Weddings on film: my most frequently asked questions, answered
My name is Abigail Tulenko Hashmi. I’m a fashion photographer based in Washington, DC, and I photograph a small number of weddings each year on 35mm film and Super 8. My editorial work has appeared in Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar and L'Officiel. I shoot weddings in DC, Virginia and Maryland, in New York and New Jersey, and abroad by commission for destination weddings. Below are the questions couples and planners ask most.
About the work
Who photographs weddings on film in Washington, DC? Abigail Tulenko Hashmi photographs weddings in Washington, DC on 35mm film, with Super 8 for moving images and digital where light or pace requires it. She comes to weddings from fashion editorial work, so the photographs read closer to a magazine story than a conventional album.
What is an editorial wedding photographer? An editorial wedding photographer approaches a wedding the way a fashion story is made for a magazine: attention to light, styling and composition, alongside the unplanned moments. In my case that means mostly observing, then making portraits quickly and with a clear idea, the way I would on set.
What does your work look like on a wedding day? Mostly, I pay attention. The photographs I care about happen unexpectedly: a father telling a joke, a rare smile from a stern aunt. When a portrait is needed, I make it with careful direction and genuine regard for the people involved, then step back to allow the real moments to happen.
Do you also film wedding videos? Yes, on Super 8. Every collection can include a short Super 8 film shot on a 1960s movie camera: silent, grainy color footage, scored and cut into a few minutes. It is not a replacement for a videographer who records vows and speeches with sound.
Film and Super 8
Is film wedding photography worth it? For couples who care about how their photographs feel and last, film is the gold standard. Film records light on a physical negative, renders skin and colour softly, and makes the photographer choose rather than collect. I add digital coverage so nothing essential is missed.
Will a film photographer miss moments? No. I shoot 35mm throughout and add digital wherever light or pace calls for it: dim receptions, fast processionals, the dance floor. A second photographer covers parallel moments on larger weddings. You receive one gallery, edited to sit together.
How long does film take to deliver? A preview arrives within 5 days maximum. The full gallery follows within 4 weeks, and the Super 8 film in about 5 weeks, because each step is done by hand.
Washington, DC weddings
Where do you photograph weddings in the DC area? Throughout Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland, including Georgetown, historic houses and museums, embassies and private residences, Virginia hunt country around Middleburg, and the Eastern Shore.
Can you photograph in museums, historic houses and embassies? Yes. Many DC venues limit flash, restrict areas or require security lists. I confirm the rules with the venue and your planner beforehand, and film suits low, natural light well.
New York, New Jersey and destination
Do you photograph weddings in New York and New Jersey? Yes, regularly, from Manhattan and Brooklyn to New Jersey estates and the Hudson Valley. Travel within the Northeast corridor is included in my base package.
Do you travel for destination weddings? Yes. I photograph weddings worldwide. Some of my favorite places to shoot are Mallorca, Italy, Greece and elsewhere by commission. Travel is quoted as one all-inclusive figure before you book.
Multi-day weddings and traditions
Do you photograph full wedding weekends? Yes. Welcome dinners, rehearsals, multiple ceremonies and the morning-after brunch can all be included, with coverage planned around the people and moments that matter most to you.
Do you photograph multicultural and religious ceremonies? Yes, I’ve photographed Catholic ceremonies, Muslim Nikkahs, quaker ceremonies, non-religious secular ceremonies and everything in between. I especially love to photograph cultural fusion weddings. Before the wedding I ask which customs, relatives and moments matter most, so I'm in the right place when they happen.
Privacy and publication
Can our wedding stay private? Yes. I'm glad to sign an NDA, galleries are private, and nothing appears on my website or social media without your written consent.
Will our wedding be published? Only if you want it to be. If you do, I can submit it to publications I work with and credit your vendors.
Investment and booking
How much does a film wedding photographer cost in Washington, DC? My collections begin at $15k and are built around your day; most couples invest $25k for photography and Super 8 together. Travel is included in the final investment.
How far in advance should we book? Most couples write me 12–18 months ahead. I take just a few weddings a year, so peak dates go first. However, my availability is variable so if you are planning last minute, please feel free to reach out.
How do we book? A 50% retainer holds your date, with the balance due two weeks before the wedding.
For planners
How do you work with planners? I love working with planners! I will be there from start to finish to help ensure the wedding goes smoothly- building the photography timeline with you, visiting the venue beforehand, and keeping on schedule. After the wedding, I send you a selection of images credited and ready to share.