It all started back in 2017. My mum handed me her old Pentax Super A 35mm film camera — the same one she took on her travels when she was younger. At the time, I had a model test shoot coming up in London. I’d shot countless portraits on digital by then, but something about this little vintage camera made me feel curious — like I was on the edge of discovering something completely new. I figured, why not take it with me?

Up until that point I’d never loaded a roll of film in my life. Honestly, I was terrified. I watched a few YouTube videos, fumbled with the film door, and eventually managed to get a roll of Kodak Colorplus 200 in there. My fingers were shaking. I was so sure I’d done it wrong. But I brought the camera with me anyway and put it in my bag. Toward the end of the shoot, when I’d wrapped up all the “safe” digital shots, I pulled out the Pentax and started firing off frames. I had no idea if any of it would work.

A few days later, the lab emailed me a WeTransfer link. I still remember sitting at my desk, clicking “download,” heart pounding like I was waiting for exam results. I opened the first image.

And I screamed.

I’m not exaggerating. I audibly screamed.

The colours were soft but punchy. The grain gave the image texture, like it had been painted with light. There was a tiny light leak in the corner, and rather than ruining the photo.

It wasn’t technically perfect. But it was perfect in all the right ways.

From that moment, I was hooked.

Since that day I’ve shot analogue alongside digital on so many projects — fashion shoots, portrait sessions, travel, and now, weddings. I experimented with different film stocks and formats. I tried Portra, Ektar, CineStill, and black-and-white film like Ilford HP5. With each roll, I learned more about the way film sees the world.

The more I shot, the more I noticed something interesting. The film photos always felt a little different — not just in how they looked, but in how they made people feel. Clients gravitated toward them. Friends commented on them. People would ask, “What did you shoot this on?”

That’s what eventually led me to bring film into weddings.

What is analogue photography?

Right, let’s get a bit technical. Analogue photography is created using physical film — usually a strip of celluloid coated in light-sensitive silver halide crystals. When you press the shutter, light enters the camera and reacts with those crystals, recording an image chemically rather than digitally. Once the roll is finished (typically 36 frames), it needs to be developed using a series of chemicals that reveal and fix the image onto the film.

From there, the negatives are scanned into digital files, which I edit like any other image — but with a foundation of natural texture and tone that’s already there in the frame.

If analogue film is so good, why doesn’t everyone use it?

Let’s be honest: film isn’t the easiest choice.

It’s expensive. Film rolls cost money and developing and scanning them adds to the price. It’s technically and financially demanding. You have to be careful when loading film, meter light manually (or at least be pretty confident), and shoot without any guarantees. You only get 24 or 36 frames per 35mm roll, so every shutter click is a tiny commitment.

But that’s what makes it special.

It’s not about capturing everything — it’s about capturing what matters. You don’t fire off hundreds of frames hoping one works. You wait. You observe. And when the time is right, you click.

What’s the difference between analogue and digital photography?

Digital photography is incredible — and I rely on it heavily for weddings. It gives me the ability to shoot fast, adapt quickly to changing light and make sure I never miss a moment. I can review them on the spot and make small adjustments in real-time.

Analogue film is all about intentionality. Every frame counts, so it naturally slows you down — making space to really feel the moment before capturing it. It’s a more considered way of shooting that takes confidence and experience. That slowness changes how you shoot. It forces you to be present. It aligns beautifully with my relaxed, documentary approach to wedding photography. I’m not looking to interrupt your day — I want to witness it, quietly, honestly, and unobtrusively.

With digital, I have the flexibility to shoot freely and can edit to echo the tones of film — but I’ll never quite replicate the quirks, the softness, or the beautiful imperfections of film: the grain, the light leaks, the texture that brings a photo to life. That’s why I love blending both in your wedding story.

What does analogue film mean to me?

It reminds me to be present — to stop chasing the perfect shot and start noticing the beauty in imperfection. It slows me down in the best possible way to really look, before I press the shutter.

It also aligns deeply with how I see weddings: not as photo shoots, but as real stories unfolding. I don’t want to direct the day, but document it and using film enables me to be intentional with what I capture.

What happens if something goes wrong with the film?

This is one of the most common questions I get asked when couples are considering film and it’s a fair question.

Film, after all, feels more fragile than digital. There’s no instant preview. And yes, it relies on labs to bring those images to life.

But here’s the truth: the chances of something going wrong are incredibly low — especially with the systems I have put in place.

I use only trusted professional film labs who handle thousands of rolls every month for professional photographers around the world. These labs understand the chemistry and the precision involved. They use carefully calibrated machines, manual quality checks, and safe-handling processes from intake to final scan.

I’ve personally worked with these labs for years, and in all that time, I’ve never had a single roll lost, damaged, or mishandled. The idea of a film roll being ruined might feel like a risk — but the reality is that it’s incredibly rare, especially when you work with experienced professionals.

Beyond that, I’ve built redundancy into my process:

• Multiple film cameras: I always bring at least two 35mm film cameras to every wedding. If one has an issue, I can immediately switch.

• Digital backup: I shoot both film and digital so your wedding is fully documented from start to finish.

I always handle film transport and storage with care. Rolls are hand-carried home, never checked in luggage and it is stored in climate-controlled conditions until they’re safely in the lab’s hands.

Why should couples consider analogue film on their wedding day?

There’s a certain magic to analogue photography that’s hard to describe — something about the way it slows you down, the way it sees light, the way it softens edges and makes everything feel just a bit more romantic. It captures the in-between moments with texture, depth, and a raw beauty that’s hard to put into words. I believe film gives you images that feel truly lived-in and full of heart.

If you value emotion, nostalgia, and artistry in your wedding photography, film might be the perfect addition to your day.

Whether you’re having a countryside wedding, an city wedding or an intimate elopement, film brings a layer of warmth and timelessness that elevates the experience.

If you’re planning your wedding and looking for a 35mm film wedding photographer, let’s connect. It would be great to weave some of that magic into your day.

FAQ’s

Will I still get digital images too?
Yes! I shoot a hybrid of both digital and film. You’ll receive your full gallery digitally with some images captured on 35mm included.

Can I request more film?
Absolutely. I usually shoot 1 as standard, but we can tailor your coverage depending on how much film you’d like.

What if something goes wrong with the film?
I always shoot both digital and film, so there’s a backup. That said, I work with trusted labs and check every roll carefully.