Should You Include Film Photography in Your Wedding or Elopement?
Should You Include Film Photography in Your Wedding or Elopement?
You’ve carefully chosen your venue, curated every detail of your day, and found the perfect photographer (hi, it’s me!) - so now you might be wondering:
Should we include film photography in our wedding, elopement, or engagement session?
It’s a question I hear often from couples who are drawn to the charm of analog, the softness of the tones, the timeless beauty, and the nostaligic feeling that film brings.
Let’s explore the differences between digital and film photography, why some couples choose to include both, and whether film might be the perfect fit for your celebration.
The Difference Between Digital & Film
Both mediums are beautiful - but they offer different strengths.
Digital Photography
- Fast, flexible, and dynamic
- Ideal for fast-moving moments, low light, and capturing lots of variety
- Allows for instant feedback and on-the-spot adjustments
- What I use as the foundation of your wedding or session gallery
Film Photography
- Each frame is intentional—meticulously composed and exposed
- Rich, creamy skin tones with soft highlights and a dreamy grain
- Beautiful for capturing details, portraits, and light-filled scenes
- A nostalgic feeling that can’t be fully replicated using digital photography
Why Couples Choose Film
Film isn’t just a look - it’s a feeling.
Including film in your photography coverage brings a sense of romance and artistry. It slows things down just enough to be present. And for couples who care deeply about the way their story is captured, film offers a layer of beauty and intention that elevates your final gallery.
Here are a few reasons couples fall in love with it:
- Aesthetic: That luminous, creamy, almost glowing quality
- Emotion: Film feels tactile and nostalgic—it stirs something familiar
- Editorial Quality: Perfect for those timeless portraits and detail shots that belong in a magazine
- Legacy: There’s a certain weight to knowing your moments were captured on real, tangible film
When Film Is the Perfect Fit
Film isn’t required - but for the right couple, it’s magic.
You might love adding film to your day if:
- You’re drawn to fine art aesthetics and timeless beauty
- You want a gallery that feels elevated and editorial
- You appreciate thoughtful composition and don’t mind a slower pace for some portraits
- You’re choosing outdoor or naturally lit spaces where film thrives (think: vineyards, coastlines, gardens, rooftops, redwoods...)
I offer hybrid coverage - meaning I shoot a mix of digital and film during your session or wedding day. Film can be added to any wedding, elopement, or portrait session as an à la carte upgrade. I also offer a film add-on that includes a dedicated film photographer for those who want their entire day on film.
Personally, I will be having a dedicated film photographer at my own future wedding/elopement events. As a photographer, there are very few things as satisfying to me as a good film photo. Knowing that moment was captured authentically and raw - in a format that isn't easily manipulated - is invaluable.
My Approach to Film
I shoot both 35mm and medium format film and a range of film stocks, mostly Portra 400 and 800, depending on the lighting, scene, and story we’re telling. These aren’t random snapshots - they are carefully composed, hand-metered, and developed by a professional lab. Film is woven seamlessly into your day, used when the light is right and the moment calls for something just a little more magical.
Because of its intentional nature, I use film selectively - think of it as the champagne toast of your gallery: refined, celebratory, and beautifully memorable. 🍾
For the Couple Who Values Art & Emotion
The couples who work with me aren’t looking for trendy filters or generic poses. They want imagery that feels like them, told with a sense of artistry and soul. Including film photography in your session or wedding is one way to honor that.
Final Thoughts
If you’re dreaming of photos that feel timeless, tender, and just a little bit cinematic - film might be the perfect touch. And if you’re not sure? That’s okay, too. I’ll guide you every step of the way.
Whether you choose digital, film, or a little of both, my goal is always the same: to tell your story with care, beauty, and intention.
Interested in adding film to your session or wedding day?
Let’s chat about how it can bring your vision to life.