Why You Should Hire a Film Wedding Photographer

As a film photographer for over 15 years and film wedding photographer for over 6, people always ask me why film? I’ve heard “isn’t it expensive?” and “isn’t digital easier?” I understand the hesitation because film might not be for everyone. But while I also photograph digitally as well, film will always have my heart. Film is a feeling that, when done correctly, tells the story and heart beat of the day that digital will never replicate.

There is a soul to film photography.  It’s an art form and medium on its own. The perfect blues, the beautiful grain, and even the “mistakes” turn into something ethereal. For me, film isn’t just a hobby and definitely not a fad. It’s an art that I have mastered through years of studying, experimentation, trial and error, and genuine passion. I bring this passion to every wedding that I photograph, blending technical skill with an artistic eye, documenting your once-in-a-lifetime moments in a deeply emotive medium. Digital photography is important to master, as I have, but my artistic medium is film photography. I’m excited to share why I can always nerd out on film photography and why you might want to hire a film photographer for your wedding day. If you’re someone who appreciates and understand music on vinyl, heirloom items that share a piece of history, and find yourself attracted to museums and galleries just to look at art, then you’re someone who will fall in love with film too.

My First Experience with Film Photography 

Not many people know this, but I actually have a BFA in photography! I spent years honing my skills, studying the masters, and developing my own personal style. In my freshman year, I shot my very first roll of film. I used a Holga, essentially a plastic toy camera, and wandered around Queens, taking photos of whatever caught my interest. Against my professor’s suggestions, I developed the roll in a black and white darkroom (which, yes, is a whole different process than developing color film rolls!). 

I was so excited. There was something about the anticipation, the experimentation, not knowing how things would turn out. And when I finally saw the images… well, I was hooked. There wasn’t a single perfect black and white strip among the final images, but they came out funky and unique and so cool. I ended up using some of those very first film photos in my first year art show! I knew from that moment that no matter where my life took me, I would be using a film camera to document the moments that mattered most to me. And now, I get to use that passion to document the moments that matter most to you, too! 

Experimenting with Different Styles of Film

During my time working on my BFA in Photography, I experimented and created work with 35mm film, medium format, large format, and every film camera I could get my hands on. I learned the processes from exposure to developing, from scanning to printing. It was a creative, but also a technical and scientific process. Through pushing the envelope and creating documentary and photojournalistic projects on film, I found a love of documenting peoples stories on creative film.

When I started my wedding photography business in 2019, I knew I would always combine my film medium with documenting peoples journeys and stories. My first wedding I fully photographed on medium format, using my Hasselblad camera. It felt creative and inspiring and the start of a beautiful journey.

Becoming a Full-Time Film Wedding Photographer 

Now, six years into my full-time wedding photography business and 15 years working with film, I work as a hybrid wedding photographer, working with both film and digital photography, including Polaroids and Super 8 Videography. We’re known for unique, out-of-the-box weddings, emotive images, and capturing the genuine feeling of a wedding. For me, film wedding photography is all about the process of creation, waiting to rediscover the delight of each wedding, and then putting all the pieces together. Digital photos show you what happened. Film photos show you how it felt. 

Common Questions about Film Wedding Photography 

Are all film photos grainy and underexposed? 

Absolutely not. Film is really popular in the wedding industry right now, which means a lot of people have picked it up for the first time. This is amazing, but many people don’t have the experience or technical skill to use film to its highest potential. When done correctly, film is just as sharp, detailed, and filled with color. Some films have more grain than others and the choices photographers make when exposing film can create a wide spectrum of looks.

What film and cameras do you use? 

I work with both 35mm film and medium format with my Pentax and Hasselblad. I use medium format for sharp, creamy portraits and usually more in the beginning of the day. Medium format films capture beautiful skin tones and an editorial, high-end energy. I often switch to 35mm film by cocktail hour for a little more of a documentary vibe. 35mm film is quicker, more versatile, and even has more images per roll. Both film types are beautiful and so important to my work.

I’ve heard film is a slower process. Isn’t using it riskier? What happens if you miss a special moment?

While these are valid concerns… I’ve been shooting film for 15 years. My margin of error is basically nonexistant at this point, and I always have at least two backups in case of a camera malfunction! (Would I really be a Capricorn if I didn’t have backups for my backups?) Any risk that can come with film photography on a wedding day is avoided with film and camera backups, a second photographer, and digital photography that supplements your film gallery. But with high risk comes high reward. Film photography is about creating art. Your wedding photos are a family heirloom for generations to come! As your wedding photographer, I take my responsibility to capture your memories very seriously. I’ve trained for years to flawlessly capture your memories in a richly detailed, emotive medium that you can cherish forever. 

Do I get fewer photos with a film wedding photographer? 

You might receive fewer photos in your overall gallery, but I guarantee that you will receive more photos that you actually want to keep. Film is about quality over quantity. If you’re like me, you don’t want to sift through thousands of photos to find the ones you want to hang on your walls, share with family, and show your children one day. You would rather have a more condensed collection of photos, curated by a professional, that tells the story and the genuine feeling of your day. Film photography feels like a piece of art and a piece of history at the same time. Your film photos will capture the grand moments along with the small ones with that gorgeous light, contrasting colors, and beautiful grain that digital just does not deliver.

Doesn’t developing film take forever? When will they actually get back to me? 

Believe it or not, film photos take less time than a full digital gallery! Once I’ve sent your film to the lab, I get it back within two to three weeks. Then, I do small edits and send them right to you! I often send your film gallery as a sneak peek while I continue editing your digital photos. This way, you can have a beautiful, cohesive final wedding gallery.

Film Wedding Photographer Serving the East Coast & Beyond!

Here’s the truth. Film wedding photography might not be for everyone. But if you’ve always enjoyed thumbing through your grandparents’ wedding album, taken a moment to appreciate the grain on a specific photo, or catch yourself admiring the feeling a photo gives you, film photography is for you. If you love strolling through museums, picking through a flea market, and stopping to watch a street artist paint, film is definitely for you. And if your goal for your wedding photos isn’t just to share them online, but to print heirloom albums and hang quality prints in your home for years to come… film is definitely for you. 

If you’ve enjoyed how I describe my process and loved seeing an example of what you’ll receive at the end, let’s chat! Explore our film wedding photography services, and inquire if you want heirloom wedding photos. The best part of being a film wedding photographer is connecting with others who appreciate the beauty and artistry of film photography.