Wes Anderson inspired engagement photos on film - dive bar, record collection, and coffee shop
- Gracie Ryan
- Jan 21, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 2
Damn y'all. I am completely obsessed with this Wes Anderson inspired engagement shoot.

The idea behind this engagement photography package on film was to capture a documentary-style day-in-the-life photo series that felt really authentic to Matt & Talia.
Shot entirely on 35mm film with a mix of natural light and flash, the photos go from their apartment to their favorite coffee shop (where they hang out on the weekends drinking coffee and listening to records) to their go-to dive bar (where I got to play around with my new Godox Lux flash — with some dreamy results, IMO). We also wanted to incorporate a retro, Wes Anderson-style aesthetic to match the theme of their upcoming wedding. (You should see the mood board. It's iconic.)
I love shooting couples in their own homes — telling a visual story of their real lives and creating a gallery they can look back on to remember a very specific era. Talia and Matt had so many perfect little details to lean into that vintage Wes vibe: an epic record collection, funky graphic mugs, a typewriter, and the kind of apartment view that doesn’t even look real.

Their apartment in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle was such an ideal location for photos - with their postcard-quality balcony view of the Space Needle and picturesque small city streets. The local theater was also the perfect addition to the Wes Anderson vibes.
Matt and Talia spend weekends at their local coffee shop and radio station which I must say was another perfect location for an engagement session. High ceilings, lots of natural light, band posters and coffee merch everywhere.
This place was poppin' that weekend because of a video game convention going down next door but this cafe had plenty of seating and we were able to snag the comfy leather couch and chairs for a quick film portrait shoot. We grabbed some Wes Anderson inspired straight-on shots in front of the music posters and got the Caffe Vita branding in there.
(Pro tip for photogs: Always call the business where you want to shoot before showing up. 9 times out of 10 they'll say yes, sometimes you'll get free stuff or featured by the business, and you'll avoid any chance of an awkward encounter if they're not into it.)
We went to a couple of Matt and Talia's favorite late night stops and they were kind enough to let me use my brand new Godox Lux film flash to blind them in the dive bars with. We played some pool and the Rainier arcade game which ended up being perfect backdrops for the vintage film engagement session vibes.
I"m so happy with how these flash photos came out - especially as a first attempt with the new flash. Honestly y'all there are still so many more photos from this gallery I haven't shared yet. Maybe I'll have to do a round two.
Thank you so much Matt & Talia for trusting me to document a little chapter of your love story on film. Cheers to more music and movies and dive bar shoots in the future.
Interested in a film engagement session like this one?
This shoot was part of my Day-in-the-Life Engagement Package, which includes up to five locations and is ideal for couples who want something more documentary, less posed. These shoots are perfect if you want to capture real-life memories — your favorite spots, your Sunday routines, your love story in motion.
Whether you're based in Seattle, Portland, or planning a destination engagement session, I’d love to document it. I specialize in candid wedding and engagement photography shot on film and digital, with a focus on real moments, nostalgic vibes, and intentional storytelling.
Looking for a Portland wedding photographer?
If you're in the market for a film photographer specializing in candid Portland wedding photos please get in touch! I'm a Portland photographer available in the greater PNW and always open to travel. Reach out for an updated list of travel locations for this year, I'd love to shoot with you, wherever you're located!
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