As a film wedding photographer, I’ve learned that the best moments happen when couples stop performing. In my first conversation with Alexis, I asked her what she prioritized in wedding photography. Her answer? “Emotions rather than perfection.” I knew immediately we were aligned. This is exactly why I photograph weddings: so I can capture the full spectrum of feeling, not just poses.

When Alexis and George started planning their wedding, they knew what mattered most: real moments over perfect poses, emotions over Instagram aesthetics. They found their venue in the Poconos at the Lodge at Mountain Springs Lake—a property that felt like an extension of their values: nature-forward, intimate and intentional.

Alexis and George trusted me to document their day with both film and digital, to slow down when moments called for it, and to step back when their people needed to just be present together. Here’s how it unfolded.

I used a mix of film and digital formats to capture the rich in between emotional moments of the day. Most images here shot on my vintage Rolleiflex and a toy Holga, for plenty of Perfect Imperfect vibes.

Why the Lodge at Mountain Springs Lake Was the Perfect Fit

The Lodge is situated in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania—about 90 minutes from Bucks County and a few more from New York City. It’s a property that doesn’t try to be trendy, in fact it’s been in the Rader family for a few generations. The outdoor ceremony spaces have natural backdrops and are surrounded by towering trees, the lake and a serene pond that reflects the Lodge.

For couples like Alexis and George who prioritize nature and authenticity, this venue does the work for you. You don’t need a lot of florals or decorations when you’re surrounded by this landscape. And for film wedding photographers, Mountain Springs Lake Resort is a dreamy setting with lots of the natural light film photography loves.

What I love about photographing at the Lodge is that the property gives you room to move, and many beautiful backdrops to take advantage of. You can get ready in the Carriage House, Gathering Suite or your own cabin by the lake. Outdoor ceremonies are sited at a clearing by the pond, under towering pines. And there are docks by the water for portraits, in fact many couples love the opportunity to get into a rowboat for a quick trip on the lake. The Lodge is warm and intimate, with tall windows so the natural light and trees are always part of the space.

I’ve photographed multiple weddings here—you’ll see Liz & Dan’s wedding also on my blog—and each one tells a different story because the couple brings their own vision to the setting.

The Wedding Day

Getting ready photos start to reveal the real story of a wedding day. Alexis had her bridesmaids with her, laughing, supporting, and enjoying their time together. I captured them — one holding a cell phone as a mirror—while Alexis put on her lip gloss. It wasn’t a planned moment, just best friends taking care of each other, like they would every other day.

Here’s the difference between ‘perfect’ and ‘real.’ Alexis’s bridesmaids weren’t posed in a line. They weren’t looking at the camera. They were genuinely connected to each other, and that tells something about their relationship. That’s what I like to photograph.

For the ceremony, Alexis and George chose the outdoor space under the trees. Natural light, no flash, just the light filtering through pines on a sunny June day. I shot primarily on my vintage Rolleiflex—medium format film that captures texture, grain, and a particular warmness that digital can’t quite replicate. The Holga added intentional imperfection, with its soft edges, light leaks, giving photos a dreamy quality.

Why film for this couple? Because Alexis values intention. She wasn’t interested in having thousands of photos to sort through. She wanted photographs that had been made with thought and craft, and that captured the fleeting in between moments. Film photography also has an extra special resonance for Alexis’ Dad, who was friends with master photographer Saul Leiter.

Why Film Photography Captures What Really Happened

I used a mix of film and digital to photograph Alexis and George’s wedding, primarily shooting with my vintage Rolleiflex and a plastic toy Holga. When I tell couples this, maybe they assume it’s aesthetic or trendy. It’s deeper than that for me.

Shooting film forces me to slow down. Instead of taking 50 frames of the same moment and picking the best one, I only have 12 frames per roll, so I have to really feel the moment coming. I have to be open and anticipating.

For couples like Alexis and George who prioritize emotions and moments over things, film is the perfect medium. It’s not about endless posing and 10 shots of the same detail from different angles. It’s about anticipating a shot, being in the moment to take it, and following my couples’ lead.

Where the Rolleiflex captures detail and textures, the Holga adds intentional imperfection with its soft focus, light leaks, and dreamy quality that reminds you this is about feeling, not flawlessness.

Digital fills in the gaps. It gives me speed, more angles and certainty that I’ve captured the moment. The film gives the day soul with it’s depth, rich analog color and intangible feeling.

The Film Wedding Photographer’s Philosophy

Alexis’ words, “emotion rather than perfection” echoed throughout the wedding. She and George stayed true to themselves, tying in the nature that they love by having loose wildflower arrangements throughout, and taking walks around the lake and under the trees. Their families laughed and relaxed in front of the camera, and hugs were given liberally.

As a photographer, it’s my job to honor all that. Step back when moments are unfolding naturally, not interrupt with directions. A quick switch to a nearly silent film camera so I don’t interrupt a moment. This is what ‘presence over performance’ means. It’s not about making content. It’s about remembering how it all felt.

What Made this Wedding Theirs

Alexis and George didn’t get caught up in the pressure of wedding industry demands. They kept it simple and authentic to who they are with a ceremony under the trees and vibrant flowers to connect to their love of nature, with a guest list that included the people who mattered most. A photographer who got what they valued and a timeline with room to be present meant an unhurried day with time enough to enjoy cocktail hour.

These are the details that made the wedding theirs. Not because of trends, but because they reflected George and Alexis’ values.

If you’ve read this and thought, ‘that’s what we want’ — emotions over perfection, moments over things, nature over décor—then we should talk. I photograph weddings at Lodge at Mountain Springs Lake regularly. I know the property well and photographed my first wedding at the Lodge in 2005. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to photograph weddings in every season, and not only know the light, locations and backdrops that tell the story of Mountain Springs weddings, but how to keep things calm and present when there are a lot of moving parts.

I also know how to shoot film in a way that honors your day rather than distracts from it, and step back to let moments happen. It’s about the full emotional spectrum, from smiles, to sometimes tears, laughter, and connection.

Whether you’re planning a wedding at Lodge at Mountain Springs Lake or another Pocono venue, if you value authenticity and emotions over perfection, I’d love to work with you.

Let’s talk about your wedding or explore my wedding pricing.

Here’s another early Lodge at Mountain Springs Lake wedding I photographed: Liz & Dan.

Venue, The Lodge at Mountain Springs Lake Resort | Photography, Laura Billingham | Floral, Floral Boutique Stroudsburg | Dress, Castle Couture | Officiant, Journeys of the Heart, Susanne Wilson