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Why I Shoot Weddings on My K3 Super 16mm Film Camera

As a Los Angeles wedding videographer and analog film enthusiast, one of the most common questions I get is: "What camera do you use, and why?"

Here’s the long answer, with all the gritty, nostalgic, and passionate details.

The Beginning: A Bolex and a Dream

Back in 2018, I was still primarily a still photographer, obsessed with 35mm film. But once I discovered that Super 8mm and Super 16mm motion picture cameras could capture 24 film frames per second, my world completely changed. I couldn’t believe it, actual motion pictures, frame by frame, on real film. That’s when the idea of becoming a Super 16mm wedding filmmaker first took hold.

I found a Bolex H16 (non-reflex) camera on Facebook Marketplace for a steal. The seller was kind, generous, and thrilled the camera was going to a good home. It even came with the original box and three expired rolls of Super 16mm film. Naturally, I had to give those rolls a try. I took them on a surf trip to the northern tip of Lake Michigan with my college friends, but when I sent them off to Spectra Film Lab in California from Duluth, Minnesota—I got the worst news: not a single image turned out because the film was too expired.

That moment could have ended my film journey. But I learned my lesson, and was determined to get it right.


See photo bellow of me with my old Bolex H16 Non-reflex super 16mm camera



First Success With 16mm Film

I picked up some fresh 16mm Kodak film and filmed around Duluth—beaches, friends, my boyfriend at the time, and our dogs. This time, the roll developed beautifully. [Click here] to see the very first successful 16mm film I ever shot. (don't judge, it was so long ago lol)


With that success under my belt, I asked a few of my wedding clients if I could experiment with a roll or two of Super 16mm film on their big day. They said yes—and were so excited! [Click here] to see my very first wedding test on Super 16mm film.


From Digital Hybrid to Full Analog

After successfully incorporating 16mm into 4-5 weddings (each still mostly digital with some 16mm highlights), I realized I needed a more reliable, reflex-capable camera. My non-reflex Bolex made focusing and composition a real challenge. Enter: the Krasnogorsk-3, or K3.

This Soviet-era Super 16mm film camera changed everything for me. I found a seller in Russia named Max who refurbished two K3 bodies with custom Super 16mm gates and EF lens mounts, so I could use modern glass. Best of all, these cameras are spring-wound—no batteries required. They feel like a mechanical symphony in your hands.

Here is a photo of me with my K3 super 16mm film camera.




Since then, I’ve shot weddings across California and beyond, becoming a go-to travel wedding videographer for couples who want something truly unique, timeless, and cinematic. Here are a few of my favorite wedding films shot 100% on analog Super 16mm and Super 8mm film:





Why It Matters

There’s something about analog film—especially Super 16mm and Super 8mm—that digital just can’t replicate. The grain, the texture, the soul. It’s real. It’s imperfect in all the right ways. As a Super 8mm wedding videographer and Super 16mm wedding filmmaker, I get to tell love stories with honesty, artistry, and that extra bit of magic that only film can bring.

If you're looking for a wedding filmmaker in Los Angeles, California—or anywhere in the world—who can deliver something authentic and unforgettable, I’d love to connect. Whether you're planning a luxury destination wedding or an intimate backyard celebration, I bring the same analog love and dedication to every film.

Stay tuned—I'll be writing another blog post soon all about the Super 8mm cameras I use for weddings and travel shoots. In the meantime, you can check out my portfolio to see more of my work as a Super 16mm and Super 8mm travel wedding filmmaker.


Let’s make something timeless, on film.


 
 
 

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