As a wedding and portrait photographer, nostalgia is my biggest inspiration. So, naturally, I love shooting on film! Having rediscovered film photography in recent years, I’ve fallen back in love with the medium deeper than ever before. I love the timeless feel it brings to weddings and family portraits, and I know you will too!
My Film Photography Story
I started shooting with film when I was 14 years old. My dad gave me a Pentax ZX-7 for Christmas, and my love for the medium took off from there! I spent my high school years exploring it, taking classes, and using the darkroom at my school to process and print my photos by hand. It was exhilarating!
I took summer classes at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston before pursuing my BFA in Photography at the Lesley College of Art and Design in Cambridge, MA. I explored multiple photography mediums there, from black-and-white film to digital. After graduating, I leaned into the digital realm as that was all the rage back in 2008. I set my film cameras aside, but my love for the medium never faded.
It wasn’t until the pandemic that I considered what I wanted to explore more with my work. I dusted off my old cameras and picked up a Canon film camera compatible with the Canon lenses I already use. I also invested in a vintage Polaroid camera from the 1970s. Since then, I’ve been diving deeper and deeper into film photography!
Exploring Different Film Formats
I love that each of my film cameras has a purpose. When shooting with my Contax point-and-shoot at weddings, I love that the images feel like old family photos—perfectly imperfect. When shooting with a medium-format camera, I’m reminded to move slowly and thoughtfully. The mix of the unrefined point-and-shoot images with the professionalism in my other work is something I enjoy integrating!
I also LOVE shooting with black-and-white film like I did in high school. I’m obsessed with the portraits of artists and musicians from the ‘60s and ‘70s and try to channel that vibe into my work. Linda McCartney is a huge inspiration!
My Film Photography Offerings
Because I’m enjoying rediscovering film photography so much, I decided to start adding it to all my wedding collections as a complimentary add-on. I offer all-day, sporadic shooting. So, that usually means 5-10 rolls, which is just enough to get a nice taste of the film experience! It’s the perfect amount for me to allow the play involved with film while also capturing the entire day digitally. I shoot with a variety of film formats, including black-and-white, depending on what I have available at the time.
The point-and-shoot images and Polaroids I take at a wedding are unique from the images I shoot with my digital camera. Usually, they’re less perfect (in the best way), and my clients love those imperfections! Meanwhile, my black-and-white work has that soulful, timeless feel I resonate with and try to incorporate into all my photography.
Engagement Sessions and Family Portraits
While film photography is complimentary for my wedding couples, it’s available to all my clients! It’s an optional add-on for anyone who books an engagement or family session with me. For a two-hour session, adding film costs an additional $200. This generally includes about 3-4 rolls!
If you resonate with my heart for film photography, let’s connect! Whether you’re looking for Austin wedding photography, family photos, or even updated branding for your small business, I’m your girl. Let’s create the beautiful, nostalgia-tinged images you crave and will forever cherish.
