Why I Shoot Film

as a hybrid 35mm film + digital wedding photographer in Colorado

Film is nostalgia

When I think back on my own childhood, I see the photos in my mind first—then remember the memories attached to them.

My dad always carried a camera, whether we were hiking or cross-country skiing or making a campfire in the woods behind our house. As a child, I was obsessed with looking through our family photos, and we would often gather around a clunky old projector screen in the basement to watch the slides that my dad kept meticulously organized.

Film photo of Nina hiking with her dog in Norway in the '90s
35mm film photo from a winter wedding in Aspen, Colorado

Film photography today

So why shoot film today, when it’s more expensive, more time consuming, and less reliable than digital photography?

The limited number of photos available on a roll forces me to slow down and be intentional with every photo, carefully getting my composition and exposure just right. The colors can never quite be replicated when editing digital files. And there’s just a feel to film that is hard to put your finger on, but you know immediately when you see it.

Because I’m always chasing that feeling, of not just taking a photo but knowing that you’ll revisit the photo for years afterwards.

And I’m guessing that your reasons for loving film photos look a lot like my reasons for taking them!

Elopements and Weddings on 35mm Film

  • Film elopement photographer in Colorado

Frequently Asked Questions

I currently shoot on Canon EOS 1V, a Yashica T4 point and shoot, and a Fujifilm Instax mini Evo. Some of the photos on this page were taken on a Nikon F3, Olympus OM-1, Canon AE-1, and Olympus Stylus Epic Zoom. Film cameras are unpredictable, and run into issues more frequently than digital cameras, so I’m always experimenting to find the best fit, but love my current setup.

I’ve been experimenting with a variety of film stocks, but most of the photos on this page are shot on Portra 400 and Portra 800, and that’s likely what you’ll get too.

At this time, I’m not charging extra for film photos since I take them at my own discretion. I’m still learning and experimenting, and I love getting to be creative with film without the pressure of producing a specific number of photos. For context, it costs me around $50/roll to purchase, ship, develop, and scan a roll of film.

For an engagement session, yes! For weddings and elopements, no. Having to change rolls after every 36 photos taken is too much of an interruption into the flow of the day for me to be comfortable shooting only film, and I much prefer having my digital camera to quickly capture important moments without missing a thing. If you’re looking for a photographer who only uses film, I’m happy to give recommendations!

It really depends on too many conditions, from how much time we have together and the flow of the day to the lighting and how the photos turn out, for me to guarantee a certain number of film photos. But I usually shoot 3-5 rolls of film at each wedding, and if you’re excited about film I will make every effort to take as many film photos as I can for you.

I usually shoot a handful of Instax photos throughout the day, and I will leave you with your own printed copies of them at the end of the day. If you’re super stoked about Instax photos, let me know and I’ll make sure to take lots!

Your scanned film photos will be included in your final gallery, which you’ll receive within six weeks after your wedding.

Ready to connect?

If you want film photos to remember your wedding day by, I’d love to chat more about how I can help you capture the day. Reach out to schedule a free video consultation, and let’s make it happen!

Contact Nina