Behind the Design: A Conversation with To Have Her on the Art of Film, Storytelling, and the Weddings That Live Forever

Presented by Plannerd & To Have Her // Photography by To Have Her

There’s a reason we fall in love with wedding photography that doesn’t feel staged. It lives. It breathes. It reminds us not just what the day looked like—but how it felt.

Few do this more masterfully than To Have Her, the creative duo of Ximena and Pablo, known for capturing weddings entirely on film. Their work is raw, cinematic, nostalgic—yet deeply modern in sensibility.

We sat down with Ximena to talk about what inspired their full commitment to analog photography, how they approach a wedding day, and what couples can do to bring that signature editorial-meets-intimate energy to their own celebrations. Along the way, we explore how tools like Plannerd support the artistry behind the scenes—making space for emotion, creativity, and moments that last a lifetime.

You’ve made the bold decision to shoot entirely on film—what drew you to analog photography, and how does it shape the way you approach a wedding day?

Ximena:
I’ve always been drawn to film photography. I started collecting film cameras when I was 13 or 14—something about the process really called to me. The colors, the grain, the texture. It’s not just aesthetic; it’s emotional. Film is how photos used to be taken—it has this built-in nostalgia that just feels right for a wedding day.

Pablo, my partner and videographer, has always shot on film too, both in photography and video, so he really encouraged and supported the full transition. Once I made the switch, everything about how I work changed.

Film forces you to slow down. With digital, you can take hundreds of images to “make sure” you get the shot. But with film, you might only get 36 exposures on a roll. It makes every frame feel sacred. You’re not just documenting—you’re storytelling with precision and purpose.

That intention behind each shot is something couples feel throughout the day. And when they’ve planned their wedding in a clear, organized way—like through Plannerd—it makes space for that kind of creative trust and flow. We’re not scrambling. We’re focusing on the story.

Film forces a certain level of intentionality—how does that influence the way you compose shots or direct couples throughout the day?

Ximena:
Before switching fully to film, I would shoot digital alongside it. That gave me a “preview” before firing the film camera. But now, I don’t have that safety net—I rely completely on experience, technique, light, and instinct.

That shift has made me a better photographer. We still guide our couples with direction and prompts when needed, but our priority is always real emotion. We want images that feel like memories, not magazine covers.

Our style blends documentary with editorial—so it’s still elevated, still timeless—but always grounded in who the couple actually is. And again, when the couple isn’t overwhelmed by last-minute logistics—when they’ve used something like Plannerd to map out vendor details, timelines, even a personalized task list—it frees them to be more present. That authenticity shows up in the photographs.

How early in the planning process do you like to be involved, and how do you collaborate with couples or planners to ensure the wedding day is not only beautiful in real life, but also stunning on film?

Ximena:
We love to be involved as early as possible. Being part of the process from the start lets us understand the couple’s vision and the story they want to tell. We can talk about locations, key moments, colors, even lighting—so that everything adds to a consistent, intentional visual narrative.

Open communication is everything. Whether we’re working directly with the couple or alongside a planner, we want to make sure every choice supports that final visual experience.

That’s where Plannerd can be such a powerful tool for couples. It centralizes everything—from tasks to scheduling to guest lists—so there’s no guesswork, no scrambling for addresses or PDFs the night before. And when everyone’s on the same page, it allows us as photographers to show up and focus on the art.

You have a signature way of making your photos feel both editorial and intimate. What’s one thing couples can do to help bring that energy into their wedding day?

Ximena:
Don’t be afraid to be yourselves—and trust the process.

That’s the real magic. I know it can feel awkward at first. You have a camera pointed at you, guests watching, and the pressure of it being “your day.” But honestly, the best photos come when you let go. Don’t try to perform for the camera. Don’t aim for perfection. Just be present with each other.

Some of our favorite moments are the in-between ones: a soft laugh, a hand squeeze, the way someone’s eyes well up just a little. When couples allow themselves to feel the day instead of curating every second, the images become both personal and timeless.

And when the couple has planned smartly, like using Plannerd to manage all the moving pieces, they’re not in a state of overwhelm. They’re calm. They’re grounded. That’s the energy we want. That’s what translates into photographs that still make you feel something, even 30 years from now.

Finally—what do you hope couples feel when they look back at their wedding photos years from now?

Ximena:
I hope they feel like they’re stepping back into that day—into the real emotions of it. I hope they see not just how it looked, but how it felt—the intimacy, the joy, the chaos, the calm.

Film has this softness, this depth, that feels like memory. It ages with grace. It honors the beauty of imperfection.

When we shoot a wedding, we’re not just capturing events—we’re creating something that might one day be shown to grandchildren. That’s the level of reverence we bring to it.

And when couples partner with the right vendors, plan with intention, and use the right tools—like Plannerd—it elevates everything. The result isn’t just a wedding. It’s a story worth telling again and again.

Plannerd x To Have Her

A partnership rooted in craft, clarity, and timeless storytelling.
Explore more of To Have  Her’s film work: tohaveher.com
Start planning your intentional celebration: plannerd.com