October 12, 2022
Film is not dead. In fact, wedding film photography is making a comeback. Honestly, I AM HERE FOR IT.
Imagine the feeling you get when you get your wedding photos back from your photographer. Now imagine when you see the fun, candid photos on film with a vintage touch that nobody else has. Those moments on film are priceless!
Film is a form of art that captures your love story with a vintage, nostalgic twist.
2 REASONS WHY WEDDING FILM PHOTOGRAPH IS THE BEST WAY TO CAPTURE THOSE INTIMATE MEMORIES
This is your sign to capture your wedding on film. Have your photographer capture fun, nostalgic moments on their film camera OR set disposable film cameras on your wedding reception tables. Capture those wild, crazy moments on the dance floor with a nostalgic twist.
Here are some reasons you should incorporate film into your Wedding Day.
ONE | FILM MAKES YOU FEEL
If you spend any time on my website or social media platforms, you will notice that I have been adding in quite a bit of wedding film photography. Honestly, it has completely changed my business mindset for the better. As a wedding and elopement photographer based in Arizona, shooting in 35mm film makes me slow down and be more mindful of what I capture.
I often find myself being more creative when I get to shoot film vs digital.
The feeling of snapping a photograph in film with the hope it will turn out is UNMATCHED. It is the most fun and cool part of the job. Digital photography is great, but it will never create that particular feeling.
TWO | FILM PHOTOGRAPHY COLORS
The thing that draws me to capture images on film is all the film colors the photographs produced. We all know there are a million different presets to edit on but re-creating a film image… you just can’t do it. IT’S A ONE-OF-A-KIND IMAGE!
Film offers a dreamy, vintage look that is truly magical. My favorite thing about film is the warm “Natural Skin Tones” and gorgeous green colors that give off a romantic quality to the image. Film is unmatched.
I specifically love shooting in film in the high sun because film softens the photos on even the brightest of days. For example, shooting film in Sedona on a bright sunny day, the reds and greens are softer.
Candid photos are my favorite shots from a wedding day. Now image, film candid shots… There is something about it that gives it such a fun vintage, nostalgic flare that digital can not recreate. Now don’t get me wrong, I still shoot the majority of the day on digital, but adding in some portraits of film… gives the photos a nostalgic look.
TAKE A LOOK AT MY ADD-ON PACKAGE
FAVORITE FILM ROLLS FOR WEDDING FILM PHOTOGRAPHY
Film typically has 24-36 exposures in each film roll.
A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER’S FAVORITE ROLLS
Porta 400 (fan favorite)
Porta 160 (colors are duller than the 400)
Kodak Gold 200 (cheaper version of the Porta 400)
Ektar 100 (pinker skin tones)
Amber T800 Tungsten (repackage cinematic causes more light leaks)
OTHER IDEAS FOR WEDDING FILM PHOTOGRAPHY
If you would rather your photographer shoots your wedding solely digitally, that is okay! There are other ways that you can incorporate wedding film photography into your special day.
My favorite way is by bringing a bunch of disposable film cameras and setting them at your wedding tables.
Let all your guests capture all the fun candid moments on film during all the dancing. When the night is over, make sure people leave the film cameras on the table and you can develop the film yourself.
You can also bring a disposable film camera for your photographer to use throughout the day and be in charge of developing the film yourself. Deciding on which disposable camera is deciding on if you like Fujifilm or Kodak colors.
DISPOSABLE FILM CAMERAS
Fujifilm Quicksnap Flash 400
Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 Black and White Negative Film
HP5 Plus Single-Use Camera
Kodak Single Use 35mm Disposable Camera
HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR FILM
One question a lot of people still ask me is, where do you even get your film developed?
You would be surprised in your area, that there will be at least one place that develops film and if you live in a small town that does not have a film store, you can easily ship your film off to a film lab.
FOR ARIZONA LOCALS
For all my local Phoenix, Arizona photographers or brides looking for a place to get their film developed, my favorite film lab is located right in Scottsdale, AZ at Wilson’s Camera. If you are new to film or looking to get into film, don’t hesitate and check out this film store. They have a bunch of film cameras for purchase, all the different types of film rolls, and are very knowledgeable on everything film.
The other film store that is in Phoenix is located right near the ASU campus in Tempe, AZ called TCR Photo Imaging.
TIPS AND TRICKS
Developing film is pretty simple.
When you find a place that develops film, all you have to do is drop off the film, choose what format you want the photo to be in, and have the film lab scan your photos so you can retrieve them online via google docs or WeTransfer. You can even get your photos physically printed off like how our parents used to back in the old days.
Let’s keep these film traditions alive!
If you believe in timeless images, don’t hesitate and incorporate film into your wedding. I truly believe that film is not a trend, it’s a staple. Film has been around for ages with our parents’ and grandparents’ weddings shot on film etc. Why not incorporate some family heirlooms of yourself on your wedding day so your kids can see the generations of wedding portraits on film?
The reaction I have when I get my film photos developed…I feel like a kid during Christmas. Now, are you intrigued to see more film photography OR add in film for your wedding day?
