I have been photographing film at weddings in Perth and worldwide for about 5 years now and every time that email with the film scans hits my inbox I still get butterflies!
If you have wanted to try photography using film here’s a few little tips:
1- Start on an automatic film camera.
My favourite 35 mm camera is the Manolta Mac-tele. This camera is a beast, I recently dropped mine at a wedding and completely smashed it (it was such a sad moment) but the camera still works, incredible! If you have been shooting film for a while and your up for more or a challenge then the Pentax k-1000 is my favourite manual camera. They have inbuilt light metres inside so you wont need to carry around a light metre as long as it is working.
2- Don’t worry about buying expensive film.
When shooting 35mm film I usually shoot on Kodak portra 400 or Fuji 400h (which is now discontinued so I won’t be for long) but I have recently found that Kodak Ultra max is just as beautiful and is half the price. You can get this from Big W so you wont need to worry about getting slogged with massive shipping costs.
3- Send your film to the right lab!
The lab who scans your images makes 1000% of the difference to the look of the images. I love PhotoVision in the US but in Australia a few favourite’s are Lazarus lab or Atkins pro lab.
4- Think about your image before you take it. Composition, lighting and the subject.
Whether you’re using an iPhone, camera or film camera you can take a really great image if you consider these three things. Film works best with lots of light or if its dark you’ll need a flash. Take your time, sometimes counting down before taking the image can help with less eyes closed as every image costs money.
For Marco and Emmelie’s wedding at their home in Fremantle, Perth I photographed using 120mm film, 35mm film and digital. Every wedding I photograph I use both film and digital to capture the day. I use 120mm film because its professional grade and is high quality but I shoot 35mm for filler shots or for every day photos of my little one at home as its cheaper, you get more photos from the roll and you can use an auto film camera so you can take photos without thinking too hard.
Em and Marco’s day was so perfect, here’s Ems sweet words after receiving her full gallery- “Hi lovely Amelia, Wow wow wow, thank you so much for your beautiful photos. We have just shared them with our families and we are all absolutely in awe! You captured the day and the happiness so perfectly! So special to have the filmies too, thank you. We have been recommending you to friends - so glad we chose you.”
Planner: @popupplanningco
Celebrant: @caitlinthecelebrant
Gown: @lola.varma
Veil: @harriettegordon
Mua: @tessdegrauw__beauty
Hair: @salonjaimmelee
Florals: @rose.and.bud
Catering: @saltbush_dining
Music: @dolceensembles @ningaloorecords
Rings: @faust_workshop
Invites: @peterkinpaper
Private venue: @arched.window
