Adelaide Wedding Film Photography

Why Analog Film Wedding Photography Is Making a Comeback – And Why You’ll Love It

There’s something undeniably romantic about film. Not the movie kind, the real kind. 35mm, medium format, large format. The kind you load into a camera by hand. The kind that gives you negatives you can actually hold. That’s the magic of analog wedding photography and it’s making a powerful, heartfelt comeback.

In a fast-paced digital world, film slows everything down. It reminds you to breathe. It asks you to look. To feel. To be present.

And when you see your wedding captured on film, creamy, grainy, glowing, you’ll understand why this medium is not just nostalgic… it’s soulful.

Whether I’m shooting digital or film, I aim for images that feel artful and real – refined without being rigid, emotional without being overdone.

— Laurence

So, why film?

Film is timeless. It’s emotive. It has depth and texture that digital just can’t replicate. The tones are softer. The skin looks luminous. The blacks are velvet-rich. The highlights are buttery and real.
There’s an energy to it, the kind you can feel when you look at the images. Because they weren’t shot at a million frames per second.

They were made with intention.

Every frame on film matters. It’s a commitment. It’s also a joy. Pressing the shutter on a film camera, knowing you’ve only got 16 shots on that roll, makes you look at moments differently. You photograph what matters. And that shows in the work.
And when you take it to the lab, develop it, dry it, scan it, print it and hold that frame in your hand for the first time? That feeling is unmatched.

It’s not just beautiful. It’s good for the soul.

Frequently Asked Questions about Film Wedding Photography

01.

DO YOU SHOOT BOTH DIGITAL AND FILM ON A WEDDING DAY?

Yes. I shoot both, depending on light, timing, and the vibe of the moment. Digital is fast and flexible, great for fast-paced parts of the day. But when the light is right and things slow down, I’ll reach for a film camera. For me, film works best for portraits, fashion-inspired shots, intimate in-betweens, and editorial-style moments.

02.

WHAT KINDS OF FILM DO YOU USE?

Each film stock has its own character, and I choose based on the light, moment, and story we’re telling. Some of my go-to favourites:
Kodak Portra 800 – A personal favourite. Gorgeous creamy tones, subtle contrast, and just enough grain to feel nostalgic. It handles low light beautifully and gives skin tones that soft, editorial glow.
Kodak Portra 400 – My everyday hero film. Warm, versatile, true-to-life colours with soft grain. Perfect for natural light and fast-paced environments.
Kodak Portra 160 – Clean and pastel-toned with super fine grain. Best for bright daylight or flat light when you want subtlety and softness.
Ilford HP5 (ISO 400) – A timeless black-and-white film with just the right amount of grain and contrast. Honest, soulful, and documentary-feeling, but still elevated. I love using HP5 for emotional portraits and intimate, quiet moments.
Ilford Delta 3200 – Dreamy, moody, high-grain black and white. Great for night scenes or flash-heavy images with real cinematic depth.

03.

WHAT FORMATS DO YOU SHOOT?

35mm – For that classic, documentary feel. Slightly more grain, quick to shoot, and great for movement and candid frames.
120 Medium Format – Larger negatives = more detail and depth. This format gives portraits a soft, dreamy quality that feels ultra-refined.
Large Format (4×5 or 8×10) – The ultimate in slow, deliberate portraiture. One sheet of film per image. The sharpness, detail and emotional weight is unlike anything else. Best reserved for one or two iconic portraits during your day if time permits.

04.

CAN WE ADD FILM TO OUR WEDDING PACKAGE?

Yes, absolutely!

Film is available as an optional add-on to any of my standard digital packages. We can tailor how much film is used, when it’s used during the day, and what kind of film (colour or black-and-white) suits your vibe best.
If you’re already a film lover or if you’re dreaming of something a little nostalgic, heartfelt and editorial this is for you.

How does film actually look different to digital?

Film has a softness and unpredictability that gives it emotion. The grain isn’t noise, it’s texture. The light rolls off skin naturally. Colours aren’t perfect – they’re poetic. Film feels less like documentation and more like memory. And that makes all the difference.

Digital can imitate film’s look, but it can’t replicate its soul or the experience of holding the real thing in your hand. Is this just a trend?

Nope. Film never left, it just became more niche. Photographers like Jose Villa, Erich McVey, Tec Petaja, Corbin Gurkin, and Jeremy Chou have been using film for years, creating iconic wedding imagery with it. Their work has been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Martha Stewart Weddings, all built on the backbone of analog photography.

That influence carries through to my work too. These photographers inspired me not only in how they shoot, but in the way they feel their work, slow, cinematic, thoughtful.

Film isn’t a gimmick. It’s a choice. An art form. A love language.

What about darkroom prints?

If you really want to go all in on the analog experience, I offer handmade black-and-white darkroom prints. Each one is created by me, in the darkroom, using traditional chemistry and fiber-based paper. They’re not just prints, they’re heirlooms.
Prices start at $475 for an unframed 8×10”
Larger sizes and framing available on request
Each print is entirely handmade, no outsourcing, no machines
You’ll get a one-of-a-kind piece of art made from your wedding negatives
They take time, skill, and a lot of love. But that’s what makes them so special.

Film photography is for couples who love art. Who want their wedding photos to feel timeless and tactile, not just like what’s on Instagram this month.
It’s for people who understand the magic of craft. The joy of slowing down. The beauty of something made by hand.