Table of Contents:

• What’s the Difference Between Film vs. Digital Wedding Photography?
• 5 Reasons to Take Your Wedding Photos on Film
• Film Wedding Photography FAQ’s
• Virginia Film Wedding Photography Packages + Pricing

Have you ever considered having your wedding day captured on film? Whether your answer is yes or no, you’re in the right place. Today, I’m sharing what makes film photography so unique and magical, and how much it elevates the story of your wedding day.

In an age of instant gratification, automation, and optimization, there’s something so beautiful about any opportunity we get to slow down. To be more intentional about the choices we make, the people we interact with, the small moments of beauty we notice around us—and that doesn’t stop on your wedding day. In fact, don’t you think your wedding day is the perfect chance to slow your pace, take it all in, and embrace the messiness, the chaos, the pieces of your life that aren’t “perfectly optimized” but perfectly imperfect?

Cheesy as hell, I know, but it’s true! I’m a believer that your wedding day deserves so much more than cookie-cutter decorations you saw a million times on Pinterest, posed photos that don’t really feel like you, and traditions that feel forced. Adding film photography to your wedding is a way to embrace the imperfections of the day; the moments that don’t go as planned, or the ones that go by in a blip that you can’t even remember the next day. Let’s talk about it a little more in-depth, shall we?

What’s the Difference Between Film vs. Digital Wedding Photography?

I know what you might be thinking: Megan, are you talking about film photography from, like, the 1900s?! That still exists? The answer is a big, fat yes! Film photography largely went away when digital photography was introduced and made mainstream in the early 2000s, but the technology never disappeared; in fact, it’s kind of been making a comeback in recent years.

If you’re confused about the difference between film and digital photography, let me break it down for you: Film photography captures images on light-sensitive film that need to be developed through a specific chemical process to be viewed, whereas digital photography uses electronic sensors to capture and store images that you can view right away. 

There are many different formats of film photography, but the two that I use on a consistent basis are instant film and 35mm film. 

Now what’s the difference between those, you might be wondering?

Instant film is what you get when you think of the classic Polaroid camera, which prints a photo from the camera, well, instantly! It’s the epitome of instant gratification, and was one of the coolest inventions in the world of photography when the first instant film cameras came out in the late 1940s. After being used to film cameras that took time to develop, how cool that you could just take a photo and see it immediately in your own hands, in a physical format?! Nowadays we have all kinds of instant film cameras that use different shapes and sizes of film (think: Instax Minis, Instax Squares, etc.), and you can choose from either black & white or color film.

35mm film is the standard film format used in most photography and filmmaking, using film rolls that typically have space for 24 or 36 images (or technically “exposures”). This format was actually first introduced wayyyy back in the late 1800s by Thomas Edison and his assistant, so it’s been around a while! It got its name because each exposure on a film strip is 35mm wide. 35mm film comes in both black and white or color, and it’s my personal favorite film format to use on wedding days.

5 Reasons to Take Your Wedding Photos on Film

Want to know why I’m so obsessed with film? Here are all the reasons it can really up-level your wedding gallery, and why it adds such a unique and magical touch to your wedding memories.

1. For the nostalgia

If there is one reason why film is becoming trendy again, it’s probably the nostalgia factor. People LOVE the nostalgia of film photography, and the memories it brings back of past eras—the way the gritty photos remind you of old photo albums your grandparents had, the classic film tones that immediately remind you of the good ol’ days of your childhood. . . I mean, there’s a reason so many of us love to put film filters on our photos. 

Plus, the aesthetic of film is timeless and super romantic, and I don’t even mean romantic in a lovey-dovey couple way: I mean romantic in the sense that film really helps you romanticize your life! It captures the little everyday details, and transforms them into moments of nostalgia that you realize you should be treasuring in the present—not just looking back on years down the line. Nothing beats the feeling of looking through film photos and feeling that sense of warmth in your heart, as you remember the fond memories that you are so lucky to have captured forever.

2. For the imperfections

I truly love the imperfections of film so much, and the way that even an objectively shitty film photo can still look incredible. Film photography forces you to be okay with things not turning out perfectly, with the lighting or angle or focus not being exactly what you expected. Because with film cameras, you only have so much control over settings—they have a mind of their own, and that’s honestly kinda the beauty of it all. The limited number of photos you can take removes the pressure to capture the “perfect” image, and helps you embrace the imperfections and flaws that simply come with being human. And honestly, this is such a good thing to remember on your wedding day, when you feel as though everything has to be beautiful and seamless to be worthwhile. Film reminds you of the magic that comes alive in the mess!

3. For the intentionality

Just as film forces you to slow down, it also forces you to be intentional with every shot. You don’t have endless opportunities to “get the shot” on a film camera like you do a digital one—which means you have to set each one up with care, thought, and focus. You really have to consider what matters most about this photo: is it the way your hair looks? The angle of your face? Probably not. . . it’s probably the love you feel standing next to your partner on the best day of your lives; the soft touch of their hand wrapped in yours as you look into their eyes and feel so content. This is what I’ll aim to capture in your film photos, and what holds the most importance when you look back at them for years to come.

4. For the variety

Having a variety of both film and digital photos in your final gallery means you have so many amazing angles, lighting scenarios, colors, tones, and emotions represented in the story of your wedding day. Certain moments and situations just come through more powerfully in film than digital, so to be able to have every moment captured for maximum impact is such a gift! Variety and diversity in your images is a huge part of my style of storytelling, and will give you and your loved ones a really amazing journey to go on as you look through the narrative of your special day. Plus, who doesn’t love having physical, instant film to bring home and put in a photo album, or hang up in a frame?

Want to see an example of a wedding gallery that includes both digital and film? Courtney and Kevin chose to add on film photography, and I am SO glad they did. Check out their gorgeous day (and their warm, romantic film photos) here!

5. For the tangible keepsakes

Speaking of instant film, I always include both the original physical versions and digital copies in your package! This way, you can download your film onto your phone and share it on social media/with loved ones, as well as frame them at home. If you add 35mm film to your package, you’ll receive digital copies included in your gallery, as well as 4×6 print outs of each image, courtesy of moi, that you can then add to an album or display to your liking. Having these tangible memories from your wedding day is truly the best way to preserve each moment in a meaningful, intentional way—rather than just scrolling through your iPhone photo album every time you want to look at your photos. 

Film Wedding Photography FAQ’s

Next, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and answer some questions you might have about documenting your wedding day on film.

What film cameras do you use?

I personally love to use 35mm film on my Canon EOS 3. It’s the perfect format for capturing all the little moments and details of a wedding day, in addition to the big moments that can’t be missed. I also love my Instax SQ40 for instant film photography, which prints photos on 62mm x 62mm square film (either color or black & white)! I’ve included photos from both cameras below to show you the differences.

How many rolls of film do we need for our full wedding day?

It depends on the amount of coverage you’re hiring me for and your personal preferences! I currently include either 2 packs of instant film or 1 roll of 35mm with a deluxe wedding package upgrade. Or you can add either film option on as an a-la-carte add on! In my experience, 2 rolls of 35mm or 2 packs of instant film is the sweet spot for a full wedding day. I guarantee a minimum of 20 images per roll of 35mm film purchased, and 10 instant film images per pack purchased.

When will we receive our film photos back? How long does it take to develop?

For both the 35mm and instant film, you’ll receive your photos at the same time as the rest of your digital images, inside the same gallery for easy access. I personally scan your film by hand to include them in your gallery, and my average turnaround time is between 6-9 weeks depending on the season. But rest assured—they’re worth the wait. All of the physical copies of your film will be mailed out to you and your partner within 2 weeks of your final gallery delivery! 

Do you shoot both film and digital yourself?

Yes! I like to hybrid shoot on wedding days, meaning I shoot all of my film and digital myself, rather than hiring it out to someone else. This way, you can be sure that your film will be photographed with my creative eye and style, just as your digital photos are. But please note, if you choose to add more than 2 rolls of 35mm film into your package I will likely need to hire an assistant for the day. This is to be sure I can focus on getting the most important images during the day myself without having to disrupt my creative flow by constantly switching between cameras.

Will you edit our film photos?

The lab that develops my 35mm film photos provides color correction to each and every image, ensuring that your photos are consistent with my preferred style of film photography. Once I receive your images back, I personally make additional minor adjustments to polish off your photos. The natural grit, grain, and imperfections of film photography are really what make it special, so I’ll never get rid of that; my typical edits include adjusting the crop and straightening, and editing out any minor blemishes or distractions in your images before sending them your way.

Can we print our film wedding photos?

Of course! In fact, I highly recommend it. Having physical, tangible versions of your wedding photos (both digital and film) is such a gift, and makes the visual story of your day so much more special to look through. I personally print all of your 35mm film photos on a standard 4×6 image and mail them to you after your wedding gallery has been delivered. But if you have a favorite that you want even larger, you are more welcome to print any of your images to your liking! Whether you frame your favorite shots, or take the time to design an album that you can keep on your coffee table for years to come, I always recommend turning your photos into meaningful, lifelong keepsakes.

How much do film photos cost?

I offer film as an add on to my regular Virginia wedding packages! Your film investment depends on the type of film you’d like to add to your package, as well as how many hours of coverage you book me for. My couples typically invest between $200-400 on film photography. This cost covers the purchase, development, scanning, printing, and delivery of all of your film.

Virginia Film Wedding Photography Packages + Pricing

See why I adore film photography so much? It’s an incredibly heartfelt, purposeful, and timeless way to preserve and honor your memories as the precious gift they are. And as a Virginia film wedding photographer, I always get SO excited when couples add film to their package! If you’re drawn to the nostalgia and romance of film like I am, take a look at my packages for further investment info. Reach out here for a personalized estimate specific to your unique day—I’m so excited to meet you, and document your wedding day the way it deserves!