Weddings shot on 35mm film look like how it felt.
Messy, unpredictable, beautiful, blurry, imperfect, nostalgic, grainy, arty. The colours! The light leaks! What’s not to love about a little bit of analogue photography on your wedding day?
The first weddings I shot were on film, way back in 2003, when film wasn’t just an artistic choice, but the only medium. It fell out of mainstream favour a little over the years (for many reasons, it being bloody expensive being one of them!) but it’s seen a massive resurgence, particularly in wedding photography. There are multitude reasons: the incomparable look of film photography ( the soft grain, the warm colours…) the unpredictability (light leaks, chemical inconsistencies, using expired film…) the authenticity and beautiful imperfections. Not to mention the fact that so many couples who are getting married are too young to have had film cameras kicking around when they were kids. It’s a bit like hearing your favourite song on old vinyl; the soft hiss, the crackle, it just sounds richer. More nostalgic. More real.
The images are fantastic and capture the day and the people we shared it with perfectly.
Shea & Phil, married at The Barbican Conservatory, shot on Kodak Portra 800
Whatever your reasons are for wanting some 35mm film photography at your wedding, I can shoot a couple of rolls to sit alongside the digital coverage. My work is predominantly digital ( you can read more on what cameras I use here) – the fast paced nature of weddings and my unposed documentary style means it’s a better medium for me. But there are certain points in the day when there’s more time and things are not so fast paced, and that’s the ideal time for a few frames on film. This could be whilst you’re getting ready in the morning, during the ceremony, the drinks, or the speeches.
Film gives a softness and a magical look that is difficult to replicate in the digital darkroom. But, more than how it looks, I think we are drawn to film for its timeless quality, the hint at nostalgia, and the tangible tactile quality of the images. Each frame is intentional, considered and not one of a burst of 20 images with “the best” image being selected. Somehow it feels more intimate, and the limited number of exposures on a roll of film gives each image a weighted importance. Including a roll or two of film as part of your coverage gives your final gallery depth and atmosphere, and an extra element of the unexpected, which is what I hope to deliver for all my couples, regardless of the medium used to take the photo.
Destination Weddings on 35mm Film
Destination weddings are often multi day events, so it’s very easy to weave a couple of rolls throughout your weekend and it adds to the overall richness of your final gallery. I have photographed countless destination weddings in France, Spain, Italy, Santorini, Portugal, Poland, USA and India and you can see some of these weddings over on my Destination Wedding Photographer page.
The photographer at work! This photo was taken by the videographer at Ellie & Niko’s wedding in Santorini. Their pre-wedding party was a boat cruise around the island, with a BBQ, beers, and plenty of opportunities to swim. A keen water baby, I will never say no to a swim in the sea, and if I can take photos whilst I’m there, even better.
Life’s not perfect (and neither are weddings), but it’s easy to fall into the algorithm-driven trap of wanting your wedding photos to project an image of perfection, rather than reflect who you truly are. We adore our photos because they are authentic rather than engineered, and personal rather than performative. They have soul.
Ellie & Niko, married in Santorini, shot underwater on Kodak Ultra Max 800
Magic moments shot on film and the unpredictable joy of analogue. 35mm film wedding photographer in London, UK, and worldwide
If you’d like to chat to me about your wedding, I would love to hear from you. Whether you’re planning to have some rolls of film included or you aren’t sure yet, we can talk through the options and find out what’s right for you and your day.
In my 17+ year career as a wedding photographer, I have photographed some truly incredible weddings throughout the UK, Europe, and around the world. Couples book me for my distinctive style, my hands-off approach and the quiet assuredness that so many years behind the camera brings. To ask questions, check your date, or book in for a relaxed no obligation chat, get in touch on the link below.
Venues featured here Barbican Conservatory, Wilderness Festival, Elmley Nature Reserve, Villa Eva, Moth Club, Camberwell Arms, Mapledurham House, and 100 Barrington