A Little Bit of Film Magic at Weddings
At the beginning of 2024, I started bringing a small point-and-shoot film camera along to weddings—sometimes, it was just for me to shoot a few frames when time and memory allowed. It was something I hadn't done since uni! I did a Traditional photography techniques elective on my graphic design degree, enjoying learning about film and the darkroom. I also was very into my Lomography cameras, as was every emo kid turned hipster in the early 2010s! I even took it to my own wedding, which felt like the perfect way to step back from the usual digital workflow and embrace the excitement of not knowing exactly what I'd get. Which was also very nearly nothing as I left it on the train, and luckily, they were able to find it and post it back to me!
Embracing Imperfection & Surprise
It's safe to say I'm hooked on the film's surprise element (much like everyone else). There's no immediate preview, no quick "delete and retry"— just the raw, unfiltered truth of whatever happens in that moment. Even if a shot is off-centre or the focus is missed by a fraction, there's fun in the imperfection, and you love them all like they're your homegrown vegetables that would never make the cut for sale in the real world. Seeing the final images after a lab develops them reminds me of how you might feel when receiving your wedding gallery, like opening a time capsule of moments you half-forgot even occurred.
Allowing Space for Fun
I've taken two little film cameras along with me this year—a trusty Olympus mju II and a Ricoh GR1s—picking them up in quieter moments or when the mood strikes. Currently I don't make any promises for film delivery in my packages, which keeps me free to play, experiment, and occasionally fail without any stress attached. Sometimes, I get complete gems I never could've captured the same way digitally; other times, I get a bit of a mess—but that's half the charm of film, isn't it?
Some Favorite Film Stocks
- Ilford HP5 for classic black-and-white: timeless, grainy, and perfect for capturing emotion in a way that feels both raw and nostalgic.
- Lomo 400/800 for vibrant, punchy color: great for those energetic reception shots or lively daytime scenes with loads of personality.
- SILBERSALZ 250D for cinematic hues: I fell in love with its look on the Irish coastline.
Why Film?
Honestly, why the hell not? Everyone's at it, and it's just been such a blast to play with! Beyond the nostalgia, film forces us photographers to slow down. There's no immediate feedback, so every photo is a tiny exercise in letting go.
Bringing It Forward
This past year has shown me that a single roll of film can capture the heart of a wedding day in a way that's different—maybe more raw, maybe more emotional—than digital images ever could. I'm not looking to replace my main workflow, but to complement it with these "little pockets of magic." Sometimes I'll even discover a forgotten image of me snuck into a roll (like when I found a shot of myself with two past brides!). Those tiny surprises keep the spark alive.
So, if you love the idea of sprinkling some film photos into your wedding coverage, I'm more than happy to chat about how that might look. It's a small, personal touch, but one that could be the sweetest little bonus in your wedding gallery—a few frames of magic that truly can't be replicated by anything else.
Here's to more creative experiments, unexpected delights, and good old-fashioned film magic in the coming year. If you're as curious about the film process as I am, or you just love the story of a roll of film travelling home with me and sitting on my desk until I almost forget what's on it—I'm always game to share the joy (and the occasional wonky shot) that results. After all, that's where the excitement lies: in the waiting, the guessing, and finally, the reliving.
Enjoy,
CHELSEA X
p.s. Can you find the photo of my wedding
