Why I Incorporate Film Photography Into Every Session
If you've worked with me before, or spent any time browsing my portfolio, you may have noticed that film photography is woven throughout my work.
Whether it's a wedding, an engagement session, a family adventure, or a quiet afternoon spent documenting everyday life, I always bring at least one film camera along with me.
People often ask why.
In a world where digital cameras are faster, more convenient, and capable of producing thousands of images in a single day, choosing to shoot film might seem a little unexpected. But for me, film isn't about nostalgia for nostalgia's sake. It's about creating photographs that feel honest, intentional, and deeply connected to the moment.
Film Encourages Presence
One of the things I love most about film is that it slows me down.
With digital photography, it's easy to take hundreds of images in a short period of time. Film invites a different approach. Every frame matters. Every click of the shutter is intentional.
Rather than constantly chasing the next image, I'm paying closer attention to the light, the atmosphere, and the small interactions unfolding in front of me.
That slower pace allows me to be more present, and often results in photographs that feel more thoughtful and emotionally connected.
The Beauty Is in the Imperfection
Life isn't perfect.
Children rarely sit still. Wind catches your hair. Someone bursts into laughter halfway through a photograph. A hug lasts longer than expected.
Those are often my favourite moments.
Film embraces imperfection in a way that feels wonderfully human. The subtle grain, soft focus, unexpected light leaks, and natural colour shifts become part of the story rather than something to correct.
The result is imagery that feels lived-in, genuine, and full of character.
Film Captures Feeling
When people look back through their photographs years from now, I don't want them to simply remember what something looked like.
I want them to remember how it felt: The warmth of the afternoon sun. The nervous excitement before a proposal. The way your child wrapped their arms around your neck. The laughter that erupted for no reason at all.
Film has a unique way of preserving atmosphere and emotion. It transforms ordinary moments into memories that feel tangible and timeless.
It Connects Us to Our Memories
There's something familiar about film.
Many of our parents' and grandparents' photographs were captured on film. Family albums, faded prints, and treasured keepsakes all carry that unmistakable texture and warmth.
When I incorporate film into a session, it creates photographs that feel connected to that tradition. Images that feel less like content and more like heirlooms.
The kind of photographs that become more meaningful with time.
Why Every Session?
Because every story deserves that layer of authenticity.
Whether I'm documenting a wedding day, an engagement, a growing family, or simply a season of life worth remembering, film allows me to capture moments in a way that feels honest and enduring.
It's not about choosing film over digital. I love both, and they each have their place.
It's about combining the best of both worlds: the reliability and flexibility of digital photography with the artistry, intention, and timeless beauty of film.
More Than a Trend
Film photography has certainly become more popular in recent years, but for me, it isn't a trend.
It's a creative tool that continually inspires me to slow down, observe more carefully, and focus on what matters most: connection, emotion, and storytelling.
At the heart of every session is a story worth preserving.
Film helps me tell that story in a way that feels authentic, timeless, and uniquely yours.