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 note that only MARIELA currently offers film and digital packages within all travel areas listed on the website.

Our Team Member Lucia offers Film throughout Southern California, shooting with Mariela as a 2nd shooter or as a lead.

If you choose to work with our team member Jacob, your imagery will be available only in digital format.

I specialize in using traditional Film and Digital cameras to capture those quintessential moments. 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 uniquely evokes 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 distinguishing 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 full-frame 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.

FAQ’S

  • Yes! The two main areas I assist with during planning are location scouting/research and timeline building.

    I'm also happy to share vendor and accommodation recommendations and assist with permits when needed.

    I do not book services on your behalf or perform day-of duties like setting up decor, managing guests and vendors, coordinating supply pickups, etc. If you want someone to manage those tasks, I can send some excellent planner recommendations!

    *NOTE:- I focus on photography and rely heavily on my planner friends for large weddings (30 - 100 guests) on a full day.

  • Absolutely! If you're planning a larger wedding and love my style and approach, I’d love to hear from you. I offer larger wedding packages and rates. Let’s chat!

  • No, even the simplest elopements require much more planning and attention than a standard photo session. Your wedding day is so much more meaningful than that! In just an hour or two, you wouldn’t receive the full experience or the kind of wedding photos showcased in my portfolio. Your special day deserves the time and care to truly capture its magic.

  • No problem at all! I’ll help you pinpoint the perfect location as we work together. To book, all I need is your contract date and a general area or region (like Big Sur, Oregon, or Sedona etc).

  • 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 Digital 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. 

  • 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 you chose your location based on its identity, and it would be a disservice to change that look drastically in your photos. Keep your color palette selected in its most accurate form & capture all the pretty details, flowers, and added landscapes that will reflect your choices for your special day.

  • 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 & 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. Let’s Chat

  • First and foremost, I travel throughout California and states like Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, New Mexico, Seattle, and parts of Montana and most National Parks.

    My home is in Riverside, CA; Riverside County has much to experience and explore. It serves incredible landscapes, like Joshua Tree National Park, Palm Springs, Death Valley National Park, Big Bear Mountains, and much more. Numerous State Parks and National Parks exist throughout Southern and Northern California. I travel throughout California and beyond to photograph your elopement.

  • I like to pride myself in providing intentional time each couple deserves and needs. To best serve my couples and balance my life, I limit the number of weddings I take annually.

    Civil Ceremonies & Elopements generally happen during the week; therefore, I accept two - three civil ceremonies.

    Elopements - depending on location, might just be One or two a month, focusing on quality over quantity, giving my couples the best experience & imagery possible without exhausting myself. I also feel strongly about time with my family.

  • 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.

  • 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 or more, 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. 

  • Most of my California packages include travel and lodging.

    My travel fees will vary for out of the state of california travel. 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 do the driving if it's doable within 24 hrs!

  • 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/retainers and any money already put toward travel costs are non-refundable.

  • Heaven forbids this to happen, as it would only happen if it were out of my control (the act of God, illness, death, etc). Still, 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. 

  • 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.

  • Not to worry! We often hear this because most people aren't, so you're not alone! I can attest to this! Plus, I am not the photographer who wants you to look at me and smile. We like to find ways to create a fun and comfortable atmosphere. We'll play some music, or I'll be that silly person to get those natural smiles and authentic moments out of you both. You'll forget the camera was even there!

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.”

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We embrace every culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, language spoken, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and belief. We stand with you. You are safe here.