Film and Super 8 Stephanie Bilinsky Film and Super 8 Stephanie Bilinsky

Get Started with Super 8 Wedding Film

Maybe you’ve seen it on Instagram - the dreamy, vintage videos of people in love. They look like they could be from the ‘70s in the best way. Warm grain amps up the emotions of intimate moments. Everything about Super 8 wedding film is rad. I’m Sara, a film photographer and Super 8 educator. In this blog post, I’m sharing what you need to know to get started with Super 8 in your wedding business. Come get obsessed with me.

Why Add Super 8 Wedding Film to Your Offerings

There are so many reasons to add Super 8 to your wedding offerings. If you love that vintage vibe but don’t want to learn a whole new skillset, Super 8 is a great solution. You’ll build on what you already know about creating great visuals. Think lighting, composition, all that good stuff you’re already doing in your photography.

Super 8 is actually an accessible way to get into videography compared to a lot of digital options. You don’t have to invest a ton of money in new professional gear. Typically, you can find Super 8 cameras for just a few hundred dollars. The end-to-end process is more affordable and less intimidating than the full-on cinematic setup you’ve probably seen at weddings. You don’t need mics or sound equipment, just your clients’ joy shining through in the footage.

But the REAL reason Super 8 is the shit? The clients. You get to meet the coolest people doing Super 8 wedding films. They’re people who want unfiltered emotion and see the artistry in life’s in-between moments. Those vibey visuals will make your brand a magnet for these clients. When they see Super 8 wedding film on your website and socials, they’ll know you’re the artist for them. 

Get ready to fall hard. Just check out this Super 8 wedding film:

What You Need to Know about Super 8

Super 8 wedding film is definitely outside of a lot of people’s experience. Even if you grew up with home videos, they were probably taken on a camcorder or similar equipment. Here are some things you should know before you get started.

1. Once you get the hang of it, it’s super straightforward.

Super 8 looks complicated from the outside, but the truth is that it’s less fuss than a lot of modern systems. You don’t need a whole set up and a crap ton of equipment - just your camera, charged battery, and some film.

2. It’s not as expensive as you think.

The costs can seem steep at the outset. Once you understand the process and where to buy and get your film developed, though, it makes sense. (More on costs in our free mini training. Watch it to get all the details!)

3. Things can go haywire if you’re just winging it.

Remember that this is film. Whatever is true for film photography usually is true for 8mm as well. You can’t delete a bad take on a Super 8 wedding film, and you have to understand your camera. This is not the kind of thing you want to learn just by messing around on your own. That’s why we created our Gr8 Super 8 Masterclass. More on that below!

4. There’s no audio.

A lot of contemporary videographers include audio recordings in their final edits. This can require multiple microphones. Super 8 wedding film, on the other hand, doesn’t have any sound. You can record sound on separate equipment, but people who want Super 8 tend to like it the way it is. The focus stays on the visuals and the emotions they create. It also frees marriers from having to wear mics on their wedding attire or figure out how to get them into their ceremony setup discreetly. Like I said, less fuss.

5. You’ll need some things to get set up.

Start with your physical equipment. You likely can get 8mm film from your local camera store. We love a local camera store.  I buy Super 8 film at Glazer’s Camera in Seattle and Pro8mm online.

As for digital requirements, you’ll need a platform to host videos for your clients. I use Vimeo. It’s pretty straightforward to use, and clients usually are familiar with the platform. Vimeo videos are easy to embed in blog posts as well. You can get a discount on your Vimeo subscription with this affiliate link. (I might make a small commission.) 

How to Create Dope Super 8 Wedding Films

By now, you’re probably thinking, “Cool cool cool. How do I learn to do all this?”

Good news is, you don’t have to do it through trial and error. Brilliant human and videographer Natalie Bergfalk and I teamed up to create a comprehensive course for photographers. Gr8 Super8 takes you through the whole process step by step. We combined everything we learned to help you skip a lot of the growing pains that come with adopting Super 8. You can skip the hassle with our no-fluff, confusion-free masterclass. We’re sharing everything you need to start offering Super 8 wedding film. 

Here’s a peek at what we cover in each module of the masterclass.

Camera Settings

We’ll help you find your first Super 8 camera. I even include a video of me shopping online to really break it down for you. Then we walk you through the ins and outs of a Super 8 camera - how it works, which settings you should know about, and how to prep for a session.

8mm Film

You know how there are different stocks of 35mm film? There are different types of 8mm film too. We cover each kind and when to use them.

Actually Filming

Time to put theory into practice. Expert videographer Natalie walks you through all the good stuff. We’re talking lighting, panning, and timing for your Super 8 camera.

Developing the Film

You can send your Super 8 film to be developed by a third party. Or you could learn the craftsmanship and technical skill behind the magic. (Can you tell which we prefer?) In this lesson, we take a start-to-finish journey through the developing process.

Basic Editing

Let’s turn all that footage into a story. We teach you basic editing for that vibey Super 8 you and your clients love.

Since this is a self-paced course, you can go from newbie to launching your new service as fast as you want. We’re really excited to help more photographers create vintage and vibey films.

Want to learn more about adding Super 8 wedding film to your offerings? Grab our free training! We’ll tell you what you can expect to invest, how we structure Super 8 packages, and which deliverables clients love. We’re even throwing in a discount code for $40 off of our course because we’re kind of obsessed with spreading the Super 8 love.

Read More
Lifestyle and Family Stephanie Bilinsky Lifestyle and Family Stephanie Bilinsky

Seattle Lifestyle Photographer: The Sullivans’ Last Summer in Seattle

There are lots of legit reasons to hire a Seattle lifestyle photographer. The Sullivans reached out to me to document an important moment in their family - their last summer in Seattle and their last season as a family of three. I documented raw magic moments on a mix of digital and Super 8 film.

A woman holds a toddler outside an ice cream stand as they both turn to look at a Seattle lifestyle photographer.

A Seattle Lifestyle Photographer for the Sullivans

I love when clients reach out because they want to document their real life in a place that’s so important to them. Laura and Tim are incredible artists. Before the session, they shared this: “We are TRULY so excited to shoot with you specifically because of all the film/off-kilter/non-cookie cutter family photo vibes. We want weird and cannot wait to see what you create.” I couldn’t have described my approach to family lifestyle photography better!

A mother and child pull toys out of brown paper bags in their living room.
A man holds up a magnifying glass for a toddler to peek through.
A child leans out of a hammock to touch the grass underneath while a Seattle lifestyle photographer takes pictures.
A woman holds a toddler while they wait for ice cream.
A toddler sits between her parents with a soft serve ice cream cone.
A man holds a toddler eating ice cream in documentary family photos.
A man and woman sit with their toddler in a sunny patch of grass eating ice cream cones for Seattle family photos.

Since the point of lifestyle photography is to document life unfiltered, we spent the evening the same way the Sullivans had been doing all summer. We met up at their rental then headed out for ice cream cones. Laura and Tim shared cones with their daughter Misa before heading to Lake Washington for a swim. It was the perfect way to capture what life was really like for the family in that moment.

A man lifts a toddler at the edge of the water at Lake Washington.
A mother and child kneel in the water of Lake Washington for a Seattle lifestyle photographer taking photos.
A husband and wife wade into a Seattle lake and embrace.
A toddler walks towards her parents in Lake Washington in Seattle family photos.
A father walks towards his daughter in the shallows of a Seattle lake.
A father holds a toddler's hands and swings her over the water of a Seattle lake.
A family in bathing suits sits laughing on the shore at Lake Washington for Seattle family photos.
A mother and father hold a toddler's hands as they walk down a dock in their bathing suits.

That Last Summer in Seattle

As a Seattle lifestyle photographer, I love to incorporate Super 8 film into sessions. Laura was especially excited about this part of the session. With the move to Chicago looming, she wanted to preserve this moment in Misa’s childhood and their family’s life in Seattle. Laura said, “Something dreamy and sweet is going to remind me of this last summer as a family of three and how grateful I am for this life.” I love the way the Super 8 came together! You can see the full-length film from this session here.

A mother and father embrace a toddler on a dock in a Seattle lake.
A mother and daughter stand on a dock in Seattle as another family member pulls himself out of the water.
A mother and toddler laugh on a dock while being photographed by a Seattle lifestyle photographer.
A woman holds a toddler's hands as she walks along a dock's edge at a Seattle lake.
A toddler in a dress runs down a narrow tree-lined road in Seattle.
A family runs in circles around a Seattle tennis court.
A woman watches a father touch his forehead to a toddler's in Seattle lifestyle photography.

Would you like me to be your Seattle lifestyle photographer? I’ll snap slices of life that you can revisit for years to come. Reach out!



Thanks to these Seattle businesses that helped make this day magic:

Ice cream: Homer

Children’s gifts: Perry and Carlson

Read More
Weddings Stephanie Bilinsky Weddings Stephanie Bilinsky

Super 8 Wedding Videographer for Seattle Wedding

Super 8 adds instant nostalgia and artistry to wedding videography. Paired with film photography, it’s my favorite way to document a wedding. In the summer of 2022, I joined Hildi and Adam as their Super 8 wedding videographer. They had a dreamy, connection-oriented backyard wedding outside of Seattle. I’m obsessed with their film photography and Super 8 video!

A super 8 wedding videographer documents a backyard wedding through a doorway.

Hiring a Super 8 Wedding Videographer

Hildi and I first met in a pretty unique way (for a wedding photographer and client, anyway). We met at a business meetup in Bellingham. We really hit it off and started following each other on Instagram. I was thrilled to be her photographer and Super 8 wedding videographer.

A groom ties his shoes.
Bridesmaids reach out to adjust a bride's wedding dress before her backyard wedding in Seattle.
A bride cries as her mother puts a veil in her hair.

Like a lot of my clients, though, Hildi and Adam were excited about having film and Super 8 coverage as part of their wedding package. Hildi even photographs with film, and they’re both mixed media artists. They really wanted an alternative way to document their wedding day. I used mixed medium format film, instant Polaroid film, 35mm film, and a medium format digital film for their photos. For their videography, I used a combination of 90’s camcorder and Super 8.

A groom stands in a doorway with his parents on either side of him.
A bride cries with her parents on either side of her waiting to walk down the aisle at her Seattle wedding.
A bride and her parents walk through a doorway on the way to a backyard wedding ceremony.

As a Super 8 wedding videographer, Hildi and Adam’s film is exactly what I always hope to accomplish. The emotional in-betweens with loved ones, the raw joy, the dreamy whirlwind of it all are condensed into a film that feels like their wedding day really did. You can check out their entire Super 8 wedding film below.

Pairing Film Wedding Photography with Super 8 Video

A shared love of film photography is one of the things that Hildi and I bonded over. As a Super 8 wedding videographer, I find that film photography perfectly pairs with that medium. It’s endlessly inspiring to me. It captures these unfiltered moments in the most magical way. 

Wedding guests sit in a backyard waiting for a ceremony to begin.
A bride and groom hold hands in front of a floral wedding arch in a backyard wedding documented by a Super 8 wedding videographer.
A bride puts on glasses to read her vows.

Like I mentioned before, I used four different types of cameras, including three film, to photograph Hildi and Adam’s wedding. Each brings something different to the experience of reliving Hildi and Adam’s wedding. The image of the ceremony taken on my medium format camera has light leaks and imperfections that actually feel perfect. The wedding had this magical intimacy about it that the light patches in the corners emphasize. 

Wedding guests listen to a couple exchanging vows in a Seattle wedding ceremony.
The bride and groom kiss at the end of the backyard wedding ceremony.
A groom carries a bride through a doorway.

The Polaroids, on the other hand, have such a party vibe. I love the one of the tambourine, trumpet, and other instruments sitting on the porch beside the old metal chair. The slight blur and glint of the lights gives you a sense of the anticipation and whirlwind energy that carried everyone through the reception. The Polaroids along with the 35mm photos feel like the kinds of images Hildi and Adam’s grandkids might pass around at holidays decades from now.

Two men smile and embrace.
A man puts an arm around a bridesmaid's shoulder in a film wedding photo.
A bride and groom pose with a large group of family and friends for a wedding portrait.

Hildi and Adam’s Intimate Poulsbo Wedding

Documenting the meaningful in-betweens is definitely easier when a couple has a cool community like Hildi and Adam do. Everyone stepped up to help with their backyard wedding. Hildi’s dad offered the use of his home in Poulsbo on the edge of the Olympic Peninsula. The lush space was so beautiful that you’d guess it was a venue if you didn’t know better.

A bride sits on a vintage couch smoking during a backyard wedding in Seattle.
A bride and groom hold hands, showing off their vintage wedding rings.
A bride and groom run down a wooded path after a Seattle wedding.

Hildi’s sister and grandmother also pitched in by making the cake - another element you’d never guess was DIY from how gorgeous it turned out. Her mom did a lot of the planning. Her dad built the cornhole and arbor. Her uncle MCed, and her aunt officiated. Friends made the bouquet and brought other flowers. Hildi said, “This is really put on by our ‘village,’ and we couldn’t be more appreciative.”

An elderly man plays a keyboard and sings into a microphone.
A bridesmaid reaches out to hold a bride's hand during a toast at a backyard wedding reception.
Adam hugs a family member while Hildi sits by their feet in her wedding dress.

Hildi and Adam held their ceremony under her “birth tree.” The resilient tree felt like the perfect symbol to Hildi. She and Adam got to start their life together rooted in what was authentic to them, including deep family connections.

A bride and groom dance surrounded by family and friends under strings of lights.
A bride and groom kiss at the end of their first dance in a film wedding photo.

A Rad Reception with Live Music

Even though Hildi and Adam’s celebration was carefully planned, the best moments were spontaneous and impossible to plan. Cake smashes and kisses, pre-ceremony tears and dance floor twirls. It was a beautiful blur. I’m so grateful I got to document it!

Hildi holds hands with guests and dances in a circle.
A bride smushes a piece of wedding cake against a groom's face at an outdoor wedding reception.
A bride and groom kiss beside the cake table in a film wedding photo.

Music played a BIG role in Hildi and Adam’s celebration. Her father’s band Paundy played at the reception. Leading up to the wedding, Hildi told me that “they are phenomenal musicians and play funky music.” What an understatement! They got everyone moving. Adam’s dad played some music, too. Hildi even hopped on the drums for a few songs. I’m not sure I’ve ever documented a wedding where so many talented family and friends contributed to the music.

Wedding guests line in the backyard dance at night.
An elderly family member sings while wedding guests line dance behind her.
A trumpet and tambourine sit beside a chair.

If you couldn’t tell, music has always been an important part of Hildi’s relationship with her father. They love listening to the Beatles together. For their father-daughter dance, they chose “Imagine” by John Lennon. Needless to say, the big dances were pretty emotional, including Adam and Hildi’s first dance to “Crimson and Clover.”

A bride plays drums with the wedding band.
A child eats fruit from a desert plate in a backyard wedding reception.
Hildi dances with a wedding guest in her backyard.


Super 8 wedding videography and film photography were the perfect mediums for documenting the joy of Hildi and Adam just being themselves with their favorite people. It’s intimate and creative just like this one-of-a-kind wedding day. Would you like me to be your Super 8 wedding videographer? Reach out to me here!





Thanks to the vendors who made Hildi and Adam’s wedding so damn special!
Florals: Costco and Pumphouse Farm 
DJ / Band: Paundy 
Dress: Wtoo from A & Be.
Custom suit: Ruby Suits at the Fremont Market
Bridesmaid dresses: Scholle Dress on Etsy
Engagement ring: Sophia Perez Jewellery
Wedding bands: Ernesto Garcia in Bellingham
Rentals: Vividly Yours Co

Read More
Weddings Sara Welch Weddings Sara Welch

Artistic Wedding Photography on Film

Wedding photography on film is perfect for artistic candid images that document life the way you remember it. At Aaron and Giselle’s backyard wedding in Seattle, I used film to capture their non-traditional celebration and all the emotional in-betweens.

Artistic Wedding Photography on Film

Film is magic. As a wedding photographer, it lets me document raw moments in artistic and sometimes unpredictable ways. This medium was seriously perfect for an edgy, honest couple like Giselle and Aaron. They’re non-traditional and really valued having artistic wedding photography on film. These photos have life. They document those rich in-between moments that you wouldn’t think to put on a shot list.

A groom looks at his reflection in a floor length mirror.
Groomsmen straighten their jackets in the doorway of a bedroom.
Family photos hang on a refrigerator in a Seattle home.
Bridesmaids open champagne bottles on a Seattle porch in wedding photography on film.
A bride takes a picture on a disposable film camera.
A bride holds her hands to her chest as she reacts to bridesmaids in their dresses.

Aaron and Giselle’s top priority for their wedding was that it felt like them. They skipped the first look. Food didn’t matter much to them, but they got a killer espresso cart. They said, “We just want it to feel fun and comfortable but in fancy clothes!” Even their playlist was full of old favorites that got everyone on the dance floor.

A wedding dress hangs beside a window in wedding photography on film.
A bride laughs and leans forward as she puts on her wedding dress.
A bride puts on her wedding shoes in a patch of sunlight.
A bride hugs her father at the foot of the porch steps.
The father of the bride wipes away tears with a handkerchief.
The groom wipes away tears as he waits for the bride at the altar in wedding photography on film.

Even though Giselle and Aaron aren’t interested in fitting inside narrow wedding industry boxes, they love hard. They love their families, their cats, each other. Film fits their whole vibe because it’s unfiltered and nostalgic at the same time. These photos show you just how deeply and dreamy this wedding felt. 

Giselle's father smiles at her as he walks her up the aisle.
Wedding photography on film shows Giselle walking arm in arm with her father.
A bride and groom exchange vows in a backyard wedding in Seattle.
Wedding guests smile and wipe away tears during the backyard wedding ceremony.
Tall coniferous trees line the edge of a backyard in Seattle where guests watch a wedding ceremony.
A bride and groom kiss at the end of a backyard ceremony in wedding photography on film.

Aaron and Giselle’s Backyard Celebration

Giselle and Aaron got married in the front yard of her parent’s house in South Seattle. Her parent’s also got married at a family home. Can you tell that they’re sentimental? Wedding photography on film had that intimate feeling that comes with being in the place you love most - but in fancy clothes, as Aaron said.

A Polaroid wedding photo shows a bride and groom holding hands and walking down the aisle.
A bride and groom walk towards the back door of a house after their backyard wedding ceremony in Seattle.
Wedding guests walk around the corner of a brick house.
A bride twists her ring in wedding photography on film.
A bride and groom sit on a brick patio and talk in a black and white wedding photo on film.
A groom hugs his mother in law after the Seattle wedding ceremony.

This wedding was deeply intentional from start to finish. Before the ceremony, they asked guests to put away their phones. Not a single phone was in sight the entire ceremony. I have never seen guests so attentive during a ceremony.

A bride and groom laugh as they walk up a driveway in wedding photography on film.
A couple laughs surrounded by wedding guests listening to speeches under a tent.
In wedding photography on film, a groom wipes away a tear during a wedding toast.
A couple wipes away tears while they talk to a family member during their backyard wedding reception.
A bride walks towards the camera smiling with her wedding party in wedding photography on film.
A bride and groom cut their wedding cake on a table with a black cloth and white candles.

We made time for quiet moments, too.  We snuck away to a rental a few houses down for family portraits. It was so nice to be away from the noise of the day to document heartfelt formals and the funny moments in between.

A bride hands a slice of wedding cake to her parents.
A bride and groom dance on an outdoor dance floor in wedding photography on film.
Wedding guests slow dance at the reception.
A bride yells as wedding guests lift her off the dance floor in wedding photography on film.
Guests lift the groom off the dance floor and carry him away from the camera.
Lights streak across a film photo of a bride dancing with wedding guests.

Would you like me to snap your wedding photography on film? Inquire here!




Thank you to the vendors who helped make Aaron and Giselle’s wedding so dope:

Dress: Monique Lhuillier
Suit: Canali
Shoes: Prada
Wedding Band: Valerie Madison
String ensemble: Seattle String Quartet
Giselle's engagement ring: Greenlake Jewelry  
Planner: Lisha Lee, 3Eleven Events
Cutting cake: Deep Sea Sugar and Salt
Sheet cakes: Simply Desserts
Cookies: Treat
DJ: PT: Patrick Troll
Makeup: JoAnn Persephone
Giselle's hair: Mastered by Miyoko
Giselle's nails: Altar of Nails
Coffee Cart: Seattle Espresso Cart
Photobooth: A&H Photo Co.

Read More
Weddings Sara Welch Weddings Sara Welch

Bellingham Wedding Photographer for Intimate Backyard Wedding

Hillary and Cullen are grounded, genuine humans with a creative flair. I was so stoked when they chose me to be their Bellingham wedding photographer. Their film photography and Super 8 film show the warmth and openness that characterized their beautiful backyard wedding.

A dog runs past a bride and groom who are exchanging vows in a backyard wedding in Bellingham.

A Bellingham Wedding Photographer for Hillary and Cullen

The whole atmosphere for Hillary and Cullen’s backyard wedding couldn’t have been better. The weather was perfect. Everyone was welcoming, loving, and warm. The couple moved from Portland to Bellingham during the pandemic. Hillary loves collecting Mid-century Modern furniture and adopting dogs. Their wedding featured plenty of both. 

Polaroid photos sit on a shelf in front of a vintage mirror.
A bride sits on the edge of a bed wearing white sandals with her ankles crossed before her backyard wedding.
The bride's grandmother opens her arms in excitement when she sees the bride in her dress.
A Bellingham wedding photographer photographs a bride putting on her engagement ring.
The bride's mother holds her hand and smiles at the camera for the Bellingham wedding photographer.
A wedding guest holds a small black dog in her lap.

The whole day felt like all of their other favorite days together except with more loved ones and decadent food. Before their wedding, Hillary and Cullen told me that their version of the perfect day is laying around in their sunny backyard while they drink wine and throw balls for their dogs. As a Bellingham wedding photographer, I felt every bit of that hominess at this elevated backyard celebration. It had the ultimate classy garden party vibes.

The groom stands beside a flowering tree smiling when he sees the bride at the backyard wedding in Bellingham.
A bride's father kisses her cheek as he walks her up the aisle.
A groom holds a dog during a backyard wedding ceremony photographed by a Bellingham wedding photographer.
A bride wipes away a tear as she reads her vows beside a flowering tree in a backyard wedding.
Elderly wedding guests smile as they watch the backyard ceremony.
A couple embraces at the end of a backyard wedding ceremony in Bellingham.

Documenting the Wedding on Film and Super 8

Hillary and Cullen’s families worked hard to get the backyard prepped and looking beautiful for their wedding day. It was really important to Cullen and Hillary to get genuine photos with their family members, including Hillary’s grandmother. I got some incredible moments of them together on film and Super 8.

A bride and groom step onto their back porch with two small dogs following them.
A charcuterie plate sits on a table between a bride and groom at a backyard wedding photographed by a Bellingham wedding photographer.
Cullen stands behind the chair of an elderly family member.
Hillary embraces her grandmother beside a flowering tree after the backyard wedding.
A Bellingham wedding photographer takes a picture of a bride holding a bouquet to her face.
A laughing woman holds a toddler on her lap.

As a Bellingham wedding photographer, my favorite images from Hillary and Cullen’s wedding day are the ones we didn’t plan. Neighbors passing by stopped to chat over the fence. Their beloved pups lounged in the backyard like it was any other day. Everyone enjoyed the food which was just SO GOOD. You can really feel these moments when you look at them on 35mm film and Super 8. You can see Hillary and Cullen’s Super 8 wedding film here.

Wedding guests gather around cocktail tables after a backyard wedding in Bellingham.
A wedding guest sips a cocktail.
A family member stands with hands on Cullen's shoulders during dinner.
A bride and groom listen to speeches after dinner in a white tent.
A bride and groom hold their dogs on their front porch and kiss after their backyard wedding in Bellingham.

Would you like me to be your Bellingham wedding photographer? I would love to document your day with artistic film photos. Inquire here!








Thank you to the vendors who made magic at Hillary and Cullen’s wedding:
Florist: Aziza Seykota at Maple Petal Design 
Cake: Saltadena Bakery 
Hair + Makeup: Tamara Cantu for Beauty by Elizabeth Marie
Hillary’s ring: VRAI 
Cullen’s ring: Fairhaven Gold 
Catering: A Taste of Elegance

Read More