As a film wedding photographer rooted in creating documentary wedding images, my goal is always the same: capture your day honestly, without forcing anything. Adding film doesn’t change that—it deepens it.
There’s something undeniably magnetic about film—both for photographers and for couples who want their wedding gallery to feel less curated and more true. Film slows everything down in a culture that wants to rush. It asks us to pay attention.
Film isn’t about creating a different story. It’s about telling the same one with a little more grit, texture, and nostalgia.
And if you’re already thinking, okay, we want this, I offer a film add-on for any engagement session, wedding, or couples session, so you get to choose how much film is woven in. See more about my packages and services here: https://melissaortendahlweddings.com/services
What Makes Film Wedding Photography So Unique
People always say film “feels different,” and it does – but not because it’s trendy. Film interprets light with a softness and depth that digital simply approaches differently.
1. The tones are unmatched
As a film wedding photographer, I mostly shoot Kodak Portra 400 and 800 because they handle skin tones like a dream and hold color beautifully. When the light is abundant, Kodak Gold 200 makes everything glow. And Tri-X black and white? Think timeless, emotional, straight-to-the-family-history-book vibes.
2. Presence over perfection
There’s no firing off 37 frames of the same moment. Film forces intention: wait, watch, then click. Couples actually tell me it makes the experience feel more grounded and less performative.
3. The beauty is in the imperfection
A little grain, a touch of blur, a streak of magic light – these aren’t “mistakes.” They’re character. They make your gallery feel alive, not manufactured.
Film doesn’t make your day look different – it makes it feel even more like you.
The Hybrid Experience: Film + Digital Working Together
Most couples don’t want only film – they want the best of both worlds. That’s where hybrid coverage shines.
Your digital coverage is rock-solid
I photograph every wedding with two Sony a7iii bodies strapped to me at all times. So if you’re picturing me with just a dreamy vintage camera – nope. Think more along the lines of a fully functioning photography octopus.
On a typical wedding day, you’ll see me with 5–6 cameras attached to my body like a slightly over-prepared, well-intentioned sherpa:
- Sony a7iii (x2) — primary digital coverage
- Canon 1V — 35mm film
- Canon AE-1 — 35mm film
- Canon Rebel 2000 — 35mm film
- Pentax 645N — medium format film
- Instax Mini Evo — instant prints for pure joy
Do I look a little unhinged? Possibly.
Does it mean your moments are covered from every angle? Absolutely.
Just know: if you hear me jingling before you see me, it’s normal.
Why the hybrid approach works so well
- Digital handles fast-moving, low-light, can’t-miss moments
- Film steps in when the light is breathtaking and the moment deserves to be savored
- You get reliability and nostalgia, not one or the other
You’re never sacrificing coverage for aesthetic – it’s a seamless blend.
The Real Talk: Challenges (That I’m Fully Equipped to Handle)
I’m not here to sell you a fantasy – so here’s the honest side of film, from the perspective of a film wedding photographer:
1. Film isn’t instant
There’s no “flip the screen and check it out.” Film goes to a professional lab and comes back in digital scans. But the wait? Couples say it feels like a second celebration when the images arrive.
2. Light matters more
Film loves generous, natural light. Years of shooting film means I know exactly when it will sing—and when digital is the smarter choice. Nothing goes undocumented.
3. It’s an investment
Between stock, developing, and scanning, film costs more to create. But what you get isn’t replicable with a preset. It’s texture, mood, and permanence.
You’re not paying for perfection – you’re investing in feeling.
The Best Moments to Add Film Into Your Wedding Day
You don’t need film from start to finish to make an impact. Some of the most beautiful uses are intentional and selective:
- Getting ready in soft window light
- First look or private vows
- Portraits during golden hour
- Slow moments between events
- Candid reception flashes with grainy magic
- Day-after or engagement sessions where the pace is slower
Film doesn’t just capture a moment—it remembers it.
Want to Add Film to Your Wedding Photography?
Whether you want subtle integration or full-on editorial nostalgia, film is one of the most meaningful ways to elevate your Boston wedding photography experience. It brings intention, texture, and depth to your gallery – and gives you images that feel like heirlooms the moment you see them.
My film add-on can be added to weddings, engagements, or couples sessions, and it’s designed to give you the perfect mix of color, black and white, and medium format goodness.
Wedding Film Add-On – $350
A beautifully balanced mix of film stocks and formats woven throughout your day:
- 2–3 rolls of color 35mm
- 2–3 rolls of color 120 medium format
- 1–2 rolls of black and white 120 medium format
- Film developing + post-processing
This gives you a rich variety of tones, textures, and perspectives—perfect for capturing everything from slow, emotional moments to the full-body joy of the reception.
Engagement & Couples Session Film Add-On – $100
A simple, intentional splash of film:
- 1 roll of color or black and white 120 medium format (photographers choice)
- 1 roll of color 35mm film
- Film developing + post-processing
Perfect for portraits, golden hour sessions, or documenting your connection in a way that feels soft, cinematic, and timeless.
If you’re dreaming about images that feel like pieces of memory—honest, emotional, and beautifully imperfect – I’d love to help you bring film into your story.
Whether you’re searching for film wedding photography or a hybrid photographer who blends digital and film seamlessly, I’m here for it. Let’s document your day with heart, intention, and just the right amount of grain.
