Film photography has a special honest beauty, nostalgia and imperfection in the best possible way. Adding different film formats to my digital work for weddings, allows me to create in a unique, intentional and more creative form. Film creates a deeper emotional connection and gives a different value to images, beyond beauty or aesthetics.
Documenting with film requires a more thoughtful narrative that’s why I love to incorporate it and you’ll see it added in most of my coverages. On a wedding day everything goes fast and having film brings a different rhythm: slower moments, more present, less automatic, and that holds an incredible emotional value.
Why I love film
If you have already seen my information page, you know that I talk a bit about how fascinated I am with the analog process of film photography. Besides that, the perfect imperfection of film look, the grain, tones and the cinematic feeling, are impossible to replicate with a digital camera. For me, nothing compares to film.
In my early years, I had the chance to witness the birth of the digital era in photography, a fascinating world that continues to open doors and make life easier for creatives but during that transition, analog photography was put on hold for quite some time, though it was never truly lost. I deeply appreciate growing up in the 80s – 90s and my long formative years in Photography School, when having knowledge of analog processes was a must because I know I can appreciate film nowadays even more.
Incorporating film into my wedding work means a lot to me, not just as an artistic choice, but as part of the experience I share with each of my couples.
What film formats do I use?
Every film format has its own charm and purpose. I mainly work with two: 35mm and medium format (120mm). Each with its own unique qualities and advantages and I choose between them depending on the type of coverage and the visual style I want to achieve.
35MM
When I document on 35mm film, I love its versatility. Each roll of 35mm film has 36 photos so, unlike digital, these images are limited and carefully created. This format is the most common and it shares the same proportions as digital photography, so it blends seamlessly with the rest of the digital work, but it has that texture and look that only film can bring.
120MM
Medium format (or 120mm) film is my personal favorite. It offers higher image quality and more detail in each frame. It’s easily recognizable by its beautiful square frame, and whenever you look at a full wedding gallery, these photos always stand out. There’s something about this classic format that makes you stop and appreciate each image and I really love using Black and White film especially. Each roll has only 12 photos, which means a more artistic process behind every shot. You slow down, breathe and wait for the right moment to make the click.
3D Film
Another format I’ve started adding into some of my coverages is 3D film. These GIFS are made with 35mm film and a 3D camera but unlike the common 35mm, this type of cameras allow less photos per roll (around 20) and once the film is developed, I put together the images creating movement for each shot. It’s something I enjoy using throughout the wedding day, but especially at night during the party. These fun little moments bring a touch of movement into my photographs. It’s not video, but rather a still image that moves. It’s a unique way of giving life to photographs through subtle motion, almost like seeing a memory breathe for a second.
Is film coverage safe?
I know it can be scary to have a hybrid coverage between digital and analog, but trust me, the old works, and sometimes much better than the new. All my analog cameras are just as professional as digital ones, and the development processes of film are of the highest quality and care.
Things can always happen, even when a wedding is documented 100% digitally, but that’s why you have to choose your photographer very carefully and make sure that all those risks are minimized as much as possible. Not everyone documents on film, but I don’t think it’s because they’re afraid something will go wrong, but because there’s a lot of work behind it, not only creatively, but also in terms of planning, execution on the day of the wedding (the most careful shots and being present in the moment), post-production processes, etc.
If we are going to work together, this will be a unique experience for you. Put your trust in me, you are going to enjoy it.
If you have any further questions or want to know anything else, don’t hesitate to drop me a line. I’m here for you!
Don’t forget to check out my blog on Super 8 films, right here!
