Photography has always felt like a part of me, and I think a big reason for that is my grandparents. My grandfather was a hobbyist photographer who loved shooting film, and my grandmother was right there with him, helping to capture moments that mattered. Together, they used their Canon F1 to document everything—family celebrations, quiet days at home, and all the small but meaningful moments that make up a life. That camera was a constant presence growing up, and their photos became the stories we told over and over again as a family.
My GrandParents.
When my grandfather passed, their Canon F1 was handed down to me. I’ll never forget the weight of holding it for the first time, knowing it wasn’t just a camera but a piece of our family’s history. My grandmother told me how they saved up for it and how much joy it brought them to create together. It’s hard to explain how special it feels to use something they both held and cherished so deeply.
The Camera
What’s even more incredible is that this camera, which is nearly 50 years old, still works like a dream. And with film photography making a comeback, it feels more relevant now than ever. You see it everywhere these days—weddings, fashion, even commercial work—and for good reason. There’s something about film that makes you slow down and be present. It feels honest.
For me, incorporating film into my work isn’t just a creative choice; it’s personal. That Canon F1 is the camera I use to capture so many of my couples’ love stories today. There’s something surreal about using the same camera that preserved my family’s memories to now create memories for others. It feels like I’m continuing a legacy, honoring my grandparents in a way that’s meaningful to me.
Every time I pick it up, I think about them—how much they loved photography, and how much they loved each other. It’s a reminder of why I do what I do: to freeze time for just a moment, so the important stuff—the love, the connection, the joy—can live on forever.
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