How to Film a Ketubah Signing: Essential Tips for Capturing This Meaningful Tradition

Filming a ketubah signing is one of the most intimate and meaningful parts of a Jewish wedding. This tradition, which takes place before the ceremony, involves the couple, their closest family members, witnesses, and the officiant. Because it typically occurs in a small, separate room away from the main ceremony guests, having the right approach as a videographer is essential. Here’s how I film ketubah signings to create an emotional and beautifully crafted wedding film.

1. Use Two Cameras for Comprehensive Coverage

A ketubah signing is a close-quarters event, meaning space is limited—especially if you're working alongside a photographer. To capture it effectively, I use two cameras:

• A stationary camera to ensure a consistent wide shot of the entire signing.

• A gimbal-mounted camera for mobility, allowing me to move seamlessly between reactions, details, and b-roll.

This setup ensures I don’t miss any of the emotions while keeping a minimal footprint in the room.

2. Proper Audio Setup is Key

Audio is just as important as video when it comes to the ketubah signing. I recommend:

• Lavalier mics on the rabbi and at least one of the couple. Since they’re close together, a single mic on one partner can usually pick up both voices, but micing both ensures the best quality.

• A handheld mic to pass around for family members who may want to say something meaningful. This makes post-production easier when incorporating heartfelt moments into the wedding film.

3. Be Mindful of Space and Angles

Because the ketubah signing happens in a small room, positioning is everything. I place my stationary camera in a corner to get a full view of the table while keeping my moving camera at an angle that allows for quick reaction shots. Avoid blocking the photographer’s view—communicating with them before the signing starts ensures you both get the best shots without interfering with each other.

4. Capture the Details

Some of the most beautiful moments in a ketubah signing come from the small details:

• The intricate artwork and text of the ketubah itself.

• The couple’s hands as they sign the document.

• Emotional exchanges between family members.

• The rabbi’s expressions as they guide the couple through the tradition.

B-roll of these elements enhances the storytelling aspect of the final film.

5. Anticipate Key Moments

Unlike the ceremony, a ketubah signing doesn’t follow a rigid format, so being prepared for spontaneous moments is crucial. Pay close attention to the rabbi’s pacing and cues—these will signal when an important exchange is about to happen, ensuring you’re ready to capture the moment.

6. Edit Thoughtfully to Weave the Story Together

In post-production, I blend footage from both cameras to create a seamless flow between wide-angle coverage and close-up reactions. I incorporate soft, natural transitions that match the solemn yet celebratory mood of the signing.

Watch a Real Ketubah Signing Film

To see these techniques in action, check out Ariel and Jason’s Ketubah Signing & Ceremony Film at Perona Farms. This beautiful venue provided the perfect setting for their wedding day, and I was honored to document such an important moment in their journey.

See the Full Wedding Film

For a highlight reel that incorporates footage from their ketubah signing into the full wedding day story, watch Ariel and Jason’s Highlight Film.

Considering Perona Farms for Your Wedding?

If you're planning a wedding at Perona Farms and want a videographer who understands the significance of Jewish traditions like the ketubah signing, I’d love to document your day.

[Fill out the contact form below] to inquire about availability and package options!

Why I Bring My Pentax 6x7 to Photograph Weddings: A Photographer’s Perspective

When it comes to wedding photography, choosing the right equipment is critical. I consistently rely on my Pentax 6x7 medium format camera, always paired with the 105mm f/2.4 lens and an ND filter, for capturing timeless moments. While digital photography reigns in convenience, shooting film on medium format brings unparalleled depth, richness, and emotion to a wedding day. Let me explain why this combination is my go-to for weddings.

The Beauty of Medium Format Film

One of the main reasons I choose my Pentax 6x7 is because of the distinctive look it offers. The medium format produces images that are softer, more organic, and carry a cinematic quality that digital can’t always replicate. It emphasizes textures, lighting, and colors in a way that feels more tactile and real. For daytime shoots, I rely on Kodak Portra 400 for its balanced, natural tones, perfect for outdoor ceremonies and engagement sessions. As the evening rolls in and light becomes dimmer, I switch to Kodak Portra 800, a film that handles lower light while still delivering that beautiful depth and detail.

Take a look at the recent engagement session I photographed in Tarrytown, NY—notice the way the colors pop with a natural vibrancy, from the subtle hues of the mural backdrop to the soft glow around the couple’s skin. Whether under bright daylight or the soft twilight of an evening, Portra film delivers a timeless and consistent quality.

The Importance of the 105mm f/2.4 Lens

Pairing my Pentax 6x7 with the 105mm f/2.4 lens is a choice rooted in versatility and creativity. This lens, known for its sharpness and beautiful depth of field, allows me to create images where the subject truly stands out. The creamy bokeh it produces, especially wide open at f/2.4, creates a natural separation between the couple and their background, giving each image a dreamy, romantic quality.

This lens is especially perfect for intimate moments like a couple’s embrace or close-up shots of rings and delicate details. In weddings, where emotions are raw and the moments are fleeting, the 105mm’s focal length allows me to stay at a comfortable distance while capturing all the emotion and intensity in a scene.

Why I Use an ND Filter

Using an ND filter (neutral density filter) is crucial when shooting with film, particularly when working with the wide aperture of the 105mm f/2.4 lens in bright conditions. Often, wedding ceremonies take place outdoors during the day, where the natural light can be overpowering. Without the ND filter, I’d need to stop down the aperture to balance the exposure, but that would compromise the beautiful shallow depth of field this lens offers.

The ND filter allows me to shoot wide open, even in full sunlight, maintaining the soft, blurred background that makes my subjects pop. It gives me control over the light, ensuring that I capture every moment exactly as I envision it, without losing the qualities that make medium format film so special.

The Intentionality of Every Shot

In a world where digital photography can result in hundreds of throwaway shots, shooting on medium format film is deliberate. Each frame counts. With just 10 exposures per roll of 120 film, I approach every shot with precision and care. It’s a philosophy that mirrors the significance of the day itself: every interaction, every smile, every exchange of vows deserves attention and focus.

This intentionality is something I believe my couples appreciate—there’s a certain trust that develops when they know that I am fully present with every shot I take. Film slows the process down, allowing for more thoughtfulness and less distraction.

Timeless, Lasting Quality

Film photography is timeless. With digital images, trends and editing styles can shift with the seasons, but the look of film remains classic. The shots I capture on my Pentax 6x7 feel enduring, making them perfect for a wedding, which is itself an enduring moment in a couple’s life. Decades from now, the couple will be able to look back at their photos with a sense of nostalgia, not for the trends of the moment, but for the genuine emotions of the day.

Just look at the images I took near the lighthouse. The richness of the tones, the soft gradient between light and shadow—these are characteristics that are hard to replicate digitally without a lot of post-production effort. Yet with film, they’re inherent.

The Element of Surprise

Another benefit is the element of surprise. Unlike digital photography, where you can immediately review the results, film forces you to wait for the development process. It adds an extra layer of excitement for both me and the couple. I’ve found that this anticipation brings the couple even closer to their images—they know that what they’ll receive will be something special and unique.

Merging Artistry with Technology

While I primarily shoot film during weddings, I also incorporate digital photography to ensure that I capture every angle and moment. This blending of traditional artistry with modern technology gives my couples the best of both worlds: they’ll have the candid convenience of digital, combined with the romantic timelessness of film. It’s a balance that speaks to today’s couples who value experiences and moments over volume and excess.

The engagement photos from this session—whether it’s the quiet moments shared by the water or the playful portrait of their dog wearing a “Humans Getting Married” bandana—demonstrate how film captures both the big moments and the small details with equal importance.

Why This Matters for My Clients

Weddings are a whirlwind of emotions, love, and celebration. My role is to capture that whirlwind in a way that speaks to the heart and soul of the day. My Pentax 6x7, paired with the 105mm f/2.4 lens and ND filter, helps me deliver on that promise. I believe the quality and artistry of film resonate deeply with couples who value the finer details, those who cherish the authenticity and depth of the experience over fast results.

For my clients it’s about more than just pictures. It’s about preserving the beauty of their wedding day in a way that feels personal, intimate, and everlasting.

As an experienced wedding photographer, I aim to create a blend of artistry and storytelling through my lens, capturing those once-in-a-lifetime moments with a medium that’s as meaningful as the day itself. The Pentax 6x7 enables me to do just that, producing images that will be cherished for a lifetime.

By blending film and digital photography, I offer a comprehensive package that resonates with those who appreciate both creativity and craft, ensuring that their wedding is remembered in the most authentic, beautiful way possible.

This approach has allowed me to continuously capture the emotions, joy, and love in a way that feels classic, yet modern. I look forward to bringing this artistry to many more weddings, including yours.