I Was Doing Analogue Wedding Photography Before It Was Cool
I was already working with analogue photography long before film became fashionable again – back when it was simply the only way to photograph anything at all. One of my very first photos – taken when I was just a kid – is actually on my about page. Around that same time, Steve Sasson, an engineer at Kodak, built the first working digital camera. That was back in 1975. The prototype saved photos on a cassette tape and needed over 20 seconds to take a single image. Sounds like science fiction now, but it marked the beginning of the digital revolution.
A little later, in the early 1990s, I used to have long debates with a fellow photo enthusiast about where photography was headed. We both agreed on one thing: digital? No way it would ever replace film.
Well… a few years later, we had to eat our words. Especially when the Nikon D1 launched in 1999 – the first truly professional digital camera. From that moment on, things were never the same.
Back then, I had no idea I would become a wedding photographer. Most of my current couples were still learning to walk – definitely not thinking about getting married, let alone booking a photographer.
I mean, who hires a wedding photographer 30 years in advance?
How far in advance should you book your wedding photographer?
At least 30 years. Ideally, while you’re still in nursery.
Why? Because your future photographer is probably just discovering their first camera around that time. And by the time your wedding rolls around, they’ll have enough experience, stories and lenses to capture your day exactly the way it deserves.
Of course, if you’ve missed that 30-year window, don’t worry – I still accept slightly shorter notice.
Do I Still Shoot Film?
No. These days I work with digital cameras that give me full control over the image as it’s being created. For me – and for the couples I work with – that means complete confidence that the most important moments of the day will be captured just right.
There’s something beautifully uncertain about analogue photography – the waiting, the risk, the delayed reveal.
Film doesn’t give you that kind of control. You only see the result after the roll is developed, the paper exposed, and the image fixed chemically in a darkroom. And it’s in that darkroom that the magic happens: a white sheet of paper slowly begins to reveal a ghost of a moment. Shadows, contours, light. Then suddenly – there it is.
A memory brought to life. There’s nothing quite like it.
Ironically, though, most couples who choose film today won’t ever experience that process.
Are Film Photos Really That Different?
In my opinion – and not everyone will agree – film and digital photos don’t differ that much in terms of how they look. The real difference lies in the process, not the outcome.
It’s not the sensor or the roll that defines the photo – it’s:
- the way you shoot,
- the lenses you use,
- the light you’re working with,
- and the photographer’s intention.
When it comes to digital vs film wedding photography, the difference isn’t just technical – it’s philosophical. That same philosophy is why I still choose to deliver some of my favourite moments in black and white. There’s a reason black and white wedding photography has never gone out of style – it removes distractions, sharpens emotion, and tells the story with clarity that lasts.
Why do couples choose 35mm film wedding photography?
Because they’re drawn to the nostalgia, the mood, the “authentic” feel of 35mm film wedding photography – or at least, that’s what I often hear.
But in my view, those very qualities aren’t exclusive to film wedding photography. You can absolutely achieve them with digital tools and thoughtful editing. In fact, much of the signature “film look” comes from the lenses, not the medium.
Older, imperfect glass from the film era gives you that distinctive aesthetic – flares, vignetting, soft edges, characterful bokeh.
Modern digital lenses, while technically flawless, often produce an image that’s a bit too clean, too clinical. And that dreamy vintage vibe many people associate with film? It’s usually the lens doing the magic – not the film stock.
But do couples choosing film photography realise that they probably won’t receive hundreds – let alone thousands – of photos?
Shooting on film forces the photographer to slow down, think more, and be selective. It’s a slower, more artistic pace – closer to craft than coverage.
It’s worth knowing that before you commit to the idea. What many couples truly want are authentic wedding photos – real, emotional and human – not endless duplicates from a high-speed shutter. That desire for truth and emotional depth is exactly what lies at the heart of authentic wedding storytelling.
Analogue in Spirit, Digital in Practice
Even the most advanced film cameras were limited by the number of frames per roll – usually 36. For an experienced photographer, that’s no big deal. Three rolls? More than enough. Honestly, probably even one.
The key is knowing what you’re doing – framing, anticipating, observing.
The issue isn’t with the film itself. It’s when someone picks up a camera and keeps their finger on the shutter. Suddenly, you’ve got 5,000 photos from a wedding… half of them nearly identical except for a slightly raised eyebrow.
Digital wedding photography offers incredible flexibility, and yes – I use it. But not to shoot recklessly.
I use it to capture moments with confidence and precision – without worrying whether I’ve reached the end of a roll.
Because even though I shoot digitally, my mindset is still very much analogue.
Digital wedding photography allows me to work flexibly, but it’s the analogue mindset that shapes how I see and shoot the day.
