Meet David Cruz | Los Angeles Wedding Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with David Cruz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I have called Los Angeles—the City of Angels, my home for the last thirty years but I’m originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, and moved to Westlake MacArthur Park in 1993, then to South Central, first near Vernon & Vermont and later to Gage & Normandie in 1995.

After graduating from George Washington Preparatory High School in 2005 on 108th & Normandie, we moved to Palmdale. I then moved back to MacArthur Park with my then-girlfriend for a few years. Following our breakup, I returned to Palmdale briefly before settling down in East L.A. for a decade.

It’s worth mentioning that I worked in various camera shops, including Ritz Camera in the Beverly Center and Samy’s Camera in Pasadena, from 2005 to 2015, before going to East Los Angeles College full-time from 2015 to 2019.

In other words, there’s not a single corner of this great city where I haven’t set foot. Whether driving or using the MTA, coincidently these are the times when I come up with my best ideas. Most recently, the name for my new brand, The Drunk Wedding Photographer, came to me while driving on the 170 North two years ago.

So, where am I going with this? Well, I believe in being a product of your own environment. In other words, I’ve picked up something meaningful from each neighborhood I’ve called home, which has shaped who I am and how I approach wedding photography.

After all, they say you spend more time at work than you do at home, right? You live at work, sleep at home.

And having lived in various corners of L.A., I’ve come to fully appreciate the distinct microcultures each pocket the city embodies. This experience has been the catalyst for my belief that to genuinely understand the essence of any place—the people, the microculture, and the culinary traditions—one should ideally immerse themselves for two to three weeks, rather than conform to the customary two-day visits prevalent among many travelers.

This perspective has also deepened my appreciation of my own neighborhoods, viewing them as premier travel destinations—a practice often overlooked by many who are captivated by exotic locations flaunted on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Speaking of which.

I have a strong disdain for so-called travel influencers who, after spending merely a weekend in a location, presume to create comprehensive end all be all definitive travel guides, a practice I find both superficial and misleading.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m David Cruz, under the brand name The Drunk Wedding Photographer. I specialize in film wedding photography in Los Angeles for small weddings and elopements, giving every photo that classic, timeless feel of 35mm film. I also photograph the occasional destination wedding in Guadalajara and Oaxaca, Mexico.

I exclusively use Nikon film cameras like the F5, F6, and N75 and primarily shoot on Kodak Ultramax and Fujifilm X-tra film to ensure each image radiates the distinct warmth and character only analog film can provide, creating dreamy, nostalgic images that stand out in a digital age.

My approach is simple and minimalist, focusing on capturing intimate, unscripted moments that traditional, large-scale weddings often overlook.

Growing up and living across different neighborhoods in Los Angeles has allowed me to quickly adapt to the varied personalities and settings at each wedding, whether it’s an intimate laid-back backyard wedding or a luxury black tie rooftop affair in Downtown L.A.

This blend of experiences and my deep-rooted connection to L.A. has taught me to navigate and appreciate the spectrum of human interactions, even welcoming the unfiltered charm of politically incorrect comments—something Grandma’s are known for, which I don’t shy away from.

And unlike many wedding photographers who claim to offer film wedding photography only to find out it’s a sneaky add-on, I go all in, ensuring each couple receives tangible memories in the form of printed photographs, a personal touch in a world that trends towards temporary instant gratification.

Based in the heart of cinematic L.A., my work celebrates the city’s iconic allure, blending the personal narratives of those I photograph with the broader, romantic backdrop of Los Angeles.

Lastly, my work goes beyond merely capturing images for the sake of collecting a paycheck; it’s about forging a legacy of memories, imprinted on both film and paper, that will outlast trends and resonate with future generations of those I’m fortunate to call my clients.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I officially rebranded to The Drunk Wedding Photographer a year ago, setting a four-year timeline to achieve my goal of fully sustaining myself through film wedding photography, with the plan to pivot if it doesn’t pan out. One year down, three to go.

Should I decide to throw in the towel, I’m not entirely sure what I would do next, but I’m considering venturing into cooking or offering curated street food tours in L.A. and Mexico, documenting each journey for my clients to keep the photography aspect alive. I can’t entirely quit photography.

And that’s thanks to my sixth sense for finding incredibly tasty street tacos having lived in L.A.’s diverse neighborhoods throughout the years.

For a late afternoon street food tour in L.A., we’d kick off with iconic views of Downtown L.A., savoring a shot or two of Mezcal as my clients take in spectacular vistas known to a select few. Then head to East L.A., where stops like King Taco, El Mercadito, and Cinco Puntos would be essential, peppered with visits to lesser-known gems. The tour would conclude at Leo’s Tacos on Western & Sunset, where I’ve been a loyal patron for over thirteen years, since their early days at Venice & Vermont.

For a weekend morning thing, I would start in Arleta hitting up hidden gems that are worth the early morning drive and finishing around midday in Piñata District.

For the Mexico street food tour, I’m considering hosting them in Guadalajara, Jalisco, rather than in my native Oaxaca. On account that flights from L.A. to Guadalajara are generally cheaper, and Guadalajara offers a broader variety of street food compared to Oaxaca. Additionally, everything is more budget-friendly in Guadalajara than in Oaxaca.

But I’m just thinking out loud at moment so it’s all up in the air for now. But it never hurts to plan ahead right?

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Over the years, many wonderful individuals have directly and indirectly helped shape who I am today both in my personal and professional life as well as encouraging me to rebrand to The Drunk Wedding Photographer. Listing everyone however would take forever, so for now, I’ll highlight those who have significantly helped me out in 2024 under my current brand.

Corey Potter of Fuel Your Photos, Kon and Becky from the YouTube channel Grays of Westminster, Brian Wertheim owner of Negative Lab, the team behind Shoutout L.A., Mr. Vahagn from the YouTube channel Vahagraphy, Andy of Andy Hair Art, Mr. Bryant Vu and Reggae Tony. Thank you.

Website: https://thedrunkweddingphotographer.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedrunkweddingphotographer

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedrunkweddingphotographer