While many predicted that the digital camera would mark the end of film photography, the traditional method has endured. For many photographers, the unique qualities of film provide a feel that’s impossible to replicate with digital cameras. Others have found that learning film for the first time has brought joy and discovery back into their work. This week, we’re featuring film wedding photography—and tips on getting started with film—from five photographers. Find inspiration and advice from Mikalynn Amos, Zoey Sunghera, Steph Large, Gabrielle Maurer and Francesca Carpinelli.

Mikalynn Amos, Venturing Vows

Photographer Mikalynn Amos of Venturing Vows has incorporated 35mm film into her elopement photography for the last three years, alongside her digital work. “I was unsure if film was worth it when I could edit my images for a film look if I really wanted,” she said. “When I started my film journey though, it was as though I was being introduced to photography all over again. As many professional photographers have come to know, there’s something special about getting to revisit the craft through the joy and excitement of a beginner. If you have similar hesitations that I had, know that there really is something special about film.”

For this image, she wanted to capture a quiet moment between the couple with the layering of mountains in the background. She captured the shot using a Canon Elan II with a Canon EF 35mm f/2 lens and Superia film.

“Start with a point and shoot film camera,” Amos advises. “I think a lot of new film photographers are drawn to the cool looking, more vintage cameras. These cameras are generally more expensive and far harder to learn with. For a more manual experience, my most used camera is a newer, 90s film camera that’s compatible with my old DSLR lenses. The interface of the newer film cameras are a lot like DSLR cameras for less of a learning curve. It’s been more natural to incorporate that camera into my wedding sessions than my older ones that have manual focus, older light meters, etc.” 

Zoey Sunghera, ZoeyLynn Photography

For this shot, photographer Zoey Sunghera of ZoeyLynn Photography used her grandfather’s Minolta SRT 202 with a 50mm lens to create a keepsake for the couple. Inspired by the golden Oregon sun, she wanted to create a film portrait that felt both timeless yet nostalgic.

“I am no expert in film wedding photography, but I do think understanding that trial and error is where the magic happens,” she said. “Start out shooting film for fun and get creative! There are no limits!”

Steph Large, Stephanie Dreams Photography

Steph Large of Stephanie Dreams Photography captured this shot after helping to organize the shoot at Folkstone in the UK. She was inspired by the colorful streets and how they brought out the details in the groom. She captured this film wedding photograph with the Canon AV-1 and Kodak Gold film.

“Literally just practice and try,” she suggests. “I always have my film camera on me at weddings, to practice in different venues & with different lighting. It’s helped me build up a great portfolio to showcase to possible film clients.”

Gabrielle Maurer, petites.images

This groom, from Toronto, and this bride, from Ireland, founded a group The Faces of Advocacy to reunite couples and families impacted by border restrictions during the pandemic after the bride was turned away at the border in the spring of 2020. When Gabrielle Maurer of petites.images was tasked with capturing their wedding, she knew the couple’s story would be a key source of inspiration. She created this diptych of two separate portraits to represent fighting their way back together after being forced apart. She used a Contax G2 camera with a Contax Carl Zeiss Planar 45mm f/2 T lens and Cinestill 800T film, later converted to black and white.
 
“Do it for the love of the craft & for yourself first, not because it seems to be back in style,” she said. “Shooting film wedding photography is an art form in itself, and like any other craft it requires tremendous investments in terms of time, resources and dedication – especially with today’s inherent costs associated with it. At the end of the day, it’s about figuring out your voice, your workflow and the medium that works best for you. Whether it’s film or digital, I would say – be patient with yourself, shoot every day, find your voice through personal work, lean onto your instincts, be curious, be bold, don’t limit your inspiration sources, don’t underestimate the value of community, be willing to learn and make mistakes. Trials, errors, risks – on repeat. It’s true for film but I think it applies to anything else really. And more specifically for photographers used to shoot digital but new to film – learn the inside & out of this new world and understand how it differs from your comfort zone as a digital photographer. Know the strengths and weaknesses of your different tools (gear, film stocks, processing, etc.) and shoot with this in mind! Shooting film is unforgiving and in a way, it helps appreciate and honors what you have on hand.”

Francesca Carpinelli, Francesca Carpinelli Photographer

While preparing for this wedding in a majestic venue, Francesca Carpinelli of Francesca Carpinelli Photographer, knew she didn’t want the beautiful location to overpower the story of the couple’s day. For this shot, she saw the moment unfolding and captured a moment that represented their real story. She used a Hasselblad 503 CX with Fujifilm Pro 400H 120mm film.
 
“Go shoot some film,” she says. “It doesn’t really matter with what camera, or what film, just go and do it, go back to basics, question everything you know about exposure and composition and be open to learning and also messing up. It will change your way of understanding light, dimensions, layers of information in an image and will make you a smoother digital photographer as well.”

Dig into our Photos of the Day Archives for even more timeless photos, eye-catching portraits and wedding photos. Submit your wedding, editorial, documentary and other interesting imagery (up to five images at a time) to: [email protected].

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