Your Wedding on Film

Film photography has made a beautiful resurgence in the wedding industry, with more photographers embracing its timeless, luminous quality. But as much as I love seeing film become more mainstream, there’s an unsettling trend that needs to be addressed—the decline in quality when it comes to film images. Too often, I see film photos that are underexposed, muddy, and far from the elegant, true-to-colour results that film is meant to produce.

I’ve been blending film into my workflow for over seven years now, long before it became trendy. My journey with film started in 2017 when I fully immersed myself in learning the craft. I invested in courses from some of the best in the industry, like, KT Merry, Erich McVey, and spent years perfecting my metering, understanding light, and working closely with my lab to ensure my scans were clean, bright, and true to colour.

The Film Photography Misconception

Many new photographers are drawn to film because of its romantic and nostalgic look. But what some don’t realise is that film is an entirely different medium from digital—it requires knowledge, precision, and an understanding of how light interacts with film stock. Unlike digital, where you can tweak exposure and white balance in post-production, film requires you to get it right in-camera. This means proper metering, selecting the right film stock for the lighting conditions, and knowing how to communicate with your film lab to get the best possible scans.

The Problem With Today’s Film Trends

Lately, I’ve noticed an influx of film images that are underexposed, resulting in muddy shadows, strange colour casts, and a loss of the natural softness and depth that film should have. This isn’t what film is supposed to look like. Properly exposed film should be clean, luminous, and filled with beautiful depth—not dull or overly warm and dark.

This trend stems from a lack of education in shooting film properly. Some photographers pick up a film camera and treat it like digital, not realising that film requires overexposure to bring out its signature bright and airy tones. Others send their rolls to labs without clear instructions, receiving scans that don’t do justice to the medium. The result? Film photos that don’t reflect the true quality of what film can achieve.

Film Formats I Use & Why It Matters

Not all film is created equal—and the type of film your photographer uses can make a big difference in how your images turn out.

When I shoot weddings, I use both 120mm (medium format) and 35mm film, each for very specific reasons. Understanding the difference can help you see why it matters when it comes to quality and how your final gallery will look.

120mm film is a professional-grade medium format film that produces incredibly high-resolution images with soft, dreamy depth and that beautiful fine art aesthetic. This is what I use for all your portraits, bridal details, and key moments—anything that deserves to be captured with the highest level of quality and intention. With its larger negative size, 120mm captures skin tones and light in the most flattering and luminous way. It’s what gives those signature bright, elegant, and timeless images that feel more like artwork than just a photo.

35mm film, on the other hand, has a smaller negative and a bit more grain and grit—which makes it perfect for capturing candid, in-between moments like cocktail hour mingling. It has a more casual, documentary feel to it. While it isn’t as high-resolution as 120mm, it still holds a lovely nostalgic charm. That said, I would never use 35mm for your formal portraits—it simply doesn’t have the same refinement or clarity.

By using both formats intentionally, I can deliver a gallery that feels dynamic and emotionally rich, while ensuring the important moments are preserved in the most beautiful and high-quality way.

Why True-to-Colour Matters

One of the biggest issues I see is film scans that are way off in colour—either too warm, too cool, or simply inconsistent. When I shoot film, my goal is always to create images that are natural, timeless, and reflective of the real moment. The magic of film lies in its ability to capture skin tones beautifully and render colours in a soft yet vibrant way. But when scans come back with odd colour shifts, it takes away from the integrity of the image.

For my clients, I want their wedding images to be a true reflection of how their day felt. The golden light of sunset, the soft pastel hues of their florals, and the crisp elegance of their bridal attire—these details should be captured accurately, not altered by poor exposure or improper scanning.

Working With a Professional Lab

A major part of achieving high-quality film images comes down to working with a trusted film lab. I’ve spent years refining my process, communicating with my lab, and ensuring my scans match the vision I have for my work. A good lab will not only process your film but will also understand your aesthetic and deliver consistent, clean results. This collaboration is essential for maintaining the integrity of film photography.

Why This Matters for Your Wedding

If you’re hiring a film photographer for your wedding, make sure they truly understand the medium. Ask how long they’ve been shooting film, what their metering process looks like, and how they work with their lab. Quality film photography is an investment, and you deserve images that are timeless, beautifully exposed, and true to the colours of your wedding day.

As a photographer, I believe in upholding the highest standards for my couples. My approach to film is intentional—I take the time to meter correctly, select the right film stock, and work with the best lab to ensure flawless scans. My goal is to deliver wedding images that are filled with light, emotion, and authenticity, preserving your memories in the most beautiful way possible.

So when choosing a film photographer, remember: not all film photography is created equal. Look for someone who values quality, understands the nuances of the medium, and can give you film images that are truly timeless.

Your wedding day deserves nothing less than the best.