Super 8 wedding videography - Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Sydney, South Coast, Southern Highlands

A long time ago, almost ten years now, I started shooting with Super 8mm cameras. In the beginning it was experimentation with the different types of cameras, various films, scanning into digital formats. Now, I feel like I've grown even more fond of this vintage format. There's nothing quiet like the feeling it gives me, and the feeling of uniqueness it offers. While digital images are stunning, the images on film are so raw and authentic. Like some who prefer playing a vinyl record over a digital recording, Super 8mm is my visual equivalent. It's thicker. Grittier. The colours and imperfections can't be mistaken.

Janessa and Luke had there elopement wedding in the Stockton sand dunes, north of Newcastle. We photographed and filmed this beautiful day.

Is it easy to shoot a wedding using Super 8mm? No, it isn't. For starters, each cartridge of Super 8mm film has a finite length. And shooting at 18fps means you'll get around 3 minutes of footage. Unlike todays mega memory cards where you can store hours of footage onto a single card. Secondly, there's no monitor screen. You don't have the luxury of taking a quick look at what you've shot. One's you pull the trigger on the camera it's filming, so you need to carefully frame each shot.

Bianca and Aaron eloped in the Blue Mountains. We photographed and filmed it all on Super 8 cameras

There are also different stocks of film depending on the environment you are working in. Each stock has it's own form of beauty. Using 50D, 200T or 500T films will generally be the normal. While Tri-X is used for black and white exposures and the re-birthing of Ektachrome 100D is also an option. Which brings us to the next, probably key element when using Super 8 for your wedding day, the camera. There are literally hundreds of cameras available trough eBay and whatnot which means you can pick one up fairly easily, but given these cameras are at least thirty plus years old, their conditions and functions vary greatly. I recommend film testing any camera you plan to use to film a special day.

Cassie and Trent opted for a beach wedding, at Caves Beach, which we shot entirely on Super 8 film cameras

Make sure the light meters work and you understand all of the functions of your Super 8 camera before you pop a cartridge in the chamber or pull the trigger. Don't waste your film. It's expensive to purchase and develop and scan. Frame your shots. Expose them correctly. Otherwise you may well end up with a few rolls of useless overexposed film to give to your Bride and Groom. And that won't be a good day.... for you. On the other hand let me film your wedding using tried and tested cameras, I have many, and I'll guarantee you will have the best wedding video ever!

Christopher and Sean had their wedding in Newcastle and it was all shot by me on Kodak film

​Whether you are planning to elope, or have a full blown showstopper wedding, having it shot in Super 8 will give you the warm and fuzzies. Naturally I'd love to be the one you choose as your videographer and or photographer. Having a Super 8 wedding video will blow your guests away. I'm always stunned at the amount of people who approach me and ask " what is that?" I like to call it "escaping the done thing". Get in touch if you want to find out more about this retro-vintage trend setting way to make your day fun and truly candid.