In an era where digital perfection dominates, Super 8 filmmaking offers something refreshingly different—an organic, nostalgic, and deeply emotional way to capture life’s most meaningful moments. Few understand this better than Summer LaBelle, a Super 8 filmmaker whose work embodies the beauty of imperfection.

Originally from upstate South Carolina, Summer’s journey into filmmaking was anything but conventional. In 2020, she took a leap of faith, leaving behind a career as a video producer to move to Maui, Hawaii—without a plan, but with an open heart. It was there, surrounded by the island’s breathtaking landscapes and slower pace of life, that she discovered her passion for Super 8. What started as a chance opportunity assisting a friend at an elopement soon turned into a full-fledged creative pursuit, leading her to build a thriving Super 8 business.

Now based in Charleston, SC, Summer has brought her love for film to the East Coast, where she’s part of the growing movement of creatives embracing analog storytelling. Her work is nostalgic, whimsical, and deeply intentional—each frame telling a story that feels both timeless and intimate.

We sat down with Summer to dive into her love for Super 8, the challenges and joys of working with film, and what’s next for her as she continues to push the boundaries of wedding and lifestyle filmmaking.

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Can you introduce yourself and share how you got into Super 8 filmmaking?
Hi! I’m Summer LaBelle, a Super 8 filmmaker currently based in Charleston, SC. I’m originally from the upstate, and in 2020 I quit my job as a Video Producer, followed my childhood dream and moved out to Maui, Hawaii. I had never been to the islands before and didn’t know anyone, so I wasn’t sure how long my time there would be. Needless to say, I quickly fell in love with every aspect of the island – surfing, exploring, and soaking in the slower pace of life that living on an island offers. I worked a couple of odd jobs while I was settling into life there, and eventually got to the point where I was ready to figure out what I was truly passionate about, and pursue that. I quit my job at a coffee shop, and started assisting a photographer friend on some of her elopements. One day when we were at an elopement, she mentioned that she had bought a new film camera called a “Super 8” and hadn’t had time to figure out how to use it. She said that if I wanted, I could figure out how to shoot on it, and shoot some of her elopements. Since I had a background in video, I knew that it was something I was more drawn to than photo, though I hadn’t had too much experience with shooting either. I learned how to use the camera, starting shooting her elopements, and quickly fell so in love with the art of film! I shot a handful of her elopements, and then one day told her I wanted to start my own Super 8 business.. And that’s how I got my start!

What drew you to analog film in a digital world?

In a time where instant gratification dominates, film forces you to slow down, be patient, and cherish the moments you capture. In a way, I feel that film matches my personality more than digital does — it’s whimsical and honest. The grain, the slight haze, and the way it highlights only the most meaningful moments create a sense of intimacy and nostalgia that digital just can’t replicate.

How long have you been working with Super 8, and what keeps you passionate about it?
I started shooting Super 8 at the beginning of 2022 while living in Maui. It’s easy to stay passionate about it because I love the slowness and intentionality of the craft. The anticipation of waiting for film to be developed is part of the magic—you never truly know how a shot turned out until you see it. That element of surprise keeps the process exciting and rewarding!

How would you describe the aesthetic and emotion of Super 8 in three words?
Nostalgic, whimsical, and emotion-filled 

What makes Super 8 different from digital video, and why do you love it?
Super 8 has a nostalgic and unpolished aesthetic that digital can’t replicate. I love how it captures genuine moments in a way that’s imperfect but deeply sentimental.

Do you have a favorite type of moment or subject to capture on film?
My favorite moments to capture are ones filled with emotion! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cried watching back film from a first look with a bride and her dad, or a groom watching his bride walk down the aisle to vow forever to him.

What’s the biggest challenge and biggest reward of shooting on Super 8?
The biggest challenge is the unpredictability of film, and the fact that you can’t see the footage until after it’s developed. Ideally, each shot would be perfect and beautiful and crisp, but that’s not always the case, and it’s impossible to know until the film is developed. Equally, the biggest reward is that same unpredictability! There is such excitement in seeing a shot translate so beautifully on film. It creates a raw, nostalgic feel that’s impossible to duplicate digitally. 

How do you guide your clients through the process, especially those unfamiliar with film?
Typically, if a client reaches out about Super 8, they already have an understanding of what it is, and a desire for their weddings to be captured on film, in the perfectly imperfect way that the medium captures It. Clients who appreciate nostalgia and a timeless feel are drawn to the uniqueness of film!

Can you walk us through your post-production process—how does film development compare to digital editing?
Unlike digital, film requires processing before editing. I send my film off to a lab to be processed, developed, and digitized. Once the lab sends the footage back to me, the editing process is pretty similar to editing digital footage, but with a focus on preserving the natural look and feel of film.

What’s one of the most unforgettable weddings or shoots you’ve captured on Super 8?

Gosh, it’s hard to choose just one as each one has different aspects that have made it unforgettable! Insane locations are always unforgettable, of course, and I’ve shot some brand work in beautiful locations which is so FUN! But some of my favorite shoots have been the ones with so much intention behind them — where family is gathered together and thrilled to celebrate the bride and groom, where dads cry at how beautiful their daughters are, where the couple is so giddy and in love that it overflows to those around them

Have you had any unexpected moments with film (happy accidents or challenges)?
Definitely! Because of the nature of shooting on film, Super 8 can be unpredictable—light leaks, slight grain, and occasional imperfections. But those “imperfections” often make the final product feel even more nostalgic. I love getting footage back and seeing which shots have the ‘markings’ of film on them. Because of the same unpredictability, it’s almost inevitable to never run into issues. I’ve had rolls come back before where certain shots have been missing, but thankfully it’s never been anything major. It’s all part of the risk of shooting on film! 

What’s something people don’t realize about working with film?
Unlike digital, you don’t get unlimited takes. Each reel has a limited amount of time, which makes every shot intentional.

What is it like being a Super 8 artist in Charleston?
It’s very exciting! I started my business in Hawaii, and moved it over to Charleston at the beginning of last year. There were a lot of challenges that came with that, but a lot of excitement as well. Super 8 is growing in popularity on the east coast, and I’ve got the chance to be a part of the beginnings of that growth here! Charleston has so much to offer in terms of shooting locations and styles, so it’s fun to get creative and experiment in so many of the different beautiful settings. 

Do you think there’s a growing interest in film-based storytelling?
Absolutely. In a world of ultra-HD content, people are craving something more organic and nostalgic. The rich colors, grain, and light response of film create a visual texture that’s hard to replicate digitally. Super 8 also requires a slow, intentional approach, which sets it apart from the fast-paced nature of digital content.

What advice would you give to photographers or videographers curious about trying Super 8?
Start experimenting! Film is all about capture a feeling, not perfection. 

Also, as a side note—if you’re looking for guidance, check out my Super 8 Film Guide! When I was starting out, it was nearly impossible to find the information I needed, so I documented everything I learned and eventually turned it into a resource for others.

Do you have any rituals or must-have items when you’re shooting?
One thing I’m always SURE to do before shooting a roll is the ‘mark test’. When I open a new roll, I’ll literally mark the film with a pen, put the film in my camera to do a test shot, and take it out to make sure the mark has gone away. This means that the film is properly moving through the cartridge and through the camera. Sometimes the roll is wound so tightly that it’s ‘stuck’ and needs to be shaken a little to loosen it up! The mark test ensures that the film is loose and moving properly. 

What’s your favorite piece of gear in your Super 8 collection?
My favorite camera is my Canon 814 Autozoom Electronic. This camera has given me the most consistent results in my shooting, and has definitely been my most used cameras!

If you could shoot anywhere in the world with Super 8, where would it be?
Wow this is such a great question. I love shooting places with dramatic backgrounds (don’t we all?) because it translates so beautifully on film. The Dolomites are definitely a dream location for me!

What’s next for you as a Super 8 artist? Any exciting projects in the works?
So many exciting things! The biggest one is a film retreat I’m planning with a good friend who’s a film photographer. We’ll be announcing more details soon—stay tuned! 

Where can people see more of your work and connect with you?
Connect with me on instagram for sure, @summ_shine! And my website is www.summerlabelle.co 🙂