My Film Photography Philosophy for Wedding Days
Film photography is the part of my business I love most.
While I am happy to document days only on digital cameras for my clients who prefer it, my heart really does sing when I get to work with couples who want anything from a film add on but mostly digital services, to couples who want their day documented entirely on film.
Whenever a couple adds on film, I always include in the investment a second photographer to accompany me as my “film associate”. They ensure all the one time moments, like your first kiss or walk down the aisle, are documented on film while I document them on digital for safety. Then during all the in between moments & portraits both of us can bounce back & forth between digital & film as we please.
Why do we do this?
I love film so much I want couples to essentially get a smaller film album within their greater digital album. I want your whole day to be remembered on both mediums.
Meg & Ryan who are featured in this album got hybrid digital & film services. I am only sharing the film in this blog post though to show how my team ensures you get strong, consistent, beautiful photos that tell your day in an analog matter. When you work with me, you will not just get a roll or two of film. You will get your whole story.
Some of these images above & below demonstrate why I have my associate document moments on film, while I document them digitally for safety.
Unbeknownst to us, my associates camera had a light leak that it did not have the time she used it before. Stuff like this happens when you are working with cameras that are 50 years old. All of Meg & Ryan’s one time memories like the first look & ceremony are still documented “perfectly” on digital also.
but if you ask me, I think there is a lot of magic to the “imperfections” some film glitches provide. It makes a uniquely artist image that digital cannot replicate.
& don’t worry – these malfunctions are rare. In the 37 weddings I documented in 2025, only 3 had any issues with our film cameras. I even documented three celebrations entirely on film, with no digital backup, & had no problems. I share these light leaked & double exposed images though to 1) educate, yes, malfunctions can occur & 2) encourage that if you are like me & love them regardless, the risk of an all film wedding is oh so worth it!
We are not foolish though. I would never intentionally work on a camera that needs repair.
Since we do not know how images will turn out till they get developed, I always work on at least 3 different film cameras at one time when I am doing an all film celebration on my own. If I am with my film associates, then they have at least 2 film cameras on at all times, & I do also. We do this to spread the risk, ensuring that even if one our film cameras has a problem, it is not like all your images would be remembered on that camera!
The double exposure above is another unintentional magic made my the film camera gods.
It occurred on the same camera that was light leaking without our knowledge. Of course my associate sent this camera to get fixed after we got these back, but the character of this moment recessing as husband & wife, & the venue they intentionally chose to celebrate their love is oh so special.
Film captures the feeling of a wedding dinner party with such authenticity, it gives me chills.
When I saw Meg & some of her favorite people yapping outside the bathroom, I decided to document it on both digital & film.
While the digital was beautiful, it did not carry the same sense of nostalgia this film photo did. In this film photo you can feel the memories, not just the one made here, but the history these friendships hold in childhood sleepovers, & stressing over what to text their crushes. Film was the superior medium for this moment.
Now for the after party!!
