I’m obsessed with film, which is why I incorporate it into all of my work. I started shooting film in 2018, after the birth of my first baby. I’d already been shooting weddings for about 5 years, but was looking for something to challenge myself with – something to elevate my work – something to draw me in. I was captivated by the ethereal look of film photos I saw published online and in print, and I decided to try it. I jumped in head first, bought a Contax 645, and the rest is history.

Immediately, I was hooked. The softness, texture, and colors of my film photography allowed me to fall in love with weddings all over again. I was completely captivated by it, and remain so to this day. I love it’s inherent softness, its rich dimension, and its vivid colors. It’s intimate and artistic, and every step of the process is something I enjoy.

There’s something really rewarding about the tactile experience of loading and shooting film. Your hands creating each shot, loading the film, packaging it up. It’s intimate, practiced. A connection between me and my equipment that simply doesn’t exist between a digital camera and myself. And it has taught me that quality over quantity is key. After all, film photos cost about $3 apiece. That can really stack up, especially when compared do digital which is unlimited and practically free (once you’ve bought the equipment). But I love the challenge. I love biding my time and waiting for the perfect moment to push the shutter button. I love manually focusing my lens to get the image exactly how I want it. Simply put, shooting on film forces me to slow down and anticipate a moment. It’s shown me how to be more mindful and present, which allows me to capture more authentic and emotional moments between my couples and their loved ones.

One of the final things I love about shooting weddings with film cameras is that the results are timeless. Unlike digital files, which can quickly become outdated and lose their appeal, film photos seem to transcend time. The aesthetic of film has remained consistent over the decades, and its unique qualities continue to evoke a sense of nostalgia and romance. Weddings I photographed 5+ years ago look just as beautiful and relevant today as one I shot last weekend. This is because film doesn’t follow the same fast-paced trends and technological advancements that digital photography does, so the style and look of the photos don’t become dated as quickly.

If you love film so much, why even bother with digital cameras?

Good question. While I do love film, there’s a time and a place to use it. The main reason I don’t shoot everything on film? The cost. It’s about $3 per photo after all is said and done, and while I definitely think it’s worth it, I also need to bring home a paycheck at the end of the day.

There’s also light and conditions to take into consideration. Shooting film requires a lot of light, and there are many situations that are simply too dark to use film. Film is also a slower, more methodical practice and weddings can be anything but that! For fast-paced moments, digital cameras are my go-to.

Technology is advancing every day, and the longer I do this, the better I get at color-matching my digital images to look like film. Unless you have a good deal of photography experience, you probably won’t be able to tell the difference between the two in your gallery. Your photos will have a seamless feel, but will benefit from my use of both cameras.

Okay backup. What even is film?

Film photography refers to the process of capturing and developing images using film. In film photography, a camera records images on film stock, which is then processed and developed in a dark room or lab, using chemicals to reveal the captured image. Film cameras are different from digital cameras, which uses an electronic sensor to capture images. Digital images, in my experience, tend to be sharper, easier to adjust, and unlimited in terms of amount of photos you can take. While these are all characteristics that can be useful, I personally find the imperfection of film more captivating – therefore, I try to emulate the essence of film in all of my digital images.

Let’s see more examples of film photos!

What do you shoot on film and what do you shoot on digital?

I shoot on both digital and film cameras, as there are different scenarios that are better depending on the camera. For artistic portraits, beautiful detail shots, and special moments throughout the wedding day, I will often shoot more heavily with my film camera. However, I always shoot digital photos as backups, just in case, and have a second-shooter taking digital photos as well. Digital photography is key because of the quickness I can capture images on it, as well as the versatility of a digital camera – the photos can look good no matter what the lighting conditions are or how fast-paced something is happening. While film is more technical and methodical, I will say I prefer my film images and always wait to develop my digital files until the film scans come in – I then try to edit the digital files so they match the film as closely as possible.

How do I get the film photos onto my phone / computer?

When delivering film images to my clients, they are viewed on the computer screen exactly like the digital files. Sometimes people are confused about that, but there’s a process to get them in a digital .jpg format. After I shoot film, I will overnight the rolls to my film lab (Photovision). They develop the film for me, and then scan it in using a high-tech film scanner. Once it’s uploaded on their end, they send me a link and I take over again from there.

What’s in my bag?

Although I believe that the gear doesn’t make you a great photographer – the person behind the gear is what matters, I also think it’s helpful to share what I shoot with. I shoot on a Contax 645 camera with an 80mm Zeiss lens. I also have a 45mm lens for my Contax, but I rarely use it. I shoot on Portra 400 – I used to use Fuji until they discontinued it. I am a Portra girl now! I’m currently not shooting with a 35mm camera, since my Canon 1V broke, but I might get it fixed one of these days so I can take more “fun” shots with that!

Did I miss anything?

Leave your questions in the comments if I missed something!