My 35mm Film Wedding Photography Journey
Serving San Antonio & the Texas Hill Country
I’ve been on quite the adventure lately and am finally ready to share a little secret with you! For the past three months, I’ve been diving headfirst into the nostalgic world of 35mm film wedding photography. And while I’ve had sooo much learning to do – and still do! – it’s been a wild and wonderful addition to my work.
As a San Antonio wedding photographer, I’ve always had a soft spot for the vintage allure of film. There’s just something about it that captures the essence of a moment in a way digital simply can’t replicate. Maybe it’s not knowing exactly how it’s going to turn out, or the way light plays differently with each camera, but it’s been an absolute blast taking my vintage film cameras to my shoots. So without further ado, I wanted to take a moment and share my film photography journey with you!
35mm Film Wedding Photography Lesson 1: Embracing the Unexpected
I’ll admit, stepping into the realm of film photography was a tad intimidating at first, especially when you’re used to having all the control with digital! But film has already taught me a whole lot of patience – it’s a journey filled with surprises and serendipitous moments.
One of the things I adore most about shooting film is how it’s taught me to embrace the beauty in the unexpected. Those happy accidents—the light leaks, the slight blur, the imperfections that somehow make everything perfect—it’s all part of the charm. There’s a rawness, an authenticity to film that’s extremely difficult to replicate with digital.
35mm Film Wedding Photography Lesson 2: Slowing Down the Moment
The reality of taking film photos is that it takes a lot more time and thought to set up the camera. You also have to consider all the different variables a lot more and adjust accordingly: how’s the lighting? Do I need to underexpose? Overexpose?
While it may seem crazy to add to an already busy wedding day, my couples genuinely enjoy any moment where they can just pause in the in-betweens. And letting them have a little moment to themselves while I set up the camera is an added bonus.
35mm Film Wedding Photography Lesson 3: Being More Intentional
Film photography naturally forces you to be picky. You only have a set number of photos on a film roll, which adds a level of thought and intentionality you don’t get with endless digital memory cards. I always think: What moments are really important and special to my couples? Where can I slow down and be this intentional? Where is the light just right? That’s where the magic happens.
35mm Film Wedding Photography Lesson 4: Being Creative and Having Fun
Since film photography is such an unexplored element to me, it’s forced me to think outside the box and get even more creative. It’s exciting and new and challenging. I love how every roll is a surprise, and it’s been such a fun way to fuel my creative fire. And that really comes through not only in the film rolls but in my digital work as well.
What’s the Difference Between Film & Digital?
Wedding film photography (and 35mm film photography in general) has had a resurgence of popularity in the last couple of years, but I think it’s really important to show what makes film so special – and to understand its limitations. So here’s a little side-by-side of film photos I’ve shot at branding shoots and weddings compared to their digital counterparts. You can see firsthand that grainy, vintage aesthetic that film brings to each frame. I absolutely love it, but I know it’s not for everyone. Which is why I love being able to shoot both ways!
Digital Versus 35mm Film Examples:
Adding 35mm Film Rolls to Your Wedding Package
Because I’m still honing my craft in the world of film photography, I’m currently only charging for the actual roll of film. Transparency is very important to me, and I understand that there are still many unknown variables when it comes to shooting film. So, until I feel completely confident in my abilities (and my cameras’ abilities), I only feel it’s fair to charge for the film rolls. That said, my couples have been loving the film photos so far. They’re bonus little surprises, and they simply just feel different.
Resources for My Fellow Film Photography Nerds
Places to Buy Vintage Film Cameras
When it comes to getting started with film, there are some invaluable resources that have been lifesavers for me. If you’re in the market for a trusty camera, Cute Camera is an easy go-to online shop. That’s where I snagged my Canon AE-1 Program, and it’s been a dream to use. Etsy and eBay are also great online locations. I scored my Canon AF point and shoot from this Etsy shop, and I got my Kodak Ektar H35N Half Frame from Kodak’s Amazon store.
My Canon AE-1 Program 35mm Film Camera
The Photos I’ve Shot With It:
Learnings for this camera: I love this camera for wedding portraits. I’m getting more and more comfortable with its manual settings and often use my digital camera to meter. I’ve learned that film is far more forgiving and actually prefers to be over exposed which is the opposite of digital photography.
My AF Point and Shoot 35mm Film Camera
The Photos I’ve Shot With It:
Learnings for this camera: This film camera needs good lighting to perform at its best, unless you want to use flash for flash photography vibes. So I’m always cognizant of the lighting situation at the venue/photo shoot location if I’m thinking about using this one.
My Kodak Ektar H35N Half Frame 35mm Film Camera
The Photos I’ve Shot With It:
Learnings for this camera: I tried Kodak Color Plus 200 (the stock film), but the skin tones came out too pinky/peachy for me. However, it was a cheaper roll of film to try it out for the first time. I also think that a 400 ISO stock would give more versatility with this camera since it is a point and shoot, and I have no control of the settings. So the images came out pretty underexposed. Also, the camera doesn’t work well for close-up shots. I tried taking pictures of flowers, but they were all blurry. It’s better suited to a natural portrait distance, like 6 feet or more. It’s still a fun little camera to carry around for impromptu moments but I probably won’t be adding it to my wedding day kit.
Local 35mm Film Development Labs & Repair Shops
When it comes to developing your film, I can’t stress enough the importance of supporting your local labs. In San Antonio, Digital Pro Lab is my top film development lab. They offer different digital scan options ensuring your film looks its absolute best. And if you need any repairs and are willing to venture out to Austin, Precision Camera services film cameras.
Building a relationship with your local lab is super important, especially within the film photography community. They understand the intricacies of film, and their expertise can truly elevate your work. While you can mail your film to indie labs, they won’t be able to offer you the custom, personal experience a local film development lab can.
My journey into 35mm film photography has been a super creative and exciting way to keep learning and playing within my craft. And, it’s been so fun witnessing my couples’ and client’s excitement when they get their film back.
Film Love Notes from My Couples
From Amber
“The film ones are honestly some of my favs, I love the way they look!!!”
From Mackenzie
(After I said I’m low key obsessed with the film photos from their wedding)
“I AM TOO!! That should be your signature! Kevin said one of them looks like it could be an album cover!”
If you’re interested in a San Antonio wedding photographer who can provide stunning digital photos and top it off with a roll of film, I’d love to hear from you!
Or, if you simply want to nerd out about vintage cameras and 35mm film photography, I’m always here for that, too!
