Wedding Photography on Film

Film photography is included in every wedding package.

An intentional way to have unique and authentic wedding imagery.

Fun film photography of a wedding couple eating their wedding cake
A wedding couple in a field shot on film
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Bridal portraiture shot in black and white on film for a wedding
Wedding couple on 35mm film with a rainbow lens flare
Wedding couple embracing in a lavender field
Bridal portraiture shot in black and white on film for a wedding
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Why you should have film photography for your wedding

Film creates the kind of magical wedding imagery that is simply not possible with digital alone. Digital promises quantity, quality and control over the photos when editing. Analogue, however, rewards intentionality, experience and an awareness of the present. Furthermore, the chemical process of film captures the light and texture of the moment in ways only analogue can. This makes it an incredible tool for creating wedding imagery that is artistic and authentic. And, it is why all my packages now include film.

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Wedding photograph on film of a couple kissing with foliage in the background

How I use film to purposefully
capture wedding photography

On film and digital

Both analogue and digital are important for wedding photography. This is why I build my packages inclusive of both.

At Curator, I believe the artistic and honest split to be a false dichotomy. I want to create wedding imagery for people who want both editorial and documentary. While digital is functionally essential, film demands an intentionality and slowness that leans towards creating elevated images. But, the raw nature of the film, and how it reacts to light and colour produces incredible authenticity. Therefore, for me, having both is a priority.

I am also very lucky to be part of a family that has always loved film and digital. It’s meant that I have always been schooled in how to work with each medium from the beginning of my photography career. It means I also have access to some of the best film cameras ever made.

Each of my wedding packages include varying amounts of film. If film is something you want, I recommend looking at my mixed-medium packages, or letting me know that you want to prioritize film. I have no issue building personalized packages for you to have film wedding photos.

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35mm and medium format film photography for weddings

Film photography happens in different sizes, and you need specialized cameras for each format. For wedding photography, I use 35mm and 120mm formats.

The most common film format is 35mm. This is the format your grandparents likely used to take photos. It’s nostalgic and unique. It has a nostalgic quality and a distinct visual character. In the hands of an experienced photographer, it can produce beautiful, considered images. Each roll can take around 36 images, and the output file is very similar to modern digital quality once scanned.

For weddings, I mostly use 35mm to capture candid moments, flash shots and wider images like ceremonies and landscapes.

Medium format, or 120, is the big brother of 35mm. The larger film strip offers higher quality and better range in tone. This format was widely used in commercial photography to capture images that went on billboards before digital. With medium format, you can take 12 frames per roll – meaning it demands purposeful use.

At weddings, I use 120mm film to capture striking portraits and the most important moments.

Each of my wedding packages include either 35mm or 120mm, or the mixed-medium includes both. Please let me know if you’d like to prioritize a specific format and I will happily build it into your offering.

[ See my film-inclusive packages ][ inquire here ]

By myself or with help

Working with digtial and film cameras requires planning. So, when I shoot a wedding by myself, I try to limit the amount of film I am carrying. This is a choice to protect the quality of your wedding images.

Luckily, having a second photographer or assistant is common practice for weddings and most of my packages include this. As such, the additional person can help me manage shooting both mediums.

It is also worth noting that the mixed-medium package includes a film specialist photographer with sufficient rolls to capture your whole wedding day in detail. This way you get the best of both mediums.

[ Ask about the mixed-medium package here ]

See full wedding galleries
with film photography

What to expect when you have film photography for your wedding

and other questions I often get asked

Bride photographed on film while she stands in the sun
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Every wedding photography package I offer now includes film. The amount of film varies per package, with the observer package having one roll and the mixed-medium package having five rolls. If you would like to add more film to your package, I ask an additional R1000 per roll.

While 35mm and medium format can capture 36 and 12 frames respectively, not all of these shots may be worth including in a final gallery. When this is the case, I work with a minimum of 20 frames per 35mm and 7 frames per 120mm. If this threshold is not met due to camera malfunction or user error, then I refund that portion of the film cost in your package.

You absoultely can do an exclusively film gallery for your wedding photography. If this is on your heart and you would like to talk more, please let me know.

I will say that by nature film is inconsistant and will not always give you the results you had hoped for. This is the risk and reward of film. So, I do normally suggest a hybrid approach. However, if you are okay with the risks and trusting a professional, then I am more than happy to help you.

The film stocks I bring to a wedding normally depend on the couple, the type of light I am expecting at their wedding and what is available in South Africa at the time.

However, I love the Portr rangea by Kodak. Their skin-tones are unmatched for wedding photography. I also use Kodak’s Colour Plus often to create stronger vintage themes within a gallery. Occationally I shoot UltraMax, which is my favourite stock for shooting in my personal capacity. When shooting black and white, I love the Ilford delta film stocks

I think disposible cameras are really cool, but they are not the same as a professional film camera. They work the same way, except the disposible camera has no adjustable settings -which is why most of the images you get from them are under-exposed or blurry. They’re great for a vibey, nostolgic effect. But, film done well with a proffesional camera will outshine a disposible camera shot in everyway. The images will still feel nostelgic and vibey – but you’ll be able to see who is in the shot 🙂

  • Wedding photo on 120 film of a bride among foliage.
  • Black and white film image of a wedding ceremony
  • Wedding couple embracing in a lavender field
  • Groom portrait on film while he's smoking a cigar.
  • Film shot of candlelit wedding table decor
  • Black and white film image of a wedding couple in front of hydrangeas.
  • Wedding details captured on film
  • Wedding couple on film, whilst standing in a river