Film photography and Super 8 videos have quietly become the go-to options for modern-day romantics. Just a few grainy, light-soaked frames can add an irreplaceable depth to your wedding gallery, making it nostalgic, emotive, and impossibly beautiful. 515 Photo Co., the creative collective led by Mike Caringi, brings a modern sensibility to this vintage craft, capturing meaningful celebrations with depth and soul. From intentionality to raw beauty, here’s why 515 Photo Co. loves working with film, and why it could be the most poetic way to preserve your day.
A Timeless Aesthetic
There’s something inherently romantic about the way film captures light—soft, glowy, and impossibly dreamy. 35mm renders skin tones and landscapes with a painterly quality that digital just can’t imitate. The texture, the grain, the warmth—it all adds up to a feeling that’s both elevated and effortless. Film doesn’t chase trends, it lives outside of them. Decades from now, your images will still feel just as timeless as they did the day they were taken.
Built-in Nostalgia
Film has a beautiful way of making a moment feel like a memory—even as it’s unfolding. There’s a deep sense of emotion in the medium itself, something that echoes old family albums and love letters. Looking at a film photo can feel like holding a piece of the past, even when it’s brand new. It’s the kind of nostalgia you can’t fake. It just is.
Intentionality in Every Frame
Shooting film requires presence. Each frame is finite, which means we slow down, observe more, and press the shutter only when something truly matters. There’s a quiet magic to that process—less about volume, more about meaning. What results is a refined, thoughtful gallery of images where every photo earned its place. No duplicates, no filler—just the real, beautiful heart of your day.
Color Tones That Feel Like Art
Film handles color in a way that’s both natural and cinematic. Think warm, glowy skin, lush greens, and sun-soaked golden hours that feel straight out of a movie. Highlights bloom softly, shadows are rich—not harsh. It’s a palette that loves natural light and brings out the best in every detail. If you’re drawn to imagery that feels editorial yet soulful, film delivers.
The Beauty of Imperfection
In a world of overly edited images, film embraces imperfection in the most beautiful way. A little grain, a soft blur, a light leak—it all tells a story. These details add honesty and charm to your gallery, making it feel less curated and more lived-in. The photos feel like they really happened—because they did. That authenticity is priceless.
Physical Keepsakes That Last
One of the most overlooked gifts of film? The physical negatives. These archival pieces are tangible slices of your story—real, lasting, and forever yours. They can be printed, framed, or safely stored away like love letters from your wedding day. Unlike digital files that may get lost or forgotten, film is something you can hold. And one day, so can your children.
The Case for Super 8
Super 8 film captures motion the way 35mm captures stillness—with heart. Its soft flicker and vintage charm create a highlight reel that feels like a love story unfolding in real time. It’s not about perfect coverage—it’s about the feeling: champagne toasts, wind in your veil, your partner’s smile as you walk toward them. It’s short, sweet, and cinematic, often just a few minutes long, but it brings you right back. Paired with digital video or photo, Super 8 adds a layer of magic that’s utterly unforgettable.
Videography: 515 Photo Co.
