The Art of Film Photography for Luxury Destination Weddings
A black-and-white film photograph of a couple kissing behind a cluster of tall taper candles. The setting is architectural and refined, with sculpted white wall panels and soft, moody lighting. The bride wears elegant statement earrings and a voluminous gown, while the groom is dressed in a classic suit. The soft grain and candlelit haze evoke old-world romance and cinematic storytelling.
There’s something undeniably nostalgic about the soft grain of analog film—the way it renders light with a painterly softness, the slight unpredictability that makes every frame feel alive. In an era where digital reigns for speed and efficiency, film wedding photography offers something rare: intention. And for couples hosting a destination wedding in Italy or France, that kind of intentionality matters.
As a luxury wedding photographer who documents love stories across Europe, I’m often asked why I still shoot film. The answer is layered, much like the photographs themselves. It’s not about rejecting digital technology—it’s about choosing the medium that best reflects the couple’s story, the emotional tone of the day, and the aesthetic vision of the celebration.
Here’s why film wedding photography remains the most timeless and emotive way to capture your luxury destination wedding—and why it may be the perfect choice for your celebration in Italy or France.
Why Film Still Matters in a Digital World
In our visually saturated culture, digital images can sometimes feel too perfect. Too sharp. Too sterile. But film offers something different—depth, imperfection, soul. It’s the difference between a snapshot and a portrait.
Analog film vs digital photography isn’t about which is “better,” but which is more honest to the emotion of the moment. Film has a distinct way of preserving movement and light, especially in the golden Tuscan sun or the soft, diffused skies of the French countryside. There’s an atmospheric quality to film—an old-world charm—that mirrors the elegance of a destination wedding.
For high-end couples who have thoughtfully curated every detail—from the designer gown to the floral installations—film doesn’t just document the aesthetic. It elevates it.
The Feel of Film: Texture, Tone, and Timelessness
A voluminous ivory wedding gown rests on an ornate chair by the window inside Villa Astor. Soft daylight streams through the French doors, casting a romantic glow across the room. Captured on film, a subtle light leak adds dreamy color shifts along the edges, emphasizing the analog medium’s character and timeless beauty.
From the creamy skin tones to the warm highlights and true-to-life shadows, film creates a richness and depth that’s hard to replicate. Whether I’m photographing on Kodak Portra 400 at golden hour in Provence or using black and white Tri-X during a candlelit dinner in Lake Como, each roll tells a story with layers of texture and tone.
These are not just images. They’re heirlooms.
For me, shooting film is a way of slowing down—of being intentional with composition, light, and storytelling. It invites me to be fully present, which in turn allows my couples to feel more present too. There's no clicking through 500 images to get the "right one." Each frame is chosen with care.
When I Choose Film Over Digital
Most of the weddings I shoot are a blend of both film and digital photography. But film is always my first choice during the most emotionally resonant or visually poetic moments—getting ready in a historic villa, portraits in golden light, slow dances on a terrace overlooking the sea.
These two portraits—taken moments apart at Villa Astor—reveal the distinct beauty of film and digital. On the left, the film image carries a quiet depth, with soft shadows, organic grain, and a romantic warmth that evokes timelessness. On the right, the digital version renders the same scene with crisp clarity and editorial precision, highlighting every fold of the gown and the glow of the Amalfi Coast beyond. Both are beautiful in their own right—film feels like memory, while digital feels like presence—and together, they tell a fuller story of the day.
When I photographed a wedding at Villa Corsini in Florence, for example, I reached for my Leica M7 as the bride stepped into her gown beside a tall, Renaissance-era window. The way the light fell across her face, the quietness of the moment—it was made for film.
At another celebration in Puglia’s Masseria Moroseta, I used film to capture a candlelit dinner under olive trees, the flames flickering in the breeze, the laughter echoing off the stone walls. Those moments deserved to be captured in a medium as romantic as the scene itself.
Why Film Suits Luxury Destination Weddings
An outdoor ceremony setup at Villa Astor, captured in warm daylight. Ivory drapery cascades down the grand entrance steps, surrounded by gold candelabras and lush white floral arrangements. Tall potted palms frame the symmetrical architecture of the villa’s façade, exuding old-world grandeur and Italian elegance. The shadows of trees dance across the gravel, adding a romantic, sun-dappled atmosphere.
A luxury destination wedding is about more than a beautiful location. It’s about experience, emotion, and storytelling. You’re not just inviting guests to a celebration—you’re inviting them into a once-in-a-lifetime narrative.
Film wedding photography supports that experience because it feels intentional. Artful. Human. It invites your guests to slow down, and it adds an old-world beauty that aligns with the setting. Whether you're marrying in a château in Provence or along the cliffs of Positano, film matches the emotion of the environment.
Couples who work with me often have an eye for design. They choose thoughtful details—like hand-tied florals, heirloom jewelry, vintage menus, and custom calligraphy. These details deserve to be captured with the same care and permanence. Film doesn’t just document them—it transforms them into visual poetry.
Italy and France Through a Film Lens
As a destination wedding photographer in Italy, I’ve had the privilege of documenting weddings in Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, and Puglia. Each region offers its own story—rolling hills, coastal light, historic architecture—and film enhances all of it.
Italy’s warm tones and ever-changing skies make it an ideal setting for film. From sunrise portraits in Florence to sunset toasts in Capri, the natural light lends itself beautifully to analog photography. You’ll never regret seeing your wedding story told through this lens.
France, too, is breathtaking through film. The softness of the light in Paris, the romance of lavender fields in Provence, the charm of a French château—all are amplified by the tones of fine art film.
Whether I’m working as a destination wedding photographer in France or Italy, my goal is always the same: to create something timeless. Something you’ll still treasure 30 years from now.
Who Film Is For (And Who It’s Not)
Film is for couples who value art as much as documentation. If you're drawn to editorial beauty but want a gallery that also feels raw, emotional, and human—film delivers both.
It’s for those who embrace the slower pace. Who trust the process. Who understand that sometimes the magic is in the blur, the grain, the unexpected.
Film isn’t for everyone—and that’s okay. But for couples hosting elevated, design-led celebrations, it often becomes the most meaningful visual record of the day.
What You’ll Receive When You Work With Me
When you hire me as your fine art wedding photographer, film is always part of the conversation. It’s never an afterthought. It’s woven into the story from the start—whether for 20% of your gallery or the entire day.
You’ll receive:
A curated gallery of digital and film images that feel like editorial spreads from Vogue Weddings or The Lane
Scanned high-resolution film photographs (often Kodak Portra, Fuji 400H, and black-and-white stocks)
Candid, storytelling images that reflect how the day felt, not just how it looked
Thoughtfully composed portraits that celebrate the location, the emotion, and the design you’ve worked so hard to create
Film requires more care, more planning, and more patience—but the result is worth it.
Final Thoughts: Why I Still Shoot Film
A sweeping view of Villa Astor perched atop dramatic cliffs along the Amalfi Coast, bathed in the warm, golden light of late afternoon. The symmetrical neoclassical architecture stands out against lush greenery and rugged stone, with the Mediterranean Sea gently crashing below. This cinematic moment captures the grandeur and setting that make destination weddings in Italy unforgettable.
For me, photography has never been about just taking pretty pictures. It’s about connection. About presence. About creating something that feels eternal.
Film wedding photography gives me the tools to do that. It honors the emotional weight of the day while rendering it with softness and grace. It elevates the story—without ever making it feel staged.
If you're planning your wedding in Italy or France and you’re drawn to emotion-rich, editorial imagery, film may be the perfect fit for your day.
Let’s tell your story the way it deserves to be told.
Interested in learning more about film photography for your wedding in Italy or France?
Click here to inquire or explore more weddings shot on film over on my Instagram.
Venue @villa_astor
Planner @angiemaravalweddings
Executive Production team @wed_vibes
Concept @thc_planning
Photographer @suzyandersonxo
Videographer @jayandmack
BTS @alex.gaidashev
Content creator @sobridalsocial
Event design @pavlina.design
Florist @motifloral
Rentals @geg_party_service
Dresses @murashkaofficial
MUAH Artist Main couple @makeupfrankfurt
MUAH Artist Guest couples @elenagentilewedding
Stationery @ideadarte_weddinglab_official
Musical Duo @jaminthejukebox
If you’re planning a wedding in Italy or France and want it captured on film — I’d love to hear your vision.
