Cakewalk Photography: Why We Do It Differently
When you’re planning a small wedding or elopement in New York City, the photography is everything. You don’t have a ballroom or ten hours of decor — what you have is a moment. And that moment deserves to be captured with intention, style, and skill.
Cakewalk weddings are built around that philosophy — one hour, one story, one perfect edit.
Our Style: Editorial, Effortless, and True
We call it editorial-style elopement photography — a mix of cinematic framing, documentary candor, and fashion-level composition. Our photographers shoot in a way that feels magazine-worthy but never posed.
It’s the kind of imagery that looks like it could be in Vogue, but still feels like you. You’ll see real movement, real emotion, and the architecture and light of New York doing half the work.
Film vs. Digital: The Romance of Both
We offer two primary approaches — both timeless in their own way.
Digital: Crisp and Editorial
Our digital shooters capture every detail — the shimmer of a dress, the skyline at golden hour, the emotion in a fleeting glance. Digital allows for precision, speed, and versatility, especially when we’re moving through multiple city locations.
Film: Texture, Grain, and Magic
Film photography is slower, moodier, and impossibly romantic. Every frame counts. The soft blur of motion, the grain of real film stock — it gives an elopement a timeless, cinematic quality you simply can’t fake with filters.
Super 8: For the Nostalgic and Cool
Super 8 film is for couples who want their day to feel like a dream sequence. Think soft flicker, warm tones, and real film reels that feel like something out of an indie film. We offer this as an add-on for couples who want their wedding captured in motion — imperfectly perfect.
Our Photographers: Curated, Not Crowdsourced
We only work with photographers who get what Cakewalk is about — intimacy, style, and a distinctly New York sensibility.
These aren’t random freelancers. Each one is personally vetted and trained in Cakewalk’s process and aesthetic.
They’re experts in elopement pacing, understanding how to make one hour look like a full story: getting-ready details, ceremony coverage, portraits, and post-ceremony candids that feel natural, not staged.
Our roster includes photographers with backgrounds in fashion, documentary, and editorial work — the kind of people who can make a quick subway ride or a windy Brooklyn overlook feel cinematic.
Why We Don’t Allow Outside Photographers
We get asked this a lot — and it comes down to quality and flow.
Our team is coordinated, collaborative, and experienced in moving through New York’s public spaces with grace.
They know how to work with our officiants, how to navigate crowds, and how to manage tight timelines without stress.
Bringing in an outside photographer who isn’t familiar with our format often means more chaos, less cohesion, and results that don’t feel like Cakewalk.
We protect your experience by ensuring every vendor — especially your photographer — shares our creative vision and understands the flow of the day.
Pricing: The Real Value of an Editorial Eye
Typical NYC wedding photography can range anywhere from $1,500–$5,000 per hour, and that’s often just for photos.
Every Cakewalk package includes:
One hour of photography (with the option to add time or film)
A professional, editorial-style photographer
Curation, color correction, and delivery of high-resolution images
Seamless coordination with your officiant and planner
All bundled into your total Cakewalk fee — meaning no guesswork, no hidden costs, and no last-minute scrambling.
Photography Add-Ons: Build the Exact Experience You Want
Your Cakewalk includes one hour of editorial-style photography — enough to beautifully capture your ceremony, portraits, and a bit of city magic. But if you want more, we offer add-ons that let you customize your wedding day without losing simplicity. Every add-on is intentionally designed to preserve the elevated, fashion-meets-documentary feel we’re known for.
✨ Additional Photography Hours
Perfect for couples who want:
Getting-ready moments
A multi-location walking route
More time in iconic spots like SoHo, Central Park, or the Brooklyn Bridge Park Esplanade
Family portraits, champagne celebrations, or a dinner entrance
Link here: (Add link to “Extra Photography Hour” page)
More time = more story. Our photographers are experts at using every minute in NYC’s fast-moving environment.
🎞 Film Photography Add-On
Real film brings texture, grain, soft blur, and unmistakable romance.
You’ll receive a curated set of scans that feel like editorial outtakes from a vintage magazine.
Link here: (Add link to “Film Photography Add-On”)
Film is ideal for couples who love:
Candid, nostalgic, imperfectly-perfect imagery
A moodier, more cinematic aesthetic
Artistic portraiture with depth and soul
🎥 Super 8 Video Add-On
Super 8 turns your wedding into a warm, flickering dream.
It feels like memory — soft motion, analog color, and pure emotion.
Link here: (Add link to “Super 8 Add-On”)
Great for couples who want:
A highlight film that feels like an art piece
A nostalgic, intimate portrayal of their day
A “home movie” vibe that’s still incredibly chic
📸 Digital + Film Hybrid Coverage
Can’t decide? You don’t have to.
This combo gives you crisp editorial digital images and dreamy film shots, side-by-side — a perfect blend of modern and nostalgic.
Link here: (Add link to “Hybrid Coverage Add-On”)
👥 Additional Time for Group Portraits
If you’re bringing ~20 guests (which City Hall doesn’t allow), you may want extra time to capture:
Full group photos
Smaller family combinations
Champagne moments
Post-ceremony celebrations
Link here: (Add link to “Group Portrait Add-On”)
🍾 “After the I Do” Documentary Moments
Some couples want their photographer to follow them for the first part of their New York celebration —
think:
Drinks at Bemelmans
Pizza in the West Village
A walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
Shots in the subway
Dinner arrival at a favorite restaurant
Link here: (Add link to “After the I Do Add-On”)
This is where the editorial magic often happens — the real, candid stuff you’ll treasure for decades.
📝 Why These Add-Ons Matter
Elopements move quickly, and your photos become the tangible version of the day.
These add-ons aren’t upsells — they’re ways to build the exact wedding story you want without the overwhelm of a traditional timeline.
And because we only work with our curated Cakewalk photographers, everything — pacing, aesthetic consistency, coordination with your officiant — stays cohesive and stress-free.
The Takeaway
Cakewalk photography isn’t just documentation — it’s art direction. It’s knowing how to make a stolen moment on a busy street feel cinematic. It’s capturing laughter, tears, architecture, and sunlight with equal weight.
Whether you choose digital, film, or Super 8, your images will reflect everything Cakewalk stands for — style, simplicity, and soul.