Traveling to Mexico with film

Hello friends,

I recently took a short trip to Mexico and decided to pack light—really light. No digital cameras, no heavy lenses. Just me and my trusty 35mm film camera.

There’s something grounding about film. Each frame counts. There’s no preview, no instant do-overs. It forces you to slow down, observe the world with intention, and wait for that real moment to unfold. And that’s exactly what I love about documentary photography.

As a San Antonio photographer, I often talk about how every wedding is unique. But what truly makes a moment special is its authenticity. In Mexico, I walked through busy markets, quiet villages, and colorful streets with no agenda other than to watch, wait, and shoot when something real happened—kids laughing, lovers talking, someone pausing for street tacos with life just swirling around them.

This kind of street photography, using just a 35mm film camera, hones the very skills I rely on as a documentary wedding photographer in San Antonio. Whether it’s a bride fixing her dress in the mirror, a grandparent’s happy tears, or kids running around the reception—these are moments you don’t pose. You feel them. You capture them as they are.

Film teaches patience. It reminds me to trust my eye and lean into emotion, light, and imperfection—because that’s where the real story lives. And when I photograph weddings, I bring that same mindset. It’s never about stiff poses. It’s about people, energy, and the tiny details that get overlooked in the rush of the day.

So here are a few frames from Mexico—moments I didn’t plan, but lived. Just like a wedding day.

Thanks for following along.