Thinking about adding a Super 8 film to your engagement session? This laid-back couples shoot in the Colorado foothills is the perfect example of how Super 8 films can turn an ordinary evening into something that feels unforgettable. Menique and Trent brought their van, their dog, and their low-key vibe to a grassy hilltop overlooking Denver, and what came out of it was a film that feels more like a memory than a video. If you’re wondering how Super 8 could fit into your own session (or why it’s worth it), this post will walk you through exactly what it looked like, what they brought, where we shot, and why it all worked so well on film.

What Is a Super 8 Film?

Super 8 is a type of analog motion picture film. It was first released by Kodak in 1965 and quickly became popular for home movies because of its small, portable cameras and distinct film look. It’s made a huge comeback for couples who want something more nostalgic, more emotional, and way less polished than traditional wedding videography. Super 8 is grainy, flickers a little, and it hits you in the heart and gut with nostalgia. It’s not just a pretty film, it’s a whole body, time travel kind of feeling that brings you right back to the moment, like stepping straight into a memory.

When I create Super 8 films for couples, I’m not staging anything or setting up cinematic scenes. I’m filming the way you laugh when your partner does that one thing that always makes you lose it. The way the wind moves through your hair. The way your dog runs straight toward you in the tall grass. It’s imperfect in the best way and that’s exactly why it matters.

A Super 8 film is shot on actual film (yep, the kind you have to develop), and you get a 3–5 minute highlight film set to music that fits the vibe of your day. It’s meant to feel like an old home movie, but one you’ll actually want to watch again and again, on your anniversary, or even a random Tuesday when you want to remember how this all felt.

Why Couples Are Choosing Super 8 Film

There’s something about Super 8 that digital just can’t touch. It’s not perfectly sharp, doesn’t record audio, and it’s definitely not polished. But honestly, that’s the point. You’re not trying to make a perfect movie, you’re trying to remember what it felt like to be there. To be you in that moment.

A lot of couples are just tired of feeling like they need a whole production crew to capture something meaningful. Super 8 feels like the opposite of that. It’s quiet (aside from that beautiful sound of running film), it’s simple, and it captures the vibe of the day without needing to be flashy. You don’t have to perform or pretend, you just get to be together, doing whatever you were already doing, and later you’ll have this warm, grainy little film that brings it all rushing back.

Most couples I’ve worked with weren’t even sure they wanted video until they saw a Super 8 film. They’re the ones saying “we don’t need anything fancy,” or “we just want to enjoy our day.” And that’s exactly why it’s such a good fit. This format doesn’t interrupt the flow, it just blends in, lets you live your day, and later hands you back this gritty, flickery little film that somehow captures exactly how it all felt.

If you’re planning a day that’s meaningful and low-key, where the priority is actually enjoying it all and being present with each other, Super 8 just makes sense. It’s the stuff you’ll want to rewatch when you’re old and thinking, “Damn, that was such a good day.”

Menique & Trent’s Couple Session on Super 8

Menique and Trent didn’t want anything formal, their only real plan was to park the van, let their dog Moab run wild, and enjoy a slow evening outside. So, that’s exactly what we did.

We spent the entire session in the foothills, just messing around in the field while the sun dipped behind the mountains. They played with Moab, cracked a bottle of wine, sat in the back of the van listening to music, and talked about the road trips they’ve taken and the ones still on their list. It was relaxed and how a Friday night with your person actually feels, which is why Super 8 worked so well. It captured all the little moments in between without making it a whole thing.

A Golden, Colorado Foothills Session Made for Super 8

We shot this session in the foothills just above the town of Golden, it’s a quiet little pocket that somehow always feels tucked away, even though it’s not far from Denver at all. It’s one of those spots where you can hear the wind, see the skyline off in the distance, and just breathe a little easier. Rolling hills, pine trees and the big open fields make it feel peaceful and perfect for a session.

It’s actually the first place I ever photographed at before I moved to Colorado, so it holds a soft spot for me. No permits required and no hiking involved, we parked right near the trail area and stayed close. There are hiking and mountain bike trails and even some campgrounds nearby if you want to turn your session into a weekend getaway.

The light here is best at sunrise or golden hour, but keep in mind the sun drops fast behind the hills, so timing is everything. Cell service is spotty, but there are restrooms, and it’s pet friendly (which is key if your dog is involved like Moab was).

If you’re looking for somewhere close to the city that doesn’t feel like it is, this spot’s worth considering. Especially if you’re dreaming of your own Super 8 session that feels calm and a little off the radar.

What to Wear for Your Super 8 Engagement Session

Menique and Trent nailed it with their outfits. They were casual, comfortable, and coordinated in a way that didn’t feel overly matchy. Everything they wore made sense for who they are and what we were doing.

Menique had on denim pants with Birkenstock clogs, a white tank from a Glass Animals tour, and a denim jacket. Trent kept it simple with black pants, a casual tee, and a green corduroy button-up layered over the top. And yes, Birks for him too. The best part is they were just wearing what they’d actually wear on a chill night outside. Which is exactly the point.

For Super 8, outfits with texture and movement look especially good on film, stuff like denim, corduroy, loose knits, cotton tees. Earthy or muted tones also hold up beautifully with the grain and flicker of the footage. But honestly? The best thing you can wear is something that feels comfortable.

A Chill Vanlife-Inspired Couples Session in the Colorado Foothills

Trent built their van himself, and it’s something they’ve used for road trips and camping ever since, so it just made sense to include it in their session. This was their real setup, and it felt like a natural extension of the kind of life they already live together.

The foothills location paired perfectly with that vibe. It’s the kind of place you’d pull off to for the night, quiet and open with views for days and space to just breathe a little. They cracked open a bottle of wine, let Moab run around, turned up the music, and hung out in the back of the van while I filmed.

That’s what I loved most about documenting this on Super 8. It didn’t feel like a photoshoot. It just felt like them, in their element, doing what they already do and the film gets to carry that feeling forward.

Ideas for Your Own Super 8 Session in the Colorado 

If you’re dreaming about doing a Super 8 session but aren’t sure where to start, consider trying to make it feel like something you’d actually do. This shouldn’t feel like a styled shoot or a Pinterest checklist, it should feel like a slowed down version of what time with your person already looks like. Here in Colorado, there are so many ways to make that happen.

You could hang at a cabin in the mountains, take your pup on a slow walk through a piney trail, post up at your favorite brewery, or cook dinner together and listen to records. Bring your van, your film camera, whatever feels real and familiar.

Here’s some ideas to help you brainstorm:

• Plan a slow morning at your home, cabin or campsite. Make coffee, pancakes and let your dogs run and play
• Walk through downtown Golden or Fort Collins and end with a brewery stop
• Go paddleboarding or kayaking at an alpine lake, Lake Dillon, or Horsetooth Reservoir
• Explore a wide open field in Crested Butte during wildflower season
• Visit a hot spring, like Strawberry Park, and rent a cute and cozy stay nearby
• Head to a scenic overlook for sunrise (even if you’re still wrapped in a blanket and half asleep)
• Stay in a fire lookout, treehouse, or unique Airbnb that feels like a vibe
  

The beauty of Super 8 is that it doesn’t need a grand setting or epic storyline. It just needs a little time, a place that feels good and a willingness to slow down. If you’re already planning a trip, weekend getaway, or engagement session in Colorado, we can build your film around that and make it something personal, honest, and worth holding onto.

Is Super 8 Right for You?

Here’s the thing, not every couple thinks they want video. And I totally get it. If the only stuff you’ve seen is cinematic drone shots and slow mo walks through fields with dramatic music, it probably feels like… yeah, not you.

But Super 8 isn’t that. It’s grainy and warm, a little flickery, with soft focus and weirdly beautiful little light leaks that somehow make it feel more like the moment than a crisp digital video ever could. Imperfect in a way that makes you feel everything more, and watching it back feels like cracking open a memory. It’s quiet and personal and emotional in a way that sneaks up on you in the best way.

If that feeling is speaking to you? Keep scrolling.

Colorado Super 8 Film Packages

Super 8 films are the perfect add on to any photography package, or you can book one on its own! Whether it’s an engagement session, elopement, or full micro wedding weekend, this format brings a whole different kind of storytelling to the table.

Here’s what’s included:

• A 3–5 minute highlight film shot on actual Super 8 film stock
• Edited to licensed music that fits the tone of your day
• That grainy, flickery, light-leaky texture you can’t fake with filters
• A private video link for streaming and download
• Short clips formatted for sharing on socials
• A one of a kind time capsule, something that feels more like an old home movie rather than a wedding video

These films are all about capturing how your day felt. It’s a little imperfect, totally nostalgic, and incredibly special in a way that sneaks up on you when you hit play.

Meet Your Colorado Super 8 Videographer

Hey, I’m Rach! A photographer and Super 8 filmmaker based in Colorado. I work with couples who love sharing an experience with their people and just want to enjoy the day as it happens. If that’s you, you’re in the right place.

I started offering Super 8 because I got completely obsessed with how it feels. The grain, the flicker, the light leaks, it’s imperfect in a way that hits deeper than anything polished ever could. There’s just something about seeing your day play back like an old home movie that gets me every time, and I wanted to be able to give that to my couples. I care a lot about the people I work with, the places we get to exist in for a little while, and telling stories that make you feel it all again when you look back.

When you work with me, I’m not just showing up to film and photograph, I’m here to help with all the moving pieces. Whether you’re planning an elopement, micro wedding, session, or something else entirely, I’ll help you sort the details, find the right spot, build a loose timeline, and make space for a day that actually reflects you. 

If that sounds like what you’re looking for, I’d be stoked to work with you. Inquire here!