, unexpectedness, and the way it turns an ordinary moment into something that already feels like a memory.
Read the journal
Film Photography Pricing investment
Film wedding photography with Lauren Mecum Photography is available for weddings and engagement sessions in San Diego and throughout Southern California.
Film can be added to any wedding photography collection, with film add-ons starting at $400 for three rolls.
For couples who want both film and digital photography throughout their wedding day, the Film + Digital wedding collection starts at $5,300 for eight hours of coverage. Film engagement sessions are available for $800.
Film is professionally developed and scanned, and the final film photographs are delivered alongside your digital images in an online gallery.
The full wedding photography pricing guide, including film photography options, is available when you inquire.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. Film photography can be added to any wedding collection and is available for weddings throughout San Diego, Southern California, and destination celebrations. I photograph on medium format film to create timeless, artful images with beautiful color and depth.
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Most weddings are photographed using a blend of digital and film photography. I often reach for film during portraits, candid moments, detail photographs, and throughout the natural flow of the day when I want to create images with a little more depth, texture, and feeling. Using both mediums allows me to document your wedding comprehensively while incorporating the timeless quality that makes film so special.
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The number of film images varies depending on the collection you choose and the flow of your wedding day. Rather than shooting film to meet a specific quota, I use it intentionally for moments that benefit most from its unique look and feel—portraits, candid interactions, details, and the in-between moments that help tell the story of your day.
Most couples can expect anywhere from 50–150+ film images woven throughout their final gallery, creating a seamless blend of film and digital photography.
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The cost of film photography depends on the type of session, amount of coverage, and how much film is included.
My wedding photography collections begin at $3,500, with options to incorporate 35mm and medium format film into your coverage. Elopements begin at $1,800, and film photography can also be added to portrait and couples sessions.
If you’re looking for a San Diego film photographer, reach out for current pricing and availability.
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Yes! Film can be added to any engagement session and is one of my favorite ways to document couples. The organic colors, soft tones, and timeless quality of film create images that feel both nostalgic and true to life.
I typically use a blend of medium format and 35mm film throughout the session, incorporating it alongside digital photography to create a gallery that feels cohesive, romantic, and full of personality.
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Film captures light, color, and texture differently than digital photography. The result is imagery with rich tones, natural grain, and a timeless quality that feels both nostalgic and enduring. Many couples are drawn to film for its organic, artistic appearance.
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Yes. While I am based in San Diego, I photograph weddings and engagement sessions throughout California and beyond. Travel is available for destination weddings, weekend celebrations, and intimate elopements.
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For couples who are drawn to timeless, artistic imagery, film photography can be one of the most meaningful additions to a wedding gallery. Many couples love the rich color, natural grain, and nostalgic quality that film brings to their photographs.
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Unlike digital photography, every roll of film has a tangible cost associated with it. In addition to purchasing the film itself, each roll must be professionally developed and scanned by a specialized lab before the images can be delivered. These additional costs are what make film photography an investment, while also contributing to the distinctive quality and character that many couples love.
