Why Wedding Film Photography Is So Rad | Utah Documentary Photographer Tai Lee Photography
Utah Documentary Elopement and Wedding Photographer
AESTHETIC Film Wedding Photography | Tai Lee Photography
There is a reason that film wedding photography has not only become one of the biggest wedding trends in the photography world, but also why it didn’t ever really go anywhere, even when lots of people changed over to digital photography. Whether it’s 35 mm film, black and white film, or 120 film, you really cannot go wrong with ANY of the options. Film has an editorial, timeless, and documentary touch to it, and you could literally take a picture of a weed and the medium of film it would transform it into something beautiful. There is a reason it is trending, and if you consider yourself the type of person that doesn’t like to follow trends, and may do the opposite of the trend just because everyone else is doing it, you should reconsider when it comes to film. If anything, film photos at your wedding will give you the most unique look, and every film photographer has their own aesthetic style to how they develop their film, just like they do with digital.
When you do a quick google search as you are looking for your wedding photographer, a lot of the suggested topics that come up are—wedding film photographer near me, wedding film photographer packages, is film photography worth it, 35 mm film wedding photographer, do any photographers still use film, and multiple reddit forums discussing the various ways that film can be incorporated into a wedding day.
There is a reason this is being searched so many times and in so many different ways. I find it really interesting the way the Gen Z has really gravitated toward film. They grew up in a mostly digital world, and they are making a new discovery that they didn’t grow up seeing, like those of us who are older. For me, film was a part of day to day life, and even when I started out as a photographer, my first ever camera was a film camera, and to learn how to use my camera I checked books out from the library, took two college classes on black and white film and developed it in the dark room, and took a beginner camera course at the local camera store. Google and youtube were not what they are now.
In this blog post I want to address the reasons that I value film, and have continued to work with it over the years, why it is so cool, and also some of the ways things can go wrong with film, and how to avoid that. Let’s start with why film is so rad, and then we’ll go into some of the common questions there are about hiring a film photographer to come to your wedding.
Why Wedding Film Photography Is So Rad, and SO Worth It
1 | It Makes Everything Pretty
This is the literal truth. There is a film aesthetic that cannot be beat, whether it’s natural light or flash film photographs. I’ve photographed so many different things on film, and I swear it could make a garbage can look like a fine art painting. When you get a shot on film, it takes what may otherwise be a regular photo, and paints this wash of magic across the image. I’ll include some of my favorite examples of this. It’s like a magic paintbrush.
2 | The Photos Feel Like Memories
I attribute a lot of this to the fact that a lot of the oldest memories are on film photographs, the kind that you actually hold in your hands. When I look at a photo of my grandpa, it has unique color tones, and exposes the highlights, mid-tones, and shadows in a way that is the signature of film. Film takes us back in time, and it isn’t just something we look at when we flip through photos, but something that we feel. Film is nostalgic with it’s unique grain and soft look, and brings out a documentary or cinematic feel.
3 | Imperfection In A World Where Everything Feels Curated
I heard that film is the messy bun of photography—perfectly imperfect. We live in a world where SO much of it is staged which can feel phony, or like everyone is just trying to get all the same exact photos as everyone else. With film you can get a little bit of blur, photos can be a touch out of focus, some scratches on the film, or some light can leak onto the negative, creating that perfect nostalgic film aesthetic. The flaws in film, are a big component of what makes it so beautiful. And there is just something about when you photograph a wedding on film, it invites a more natural, documentary approach to your images. It just feels REAL.
4 | Curation + Intention
Film has a limited number of shots. 35 mm allows for around 36 exposures, and 120 film allows for 10-12. Because of those limited numbers, you might think that not very many of the photos are going to turn out, and that you won’t get many film images, but there are actually a lot more keepers. When you have a limited number of shots on a roll, you are more intentional in what you photograph, and how you photograph it. I know when something should be shot on film, and it usually only takes one shot to know that I got exactly what I want. The film photo gallery is very curated and thought out.
5 | The Colors and The Exposure
Digital photography has been trying to replicate the look of film for YEARS, but they are basing the editing off of an actual film photo, and trying to get it to match. And while you can get close, film brings in the most beautiful colors. I have my favorite types of films that I like to shoot in different locations, and some work beautifully with greens, some are better on the beach, some work great with full sun, and some pair well with low light. When it comes to bouquets and wedding details, you can’t go wrong with any film Not only is the color great, but one of the best things that film can do that digital cannot do, is perfectly expose both the brightest and the darkest parts of an image (think wedding dress and dark suit, dark suits, and ocean water with the sun shining bright on it and a bright sky). When people search film photography aesthetic, they may not be able to pinpoint what gives it that aesthetic, but the colors and exposure abilities of film is a large part of that aesthetic.
Common Questions About Having Film Photography At Your Wedding
1 | Is It Better To Have Wedding Photos Film Or Digital? Is It Risky?
The obvious answer to this question is going to be based off of someone’s opinion, and my opinion is that you include both. There are risks associated with film that are completely out of anyone’s control. While I personally drop my film off at the dropbox right in front of the film lab, something could go wrong from there to the point of receiving my film scans. Equipment and film can malfunction, or something could go wrong in the development process. While I have backup film cameras, and extra rolls of film, there is not 100% guarantee, and this is why I recommend adding film to your digital collection so you can have the digital backups of the film shots. Another thing about film, is that it does have its limitations, and that’s where digital photography can come in to ensure that you are able to get photos of everything, and not lose out on any moments. So I prefer to be a multimedia photographer, where I incorporate the correct medium for the circumstances, and use the medium that will best highlight what is being photographed.
2 | How Do I Find A Film Photographer?
There are some key phrases you are going to want to use as you are looking for a photographer that has a style you will love. One thing to consider is their location. Do you want someone who is local, or do you want to find someone that has the perfect style, and then bring them to wherever your wedding is? What style are you drawn to? Do you like light and airy, dark and moody, or are you drawn to more of an overall look like documentary, or cinematic photography? For example, people that find me on google are typically looking for a photographer who is located in Utah, who has a documentary, or lifestyle, or candid style, and does film photography. If you want someone local to Utah you can search Utah Film Photographer, or Utah Wedding Film Photographer. Or if you are just looking for a specific style, and are willing to pay an additional fee for their travel, you can search Best Film Photographers, Best Wedding Film Photographer, Documentary Film Photographer, etc. A lot of people have found me this way as well and it’s allowed me to travel to the location they felt drawn to such as Big Sur, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Moab, Amangiri, etc. When you are searching, be sure to ask for some film portfolio. You really want someone who understands the way film works because it does take a comprehension of the differences between film and digital, and also an understanding how to properly expose an image when you can’t look at the back of the camera to make sure you did it right—and this isn’t something you can correct in photoshop later. Film is not forgiving like digital is.
3 | Can I DIY Film Photography At My Wedding?
I’ve heard of lots of ways people will incorporate this. Some people will have disposable cameras all over the tables at their wedding, some will have fujifilm or polaroid cameras around for guests to use, and some people will have sister or groomsmen plan to shoot some film for them. While all of these are fun ideas, and these photos can turn out really cool, you can run into the limitations that come with people not understanding light and when/where to use the flash, or the camera in general. My brother and sister-in-law did this with disposable film cameras, and while there were some cool photos, most of the photos they had developed ended up just being black. Again, I’m all for including this as an aspect, but it does come with its downsides.
4 | What Is The Best Kind of Film To Have For My Wedding?
The best kind is the kind that your photographer feels will most highlight what they are photographing. There are some photos that are begging to be in black and white, and some that would look killer on the Holga toy camera instead of the 35 mm camera. I would recommend leaving the medium up to the artists discretion, but HIGHLY recommend requesting some black and white film alongside the color film. Color film is beautiful and has such life to it, and black and white film is soulful—feeling like poetry in an image.
My Favorite Ways to Use Film At A Wedding
I always look a little funny at a wedding because I’m usually wearing two cameras on my holster, one around my neck, and a giant fanny pack. I will do a combination of both color and black and white film, and strategically choose these throughout the day. I use disposable cameras, both 35 mm film and 120 mm film, and have cameras that I love to use for both of them. My most favorite combo is 120 mm black and white film from the Ilford line on my toy camera. For film shots, what’s on my mind is how would this moment be best remembered? I don’t think there is a right or wrong way, but there is an intuitive way to shoot film, and that is the approach I like to take to curate the perfect memories on film for each couple and their loved ones.
Wedding Film Photography Packages
Adding film to your wedding collection is definitely an investment. As with everything, as it has become more popular, the cost has gone up just to purchase and develop film. All of my wedding collections start out with a base package of digital photography and one roll of film, and then you can build from there. Maybe one roll is enough, but maybe you are a film lover and want to go all out with a larger film collection from your day. Please reach out to receive my full pricing of my wedding collections, what is included them, and what add-ons you can do to build the perfect elopement or wedding day or wedding weekend package. Let’s create the perfect collection of memories for you.
Looking for a photographer that gets your vision, whose style aligns with your creative vibe for you elopement or wedding? Who can curate the perfect multimedia collection of both film and digital images, documenting your story artfully, and thoughtfully? Click that reach out button below!
I’d LOVE to highlight the experience you have put so much intention into, and document you with your favorite people.
Worried about feeling awkward in front of the camera, or that it will be weird to have a stranger following you around with a camera all day? I’ve got you. My laid-back approach and calming presence will help both you and your guests feel at ease while I go about artfully telling your story.
Want to explore some more sessions that incorporated natural light and flash film photography? Here are some related blog posts.
