weddings and elopements on analog film. richmond, virginia and beyond.
“Aly was a joy to work with and did our entire wedding weekend for us as well as our engagement photos. We had multiple family members comment that she was in the right place at the right time, how she blended in with our wedding ceremony beautifully, and made our guests feel comfortable being photographed. Her photos capture the exact energy of each event she photographs.”
- Aubrey & Jackson
“Aly was, without hyperbole, the dream wedding photographer. She is truly an expert with a level of artistry that we didn’t associate with wedding photos before her.”
- Lily & Scott, NYC
vendors please email alyhansenphoto@gmail.com
i limit the number of weddings i accept per year because i serve you best when i show up rested & inspired, instead of burnt out and exhausted.
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i do things a little differently. i am not going to tell you that i would love to work together. we don't know each other yet! i want to feel 100% aligned with every couple i work with, and that is why my wedding dates are not first come first serve. i approach our initial conversation as a two-way interview or a first date, to ensure that we are all comfortable and confident in moving forward together.
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i am a queer woman. all love is welcomed here. routinely, my clients have been enthusiasts of all things analog, cinephiles, artists themselves, and trusting of me to document their day exactly as it happened. i work best without timelines, traditions, and shot lists— but i still work with many couples who do lean into traditions as long as their wedding photography expectation from me is to document their day exactly as it happened, without manufacturing moments. yes, i do family portraits. yes, i still shoot digital unless full film is requested.
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weddings and elopements are quoted on a case-by-case basis, as each client and their needs is so individual to them. once we have video chatted about your inquiry and decided if we are a fit for each other, i will build you a custom proposal.
payment plans are always available. most couples choose this option.
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i shoot an average of 10 rolls on a standard hybrid coverage wedding day, but it can be more or less and i don’t give exact numbers as i am guided by intuition and that gut feeling of which camera to reach for, not concerned with meeting quotas.
on average i have 6 cameras on my person for wedding days and all but one are film, so i am reaching for film more often than not.
if you’d like your wedding shot on 100% film, i have done that before and it is absolutely encouraged by me.
more of what they’re saying
“Investing in Aly was the smartest thing we did for our wedding. She went beyond every expectation and was very communicative about her process and made us feel like we were her only client. She is not only a joy to work with but an incredible photographer and we’d hire her again in a heartbeat.”
— Grayson & Andrew, Alabama
“Aly has such an amazing eye for capturing the most precious moments—ones that you don’t think to ask for and that can’t be staged or planned. She shot digital & film, bringing a second shooter with her. Everything turned out incredible. She was professional, organized, and prepared. She also gave great direction and was a big help in keeping things flowing throughout the night. I’m so glad Aly was there to capture such a special day—we’ll cherish these photos forever.”
— Hannah & Reid, Alabama
WHY CHOOSE A WEDDING FILM PHOTOGRAPHER?
You've heard the term "if it ain't broke don't fix it", right? In a world dominated by digital photography (digital everything, really) the allure of film photography is strong. There is something undeniably enchanting, inviting, and comforting about film photographs - especially when it comes to capturing the most important moments of your life (your wedding day!) That's why many couples, especially my wedding and elopement couples, are opting for a film wedding photographer to capture their nuptials and the celebrations that follow. Film photography has a distinct aesthetic that cannot be replicated by digital media. The softness, depth, dynamic range and natural grain of film create a ethereal quality that adds a touch of nostalgia, stillness, and sentiment to your wedding photos. From analog's rich and saturated colors to the subtle details and textures, no one film photograph is ever exactly the same. Choosing a film wedding photographer is not just about the end result, but also about the process and expertise. Film photographers like myself take a deliberate and thoughtful approach to our craft. I know I'm a master at mine. We take the time to compose each shot carefully, using our expertise to capture the emotions and atmosphere of your wedding day.
FILM PHOTOGRAPHY’S ALLURE
In today's digital age where everything is instant and easily accessible, the allure of film photography is fragrant and hard to resist. Film photographs have a certain charm and timeless beauty about them that cannot be replicated by digital images. There is a sense of nostalgia and authenticity that comes with film from the process to the end result - making it the perfect choice for capturing the most important moments of your life, such as your wedding day. Film photography takes us back to a simpler time, when every photograph was carefully composed. There is a sense of anticipation and excitement in waiting for the film to be developed, not knowing exactly how the images will turn out - every surprise a happy accident. This element of surprise and unpredictability adds to the magic of film photography, creating a unique experience for both the photographer and the couple.
HIRING A WEDDING FILM PHOTOGRAPHER
When it comes to your wedding day, you want every detail to be perfect. There are a lot of wedding photographers out there who... to be honest, don't know their shit when it comes to analog film. Film is so, so delicate - it isn't a medium that a wedding photographer can simply offer as an add-on and call it a day. Film demands to be romanced, and heard. You want your wedding film photographer to know their analog cameras like the back of their hand, and not pick someone who just picks up film sometimes and stays playing it safe. My expertise in film is something I'm very proud of. I shoot only analog film in my personal day to day life, and my photography sessions are 100% film. I have backups for my backups, and I can tell you when a roll won't turn out before I ever remove the roll from the camera - which is extremely important as I’ll need to another film camera to not miss shots, and you need your film photographer to have that intuition when something isn’t going right - even though we don’t have a digital screen to guide us. You want your wedding photographer to have these strengths, and knowledge when it comes to using something as delicate as film on your wedding day. As film photographers, we have a deep understanding of our craft and a keen eye for detail. Allowing us to create images that evoke emotion and tell a story - because we have to be truly present to mesh film into our wedding workflow. Film wedding photographers are not just technicians, but artists in their own right. They have honed their skills through years of practice and have a deep understanding of the medium. They know how to use light, composition, and timing to create images that are visually stunning and emotionally evocative. Shooting with film requires a level of skill and patience that is not often seen in the digital realm. Film photographers take the time to compose each shot carefully, considering every element in the frame. We wait for the perfect moment to capture the emotion and atmosphere of your wedding day and this level of intentionality and attention to detail is what sets film wedding photography apart from its digital counterpart, all the more a wedding photographer who lives and breaths analog and all its quirks and wonders.
Do you shoot digital too?
Sessions (engagements, families, in-home) are photographed on 100% analog film. Weddings and elopements include a ton of film, unless you upgrade to a full film wedding (some people do!) otherwise yes, your wedding/elopement will be shot on digital cameras as well.
eloping or getting married in virginia? here’s some info that might help you out.
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every park is different, but most parks require a permit. however, you can elope at Virginia Public State Park without even having to rent anything out! maymont park is another elopement/wedding favorite but a permit + renting the venue space you want is required.
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what you need:
1) identification for you and your partner to go to your local courthouse and get your marriage license
2) hire a civil celebrant / officiant (or have me hire someone for you) and the three of you will meet me at the spot of your choosing
3) i recommend writing custom vows / love letters, to really make the experience as sweet as can be
4) don’t forget to hire a photographer to capture it all (even if it isn’t me)
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elopements are usually more secretive and private, often without guests. micro-weddings have up to 50 guests and are usually pretty public. i do offer micro-wedding packages!
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so you want to get married or elope at a venue, yay! here are some popular richmond wedding venues:
1) poe museum
2) maymont park
3) blue bee cider
4) john marshall ballroom
5) commonhouse social club
6) richmond country club
7) linden row inn
8) hotel green
9) the ashby inn
10) montfair resort farm
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in relation to photography services, it means there are no hidden fees or extra fees. you don’t pay extra for your completed photo gallery, or anything like that. if i tell you i’m photographing your wedding or elopement for 6 hours and that you get all of your edited photos, that’s exactly what i mean!