from a Michigan Film Wedding Photographer
In a world where everything is instant, filtered, and endlessly editable, film photography feels like a deep breath. As someone who photographs weddings using a mix of digital and film, I’ve seen firsthand why more and more couples are choosing to add film wedding photography to their packages. Not because it’s trendy, but because it feels honest, raw, and so intentional.
Film slows things down in the best way. It leaves room for imperfections, presence, and emotion to exist without being overproduced. There’s a softness and warmth to film images that can’t be replicated, and when paired with digital coverage, it creates a wedding gallery that feels both complete and timeless!
If you’ve been drawn to the nostalgia and emotion of film photography, here’s why adding film wedding photography to your wedding day might be one of the best decisions you make.
Film Feels Like a Memory, Not Just a Photo
One of the biggest reasons couples search for a film wedding photographer is because film doesn’t just show what your day looked like. It truly shows how it felt. It feels nostalgic and like you’re reliving that moment over and over again every time you look at it.
Film images are usually softer, warmer, and more atmospheric. Highlights bloom instead of feeling harsh. Shadows hold depth. Colors feel natural and lived-in rather than overly perfect.
There’s this emotional quality to film that feels familiar, like a memory resurfacing. That’s why film images usually feel timeless and nostalgic instead of trendy. They don’t chase perfection, they preserve the feeling of the moment.
Film Slows Everything Down (In the Best Way)
Film photography changes the pace of the wedding day in a small but meaningful way. When I shoot film, every frame is intentional. There’s no rapid-fire clicking and no constant checking of a screen. Each moment is considered before the shutter is pressed.
This naturally creates:
– More presence
– Less pressure
– A calmer, more grounded experience
Couples even tell me they forget the camera is even there. And that’s usually when the most meaningful moments happen.
As a Michigan film wedding photographer, I’ve noticed that film helps couples to simply be in the moment instead of performing for the camera.
Why Film Photography Costs More (But Why It’s Worth It)
Film photography involves so much more than just pressing a shutter.
Each roll of film requires:
– Purchasing professional film stock
-Careful exposure with no instant preview
– Professional lab development
– High-end scanning and color correction
It’s a slower, more hands-on process from start to finish. And that time, care, and intention is what makes film wedding photography so special!
When it comes to film wedding photography, you’re not paying for quantity. You’re investing in artistry, experience, and images that will age beautifully long after trends fade!
Film Wedding Photography + Digital: The Best of Both Worlds
Most couples working with a film wedding photographer choose a hybrid approach, combining digital and film wedding photography throughout their day.
Film is perfect for moments where emotion, texture, and artistry shine. Digital photography allows for flexibility, faster pacing, and full coverage of everything happening around you.
Together, film and digital tell a fuller story. One that feels honest and complete.
Is Adding on Film Wedding Photography to Your Package Right For You?
Film wedding photography isn’t about recreating someone else’s wedding, trends, or chasing a specific aesthetic. It’s about choosing moments that feels true to you!
If you’re drawn to photos that feel nostalgic, cinematic, and deeply human, film might be exactly what your wedding day needs.
And if you’re planning a wedding in Michigan or beyond and are curious about what working with a Michigan film wedding photographer could look like, I’d love to talk through how film could fit into your day in a way that feels natural and intentional!
Film Wedding Photography: What to Expect
Yes, film wedding photography is more expensive. Film in itself is a process, film rolls are expensive to purchase and develop, which results in a higher cost.
Film wedding photography uses real film to photograph your day. It creates images that feel soft, timeless, and so full of emotion. Film is slower, so it creates more intentional moments and produces photos that feel nostalgic.
As a film wedding photographer, I have a deep love for film. So to me, I don’t think there are many disadvantages. Some might say the cost is a disadvantage, but what you get in return is priceless!
This depends on what you’re wanting on your wedding day. My advice is to do both. You’ll get the best of both worlds! I love film, but I won’t say one is better over the other (but you should definitely add-on film!)
Meet Marissa – Your Destination + Michigan Film Wedding Photographer
Hey, I’m Marissa! I’m a Michigan film wedding photographer offering a blend of digital and Michigan film wedding photography for couples who want their wedding day documented in a way that feels honest, intentional, and true to them. While I’m based in Michigan, I also travel for weddings and love photographing fun celebrations wherever your story takes you!
Film photography is such a big part of my work because it slows everything down in the best way. It brings a sense of nostalgia and emotion that feels timeless, and it encourages presence. Every frame is thoughtful, and every moment intentional. I love how film preserves those in-between moments just as beautifully as the big ones. It helps to create images that feel real, warm, and personal. Exactly what wedding imagery should be.
On a wedding day, I’m not just there to take photos. I’m your hype girl, your calm in the chaos, and someone who truly cares about telling your story as it unfolds. I’m fueled by good coffee, 2000s pop punk, and couples who do things their own way. Whether that’s a Michigan wedding, intimate elopement, or a destination wedding somewhere meaningful to you.
All love is welcome here, always. If you’re dreaming of a wedding day that feels like you, and you’re curious about adding film to your photography coverage, I’d love to be part of it!
You can learn even more about me here and check out my wedding packages. If you’re ready to get in touch with me for your destination or Michigan wedding, inquire with me here. I can’t wait to hear from you!💛
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