Testing a Vintage Camera from Japan
There’s something magical about photographing a couple on film. The softness, the grain, the way the light blooms just a little differently than digital — it feels nostalgic and timeless all at once.
During this engagement session at Balboa Park, I brought along a new (well… new to me) 35mm film camera that made quite the journey before landing in my hands. It came all the way from Japan, and this session was its very first test run.
And honestly? I’m already obsessed.
Why I Love Shooting Film
Film slows everything down in the best possible way.
With digital photography, you can shoot quickly and check the back of the camera instantly. But with film, every frame matters. Every click of the shutter feels intentional.
There’s anticipation too — waiting to see the scans, wondering how the light translated, and trusting the moment you captured.
Film has a way of turning fleeting moments into something that feels almost cinematic.
A Perfect Place for Film
Balboa Park is one of my favorite places in San Diego to photograph couples. The architecture, the gardens, the light — it all feels incredibly romantic.
Many of the buildings here were originally constructed for the 1915 Panama–California Exposition, which celebrated the opening of the Panama Canal and showcased ornate Spanish Colonial Revival architecture that still defines the park today.
Those arches, carved doorways, and palm-lined courtyards photograph beautifully on film. The tones feel soft and painterly, almost like stepping back into another era.
Moments That Felt Like a Movie
From the moment these two stepped in front of the camera, the energy was effortless.
They laughed their way through the session, wandered through the gardens hand in hand, and shared quiet little moments that felt completely natural.
One of my favorite frames was in the courtyard where he lifted her into the air while she laughed — the architecture towering above them, the light spilling in, and the whole scene feeling like something straight out of a romantic film.
Film has a way of capturing those moments with a softness that feels emotional and real.
Champagne and Celebration
Toward the end of the session, they popped champagne on the steps with the Botanical Building in the background — a little spontaneous celebration that turned into some of my favorite images of the day.
That’s the thing about engagement sessions: they’re not just photos. They’re a chance to celebrate this season of life together.
And film captures that joy in a way that feels incredibly timeless.
Why I’m Bringing More Film to Weddings
After seeing these scans come back, I’m even more excited about incorporating film into more engagement sessions and wedding days.
There’s something about it that just feels different — romantic, imperfect, and beautifully nostalgic.
Exactly the way love stories should feel.
✨ Planning your own engagement session in San Diego?
Balboa Park is one of my favorite locations for couples who want a romantic mix of architecture, gardens, and classic California light.
