What happens when you throw away the digital safety net and shoot an entire wedding session on film… at night… in Chinatown?
Why Film? Rediscovering the Magic Behind the Lens
This project began as both a challenge and a dream. Ever since I started shooting weddings, I relied on digital cameras. Film was something I hadn’t touched seriously since grade school. But in July 2022, I picked it up again, and it changed everything. The process was slower, more intentional, and more difficult. And yet, it reminded me why I fell in love with photography in the first place.
When this couple trusted me to create their wedding portraits entirely on film, I knew it was the perfect chance to take a leap. Inspired by Wong Kar-Wai, film noir, and vintage Hong Kong cinema, I packed rolls of film, a continuous light, and no backup digital body. Just film. Just trust.
Chinatown Nights: A Love Story in Neon and Nostalgia
Chinatown was the only place this could have happened. My very first New York apartment was on Mott and Bayard so to return here thirteen years later, married, established, and photographing this cinematic love story felt like a full-circle moment. Back then, I was just a girl with a camera and a dream. Now, I was here making the images I had only imagined in my sleep.
The noodle shop scene was it for me. Strangers paused to watch as we photographed them eating under the glow of Chinatown lights. It was messy, fun, romantic, and exactly what I hoped for. The perfect mix of Wong Kar-Wai atmosphere and real love.
We also ducked into an arcade, and the couple lit up. Between the neon machines and the laughter, it felt like stepping into another world. These photos blend wedding romance with the unfiltered joy of a night out in Chinatown… playful, unexpected, and purely cinematic.
More Than Wedding Photos: A Creative Leap
Some of my favorite frames were the editorial portraits. They were moody, cinematic, almost like fashion stills. They’re not what we usually think of when we say “wedding photos,” but they’re honest to who this couple is and what inspired the shoot. They carry the grit and glamour of New York, and the spirit of a couple unafraid to do something different.
The night itself felt electric. The streets were buzzing, neon signs flickered, and strangers stopped to watch. And yet, in the midst of the chaos, it often felt like we were the only people there… suspended in a cinematic moment of love, light, and trust.
These images are unlike anything I’ve made before. Grainy, moody, colorful, and romantic. A mash-up of documentary intimacy, editorial edge, and pure creative play. They remind me that wedding photography doesn’t have to follow rules. It doesn’t always have to be the sunset portrait or the classic gown. When couples are open to creativity, we can make art together that feels timeless, cinematic, and deeply personal.
For me, this session isn’t just about Chinatown or even about film. It’s about taking risks, pushing myself as an artist, and remembering why I fell in love with photography in the first place.
Weddings don’t have to look one way. They can be cinematic. They can be different. They can be unforgettable.
