Frequently Asked Questions
Bringing on a photographer to document your wedding day comes with many questions you might not even know to ask.
The Best Of Both Worlds
Please take note that currently, only MARIELA is offering the Film and Digital packages. If you choose to work with a team member, your imagery will be available only in digital format.
I specialize in using both traditional Film and Digital cameras to capture those quintessential moments in life. From documenting elopements and small weddings to a limited number of large weddings, my services are available in California and beyond. However, wedding "film" photography has a unique ability to evoke emotions and a nostalgic feeling, requiring both technical expertise and an artistic eye.
My love for Film photography has always been my first love. While I have primarily shot weddings in digital format, I have introduced a seamless combination of Digital and Film photography that perfectly complements your wedding day photography coverage in recent years. and I get to shoot in film again, can’t beat that!
Choosing Quality
Film photos have a timeless feel that's soft and personal. They show amazingly accurate colors and textures that digital cameras can't replicate. When exposed well, the Film has a broader range of light and dark compared to digital cameras. The resulting photos have great detail, are not too dark or overly bright, and capture the natural texture of the moment. I am Photographing your wedding day with digital and Film cameras to create a balanced, memorable keepsake. The creatively edited digital imagery matches the processed Film for cohesive artistic imagery.
Why should you hire a Film & Digital Wedding Photographer?
Being Intentional
Digital cameras brought notable changes to wedding photography. Taking lots of photos quickly and reviewing them in an instant is helpful for fast-paced events, but it has also limited our creative process as photographers. Unlike film photography, each shot needs careful planning with light, camera settings, and composition. The film camera has a set number of frames per roll, so each shot is intentional & necessary. Using Film at weddings makes us think carefully to capture moments artistically. Which also allows us to slow down a notch and appreciate and focus on what's around and in front of us. This approach has also influenced how we work with digital cameras. After years of capturing fast-paced weddings and events, our familiarity with our cameras has become second nature. Knowing our cameras enables us to adapt to the pace effortlessly, swiftly adjusting camera settings for each desired shot.
Character
Film images are softer and romantic, creating a timeless charm that distinguishes them from digital photographs. While many resources exist to re-create the film stock in post-editing, it can look beautiful through digital processing on external editing programs. Film imagery has unique and authentic characters that digital imagery can't match. Editing Film in an external program like Lightroom or Photoshop is possible but limited, so we believe in getting right in-camera.
My Film Camera/s of choice
I use the Nikon F5, a 35mm Film SLR camera manufactured from 2004 to 2020. It gives the illusion of a DSLR. This particular camera allows me to work in a fast-paced environment and is claimed to be the best film camera ever made. I have one and a backup. I also use my F3, 35mm SLR. Both unique cameras produce beautifully distinct images with 35mm film with Nikon lenses.
What is “Mixed Film” wedding photography, and why should we consider it for our wedding?
I work simultaneously with “Mixed Digital and Film” formats. This approach combines the advantages of both worlds: using high-quality digital cameras to document all the special moments and important details and capturing wedding portraits and intimate moments with artistic integrity through film photography. Your day will encompass a beautiful, seamless culmination of moments captured Digitally and Filmatically.
WHAT FILM & DIGITAL EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE TO PHOTOGRAPH WEDDINGS & ELOPEMENTS?
I utilize Nikon digital and film cameras Nikon F5 SLR, Nilon D780, Nilon Z6 Mirrorless, paired with a collection of Nikor lenses that fit both digital and film cameras. my arsineal consists of: 50mm/f1.4, 105mm/f1.4, 24-70mm/f2.8, 14mm - 24mm/f2.8, and 70mm - 200mm/f2.8. This combination of lenses creates portraits & landscapes like no other, and the Niklon F6 is no longer manufactured.
HOW MUCH FILM WOULD YOU USE AT A WEDDING?
I can’t put a number on this, But for a digital and film package, we begin with 5 rolls of film. Every wedding is different, and there is never a set amount. You will receive much fewer film images than digital images; however, the artistic quality of the film images provides an altogether unique and elevated experience. We have developed packages that allow you to indulge in both Film & digital worlds, with many options for a custom package.
DO YOU OFFER BLACK & WHITE FILM?
Yes, we work with both color and B&W film, with requests for both.
HOW WILL WE RECEIVE THE FILM IMAGES?
In addition to the digital wedding images, you will receive the final high-resolution film scans in your gallery with your digital. Depending on the photography collection selected, you may receive a beautiful box containing a select number of matted film prints.
HOW MANY WEDDINGS/ELOPEMENTS DO YOU TAKE ON PER YEAR?
Typically, only 10 -12 weekend weddings. Providing intentional time each couple deserves and needs. To best serve my couples and balance my life, I must limit the number of weddings I take annually. Civil Ceremonies/ Elopements generally happen during the week; therefore, I accept two civil ceremonies/elopements per week but still focus on quality over quantity, giving my couples the best experience & imagery possible without exhausting myself. I also feel strongly about time with my family.
HOW DO PAYMENT SCHEDULES WORK?
I require a 30% retainer to secure your date on my calendar, and the final balance is due 30 days before your wedding date. A midway payment is scheduled to make it easier.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A PHOTOGRAPHER?
I have centered the past 15 years of my life around Wedding Photography, and I have loved every journey and new experience it’s taken me through. I strive to continue to grow and learn. The wedding industry has had me for over 11 years, being my full-time and loving job.
DO YOU HELP IN THE PLANNING PROCESS?
Absolutely! I am here to guide and provide as much support as possible for your elopement and intimate wedding needs. But I strongly recommend we bring a planner along to help with all the details.
For full-day Large weddings (50 - 150 guests), I focus on photography, and I rely heavily on my planner friends. I’ve shot hundreds of weddings. I know the industry pretty well! Let me know what you need help with, if you need recommendations, and if there’s anything I can do to make the process easier for you! If you are eloping or having an intimate wedding, I am more involved in the process, like helping with permits, finding your location, and sourcing other vendors, Schedules, timelines, and so much more. (Please ask me for my Elopement guide for more in-depth information on my elopements)
WHAT IS YOUR EDITING STYLE?
I don’t think I have a specific editing style. I pride myself on producing images that will not look "dated" in years to come. I've chosen to edit in a way that resembles Film lightly, keeping the colors and elements as close to their natural representation of what the environment looked like as possible. I am not a big fan of filters or significant color changes because I believe you chose your location based on its identity, and it would be a disservice to change that look drastically in your photos. I also believe in keeping your color palette selected in its most accurate form & capturing all the pretty details, flowers, and added landscapes that will reflect your choices for your special day.
HOW MANY PHOTOS DO YOU DELIVER?
I don’t have a specific amount I deliver to you. I typically edit and deliver every beautiful photo that meets my professional standards regarding digital imagery. For Film Scans, on a digFilm and Film package, I usually use 5-7 rolls per full-day wedding; your numbers will be considerably less than the digital. These are your memories, and I promise to capture them fully and give you more than enough images to remember this time in your lives.
WHAT EXACTLY IS INCLUDED IN YOUR WEDDING PACKAGES?
Every single couple receives my guidance. I give extensive photo planning advice, a custom photo timeline, vendor recommendations, and location-specific recommendations for Elopements or venue options, whether an outdoor adventure or a hike with an incredible wedding day experience. You will receive a gallery of high-res Digital Filmos & Film scans with printing rights (and accessible printing services straight from your gallery) to share with your besties, family, and whoever else might want to see, download, and print your wedding photos.
Depending on your collection, you may receive a beautiful box containing a select number of matted film prints.
WHEN WILL WE RECEIVE OUR FILM AND DIGITAL IMAGES?
While I pride myself on delivering digital images within 8-12 weeks of the wedding, video processing takes longer. The turnaround time for video is roughly 12-14 weeks after the wedding. With my limited amount of jobs per year, the turnaround depends on how much I shoot, how busy I am, my travel schedule, and the holidays.
WHERE ARE YOU BASED OUT OF? DO COUPLES EVER TRAVEL TO YOU FOR SHOOTS?
First and foremost, I travel throughout ALL of California and states like Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Seattle & parts of Montana and National Parks.
My home is in Riverside, CA; Riverside County has so much to experience and explore. It serves incredible landscapes, like Joshua Tree National Park, Palm Springs, Death Valley National Park, Big Bear Mountains, and so much more; numerous State Parks and National Parks exist throughout Southern and Northern California. I do not limit my travels; couples come to me, or I meet them. I travel throughout California to photograph your wedding, including San Diego County, Orange County, Tulare County, Monterey County, San Luis Obispo County, and beyond.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD WE REACH OUT TO BOOK YOU?
We book weddings up to a year and a half in advance, typically 6 -18 months before the wedding date. We book Elopements 3-6 months in advance, based on availability around our wedding schedule. That being said, I welcome “last minute” bookings. We would love to hear from you!
HOW DOES COVERING TRAVEL EXPENSES WORK?
My travel fees will vary. We take care of all. I will add the fee to the total cost of my package and arrange for flights and/or gas and booking myself. There are instances when flights or hotels need to be changed, and I don’t want my couples to worry about doing that for me. I love road trips, and we will most likely do the driving if it’s doable within 24 hrs!
WHAT IS YOUR REFUND OR RESCHEDULE POLICY?
If your date is subject to change, please let us know ASAP. A $500 rescheduling fee will be added to your new date. If your new wedding date falls on a date that we are no longer available, we will send a trusted team member in place of us. In the unfortunate circumstance of a complete cancellation, deposits and any money already put toward travel costs are non-refundable.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT TO OUR WEDDING
Heaven forbids this to happen, as it would only happen if it were out of my control (the act of God, illness, death, etc), but in this case, I would typically turn to my associate photographers & trusted photographers. I will do my best to help find a replacement photographer with a similar style to take the place I trust if none of my shooters are available. Although I’m not legally held to do so. If I can’t make it to your wedding and find you a replacement, your money will be refunded.
WHAT IF THERE’S BAD WEATHER?
I always encourage embracing whatever weather comes our way, as it’s beautiful and unique in photos. I don’t believe in bad weather! If it is harsh enough in your opinion that it would make for a shitty time at our shoot, then we can come to an agreed rescheduled time. If it’s a wedding day where a venue has been booked, then the odds of rescheduling are slim to none due to the venue’s policies. So we deal with the weather no matter the circumstances. I got you! If you cancel, the deposit & payments are legally non-refundable. A new deposit must be made to reserve your new date.
If you need further assistance or have more burning questions. please go ahead and reach out to me. by clicking on the box below, “I have more questions.”
Mariela Campbell Photography specializes in Film & Digital authentic and artistic wedding photography.
We welcome and celebrate diversity in all forms.
Focusing on visual storytelling through 35mm and digital formats. Our mission is to create honest and authentic imagery to share with your loved ones for future generations.
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