Everything You've Been Wondering
Real answers about film, process, pricing, and what it's actually like to work with us.
Film & Photography
What is Super 8mm film and why do you shoot on it?
Super 8mm is a motion picture film format introduced by Kodak in 1965 — a consumer-friendly evolution of Hollywood's professional film formats, designed to bring cinema into everyday life. Each cartridge holds 50 feet of film, yielding roughly 3 minutes of footage captured on real celluloid — not a sensor, not a chip.
Unlike digital video, Super 8 produces natural grain, warm tones, and a softness that feels the way memory actually feels. It doesn't capture audio natively — every sound in a Super 8 film is synced from an external source — which means the final film is intentionally crafted, not just recorded. The result is cinematic, timeless, and impossible to fake.
We include Super 8 in every wedding and elopement package because your story deserves a medium that will still feel alive 50 years from now.
What is 35mm and medium format film photography?
Film photography captures light on a physical emulsion — not pixels — producing organic grain, naturally soft highlights, and warmth in color that feels true to life rather than manufactured.
One of its most distinct qualities is highlight rolloff. Where a digital sensor abruptly clips to pure white when overexposed, film gradually transitions into brighter tones — the way your eyes actually experience light. Film also gives us flexibility in development: we can shoot for the shadows and bring out highlights in the darkroom without significantly affecting shadow detail, expanding the dynamic range in ways digital raw files can't fully match.
We shoot both 35mm and 120 medium format. Medium format produces a larger negative with richer tonality and finer detail — fewer frames per roll (14–15 images), but exceptional quality in every one. 35mm yields 30+ frames per roll with a slightly smaller negative, still far superior to digital in warmth and character.
We develop all film in-house — full creative control from the moment we load the camera to the final scan.
Do you develop your own film?
Yes — and it matters more than most people realize.
Many film photographers send their rolls to a lab, handing off a critical part of the creative process to someone who wasn't there on your wedding day. When a lab scans negatives, they make interpretive decisions about color, exposure, and tone — which is essentially having someone else edit your images.
We develop everything in-house. That means we can shoot for the shadows, knowing that in development, we can pull up the highlights without significantly affecting shadow detail. The result is a fuller dynamic range in the final image. We control every step: capture, development, scanning, editing, and printing. Start to finish.
What if a film roll doesn't turn out?
Film is an analog medium — there are more variables than digital, and there's no preview screen on the back of the camera to confirm an exposure in the moment. That's part of what makes it special, and part of what requires real expertise.
We have extensive experience with Super 8, 35mm, and medium format film and have not had any rolls lost or ruined. We take every precaution — proper storage, careful loading, deliberate exposure decisions, and in-house development. But because we believe in honesty: film carries inherent variables no one can guarantee away. What we can guarantee is that the experience and care we bring minimizes that risk significantly.
Will the film footage be delivered digitally?
Yes — everything is converted to digital and delivered through your Pic Time gallery, alongside your digital photos and video. One place for everything.
If you'd like to keep the physical film for projection, that requires shooting on color positive (reversal) film stock — a specialty format that needs to be discussed before your wedding day, since it affects what we load. Just bring it up early and we'll make it work.
How many rolls of film do you shoot?
For 35mm and medium format (120) photography, we shoot five rolls at the Full-Day (10-hour) level of coverage. 35mm yields 30+ images per roll. Medium format yields 14–15 images per roll — fewer frames, but a larger negative with richer detail and tonality.
For Super 8 video, each cartridge yields roughly 3 minutes of footage. We include one cartridge with the Half-Day and Full-Day packages, and two cartridges with the Multi-Day Experience. A second Super 8 cartridge is available as an add-on for the Full-Day — just let us know well in advance, as specialty film needs to be sourced ahead of time.
On Your Wedding Day
Will you make us pose?
We're comfortable guiding you if you need direction — but our instinct is always to let you be. Our goal is to capture who you actually are together, not a version of you performing for a camera. We keep portrait sessions light, fun, and natural so the camera fades into the background and you can just enjoy each other. If a genuine pose looks great, we'll use it — but we'll never manufacture emotion that isn't already there.
How do you handle low light situations?
Low light is something we navigate regularly and handle well.
For digital, our cameras perform exceptionally in low light. When we use flash, we approach it artistically — either a direct flash that looks cinematic and intentional, or a diffused light that mimics natural indoor lighting without making your reception feel like a photo studio.
For film photography in low light, we often switch to black and white — naturally more light-sensitive, with beautiful grain rather than noise. For Super 8 in dark venues, we add supplemental lighting or use a more sensitive film stock when available.
Are you Part 107 drone certified?
Yes. Part 107 is the FAA certification required to fly drones commercially — it covers airspace regulations, weather assessment, safety procedures, and flying over people and structures. When evaluating any photographer or videographer who offers drone footage, this is worth asking about. We take it seriously.
Will it always be Brandon and Aby shooting?
In most cases, yes. Occasionally we split across different weddings and bring in trusted associate shooters we've vetted for quality — and we'll always tell you upfront during your booking conversation if that's the case. Everything is still edited and developed by us, so the final work maintains the Motus standard regardless. Ultimately, it's always your call, and we'll never put you in a situation you're not comfortable with.
What's your backup plan if equipment fails?
We always arrive with backup equipment — extra cameras, additional film bodies, and multiple audio sources. If something fails mid-day, we have a replacement ready. This isn't optional at this price point; it's fundamental. A photographer who doesn't carry backups has no business charging professional rates, and our couples never have to worry about a single point of failure on their wedding day.
Booking & Planning
How far in advance should we book?
Ideally three months or more — but we've booked weddings the day before. If your date is close, reach out. If we're available and can prepare properly, we'll make it work. We'd rather say yes than have you settle for someone who isn't the right fit.
Can we customize our package?
Yes. Our packages are designed to work well for most couples, but we're flexible. If you have something specific in mind — different hours, a different combination of services, or something you don't see listed — let's talk. We specialize in digital + Super 8 + film, but we can accommodate almost anything another company would offer.
Do you travel for destination weddings?
Absolutely — anywhere in the US or internationally. Travel costs are simply what it actually costs us to get to your wedding, with a small buffer for the reality that travel always runs a little over. We don't significantly pad travel the way many photographers do.
If we can book multiple weddings in the same destination window, we split the travel costs between couples — which can make a destination booking more affordable than you'd expect.
How many weddings do you take per year?
We cap our bookings at 20–25 weddings and events per year — intentionally. Quality over quantity means every couple gets our full attention, not a stretched calendar. It's one of the reasons the work looks the way it does.
Delivery & Gallery
How many photos will we receive?
It varies by package — longer coverage means more photos. But we don't deliver every frame we capture. We carefully cull through everything and deliver the best version of your day — the images you'll actually want to look at in 20 years, not thousands of near-identical frames that bury the ones that matter. More images isn't better; better images is better.
When will we receive our photos and film?
We aim for under two months. Our contract states 180 days as a buffer — life happens, and peak season in Colorado (late summer through fall) means we're often working through a high volume of weddings. If turnaround time is critical, rushed delivery is available for an additional fee. Just mention it early.
How is everything delivered to us?
Photos and video are delivered through Pic Time — a platform where you can view, share, download, and order prints directly from your gallery. Film enlargements are produced in our darkroom and mailed to you directly.
Raw footage ships on a physical drive — video files can run up to a terabyte, and we don't want you scrambling for storage.
Can we choose the music for our highlight film?
Yes — with some important context. We invest in multiple music licensing platforms and have curated playlists with a wide range of options.
Mainstream music is a different situation. Anyone who tells you they can use any popular song without restriction is either misinformed or not being honest — unlicensed mainstream music can get your video taken down, generate copyright strikes, and create real legal exposure. We have access to select mainstream tracks through specific licensing agreements, and we can cut social media reels to popular songs already cleared within Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. We'll always be upfront about what's possible.
Still Have Questions?
We're real people — reach out directly.
Let's Talk Through Everything
Tell us about your day — we'd love to be there for it.