Why Photojournalism Resonates with Gen Z & Millennials. And How Film + Digital Keep It Timeless
Modern couples are rewriting the wedding rulebook. From mountaintop elopements to intimate backyard gatherings, today’s weddings are deeply personal, and the photography should be too.
Unlike traditional photography, which can sometimes feel staged or outdated, photojournalistic wedding photography:
Puts couples at the center of the story - not in a forced pose, but in the realest, most natural state.
Captures authentic emotion - those imperfect, fleeting moments that define relationships.
Celebrates individuality - whether your vibe is non-traditional, adventurous, or effortlessly chic, your photos should mirror who you are.
Bridges eras with film and digital - giving you a gallery that feels both timeless and modern, with film as a premium, art-driven touch.
This approach resonates with Gen Z and millennial couples who want wedding photos that break from tradition and reflect a life lived on their own terms.
Photojournalistic wedding photography isn’t about stiff poses or cookie-cutter traditions.
At Weddings by Lalo, our approach is rooted in photojournalism with a cinematic edge. It’s about capturing wedding stories exactly as they unfold, raw, unscripted, and unforgettable. If you’re a couple who cringes at the idea of overly posed photos and prefers real, documentary-style memories that feel larger than life, you’re in the right place.
We document couples and their families using both digital and 35mm film, a roughly 50/50 split. Digital ensures crisp, vibrant coverage of every moment, while film adds timeless texture, warmth, and artistry that can’t be replicated. The combination gives couples the best of both worlds: modern clarity and nostalgic soul.
For many couples, 35mm film feels like a luxury, an artful layer that transforms galleries into something truly timeless and rare.
Solving the Problems Couples Actually Care About
Concern: “We hate being posed all day.”
Solution: We won’t direct you into stiff positions. Instead, we create space for natural interactions, walking, laughing, whispering inside jokes, and we document the chemistry that unfolds.
Concern: “We don’t want our wedding to look like everyone else’s.”
Solution: Every couple is different. We focus on your unique dynamics, your environment, and your story, ensuring your photos look cinematic but still feel uniquely yours. Shooting on both digital and 35mm film adds even more individuality to your gallery, with film providing an elevated, boutique feel.
Concern: “We want photos that feel real, not staged.”
Solution: Our photojournalistic style thrives on authenticity. From the tearful hug with your grandma to the late-night dance-floor chaos, we’re there to preserve the realness.
Techniques That Elevate the Experience
Dynamic Lighting, Minimal Interruption – We use natural light whenever possible, leaning into golden hour glows, moody shadows, or even rainy skies to add depth. No intrusive lighting setups pulling you away from your guests.
Movement Over Poses – Forget “hold still.” We encourage you to move, laugh, dance, and interact so your photos radiate life.
Environmental Storytelling – Whether it’s city streets, desert backdrops, or neon-lit receptions, we use your surroundings to add cinematic layers to your images.
Film + Digital Fusion – 35mm film brings grain, softness, and a tactile quality to your story, while digital ensures every detail is captured with precision. Together, they create a gallery that feels both authentic and elevated, with film offering a premium, artistic finish.
Intentional Composition – We frame you in ways that highlight both your connection and the atmosphere of your day, from quiet close-ups to wide shots that showcase the energy around you.
Making You the Hero of Your Story
At the heart of our work is one goal: to make you look and feel like the lead characters in your own wedding film. Not by forcing drama, but by finding it in your natural chemistry and your chosen setting. With the combination of film and digital, you’ll relive your day through both a nostalgic, tactile lens and a sharp, modern perspective. The inclusion of 35mm film elevates your gallery into a luxury keepsake, one that feels as rare and lasting as your love story.
When you look back at your images, you’ll see more than just pretty pictures, you’ll see your story told honestly.
For Couples Who Want More Than Tradition
If you’re planning a wedding that doesn’t fit into the traditional mold, whether it’s an elopement in the mountains, a city hall ceremony followed by tacos and dancing, or a vibrant, modern celebration with all your friends, Weddings by Lalo is built for you.
Your day deserves to be documented in a way that’s bold, cinematic, and completely true to who you are.
Because at the end of the day, photojournalistic wedding photography isn’t about us as the photographers. It’s about you living fully in the moment, and us making sure those moments live on forever, on both digital and timeless, luxury 35mm film.
Lalo Sandoval
WeddingsbyLalo.com
