A newlywed couple smiles at each other during their wedding ceremony in Telluride, Colorado, as photographed by a film wedding photographer.

Film Wedding photographer

based in Colorado, photographing weddings across the United States

A couple exits their ceremony in Denver, Colorado, smiling at each other. This photograph was taken by a film wedding photographer based in Colorado.

heartfelt and intentional photos for heartfelt and intentional people.

Pause your search for a wedding photographer real quick and let's just take this in:

You two have achieved the miracle of not just finding each other in this big wide world, but falling in love. Now, you have the opportunity of a lifetime: EVERYONE you love together in one room, united by their joy for knowing you (and perhaps by a few glasses of champagne), coming in from far and wide to welcome you two to the wondrous adventure of marriage.

Is that cause for celebration or what??

A man embraces his daughter, the bride, after the ceremony on a restaurant patio in Telluride, Colorado. Photograph taken on 35mm film by a film wedding photographer.
A wedding guest swipes away a joyful tear on a restaurant patio in Telluride, Colorado. Photograph taken on 35mm film by a film wedding photographer.

Photos for the two of you.

Photos for everyone who made you.

colorado and u.s. weddings photographed on digital, medium format, 35mm, and polaroid film.

A newly married couple is joyfully greeted by their guests at their reception in Telluride, Colorado. Photograph taken on 35mm film by a film wedding photographer.

the Joy of Gathering

It's 2025. You could head to the courthouse, sign a license, and call it a day (and it's totally cool of you to do). So why have a wedding? And why hire a film photographer to shoot it?

Because family means everything to you. Because you’ve gathered friends from all circles of your life. Because you want a rockin’ dance floor. Because you want to be surrounded by a sea of everyone you love. Because you can’t bear slashing the guest list when every person on it played a part in your journey to each other.

Photos for your folks.

Photos for your friends.

Photos for your people.

A young woman leans against the wall of a photo studio with a medium format camera in her lap

Hi, there — I’m Ayla,

A film photographer with a big heart and a big family. I'm married to the love of my life, a cinematographer with great hair named Brice.

Oh, by the way. We're also survivors of the current wedding industry. We got married last October and had our wedding at a brewery with 60 of our favorite people because it felt the most like us. So, we, like, totally get it.

“Ayla’s eye for detail, light, and little moments of magic are unparalleled.”

Not once did her presence with the cameras feel intrusive and, in fact, many of our guests commented on how lovely, fun, friendly, and celebratory she was to be around. If you are in search of the most wonderful film wedding photographer on earth, look no further; Ayla is the pinnacle of professionalism, kindness, warmth, and skill in her work.

- Lauren and Mark

P.S. Ayla Rae Weddings is a PROUDLY LGBTQ owned business. All genders, sexualities, races, etc, are included and celebrated here.

You don't want a wedding that feels like a wedding. And you’re probably on my site because you don't want wedding photos that look like wedding photos (come on, you know what I mean).

Here's to making your wedding day (AND your photos) feel like you. Less posing. Less cookie cutter. Less how-it's-always-been-done and more how-it-feels-right-now.