What is 35mm Film Wedding Photography?

You Keep Talking About 35 Film.... What Is It?

In the past few years, I've completely changed my approach and brand to include and revolve around 35mm film photography and digital photography, rather than solely digital photography. I opened my wedding photography business in 2016, so 2025 is now my tenth year as a professional wedding photographer. Time flies... I began with just using digital photography, and in 2020 I started to get back into 35mm film. I say back into, because as a child of the '90s 35mm film was what I grew up with. I didn't get my first digital camera until the mid 2000's, which was a NOVELTY. You don't have to wait a week to get your pictures back? You can see them immediately? Oh my gosh, wow!

Unfortunately, as with most digital mediums, you start to lose the beauty of the analog craft it was based off of. Have you wondered why physical vinyl records have become so popular in the past decade, even though Spotify gives you access to most of the world's music at the touch of a button? It's really for the same reason; analog music has a different quality than digital. A lot of people describe music on vinyl as "warm and comforting", especially with the snap, crackle, and pop that comes with record pressing. This is actually a great way to describe 35mm film as well: it has a snap, crackle, pop that digital can't replicate well. Digital images tend to run cool unless edited very warmly, whereas Kodak 35mm film has a natural warm quality just out of production. It feels like the 80's and 90's photos of your grandparents celebrating their birthdays, but on your wedding day in 2025.

Here is an example of 35mm film wedding photography versus digital wedding photography at the same location and with the same lighting. These photos were taken at Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Church in the garden area. Thankfully it is one of the structures that was saved from the Palisades Fire in January 2025.

The photo on the left is on 35mm film developed then digitally scanned with no editing, the photo ON THE RIGHT IS completely digital from start to finish with my own editing style applied.

The Process of Working with 35mm Film as a Wedding Photographer

I realize that this format of photography makes a lot of sense to me as a child of the early 90's, but may not make sense to everyone. Let me first explain the process of working with 35mm film, and why it is more expensive than just digital wedding photography. 35mm film is a photographic medium that consists of a strip of light-sensitive material wound inside a film canister. When exposed to light through a camera’s lens, the film captures an image, which then requires chemical development to reveal the final photograph. Unlike digital photography, where images are instantly viewable and can be uploaded to a computer instantly, film photography requires patience and a hands-on approach. Film also encourages a more deliberate style of shooting, as each roll has a limited number of exposures—typically 24 or 36 frames—compared to the mostly unlimited shots of digital cameras and SD cards.

Personally, I use Kodak 35mm film, which comes with 36 exposures in the roll. That means that per roll that I purchase, I can get a maximum of 36 photos. They must first be developed chemically, and then scanned or printed to see the final result. Even the result after developing is not immediately useable- it shows up as a negative exposure (meaning dark areas appear light, light appear dark, and the colors are inverted as well). That's why a professional film lab must be used to properly scan the negatives into a digital format or print them onto photo paper. Physical 4x6 prints are probably what you're used to the most with your parents or grandparents photos- think of what's in your family photo albums from the 90's and before.

So that means, as a 35mm film wedding photographer, I must first purchase the unexposed film, then send it off to my local photography lab to have it developed and then scanned or printed depending on my client's wishes. Which brings me to my next common question!

What Final Product Will I Receive with 35mm Film?

This is the most common question I receive, and why I am writing this blog post! All of my pre-made wedding photography packages in California or anywhere in the world include both digital and 35mm film. What that means for you, is that you will receive digital high-resolution images, which may be printed physically, or shared digitally! This is what most modern wedding photographers offer.

I stand out from the normal use of digital wedding photography by also using 35mm film which is an analog form of photography. Along with your final digital gallery, you will receive either:

1. Digital scans of the developed and processed film. These scans can be then physically printed or shared digitally. It's the best of both worlds since you can include them in a wedding album along with your digital photos, print them to hang on your walls while still having the security of a digital backup copy.
2. 4x6 Prints Only. With this option you are getting the pre 2000's experience of getting physical prints back from your film camera, but you lose the stability of having a digital backup copy. You will also receive the negatives which can themselves be scanned and/ or printed again.
3. Or both! If you would like to have both the digital scans delivered to you, and the physical 4x6 prints, you may do so, but this will be an extra cost on top of my pre-constructed packages. That is because both the scanning of the negatives, and the printing of negatives onto photo paper are costly to me from my film lab.

I personally think that having the digital scans is the way to go, since you can then easily print those yourself onto paper if desired, with services like Shutterfly and Freeprints easily available. For my own personal 35mm film photography, I have my lab develop and scan my rolls, then I back up my digital scans onto Google Photos, and print my favorites using Mootsh Photo Printing.

Why Film is Making a Comeback in Wedding Photography

If you’ve scrolled through Instagram or Pinterest lately, you’ve probably noticed that film wedding photography is having a serious moment. But for me, it’s more than a moment—it’s a movement back to authenticity. In the age of digital perfection, where filters and AI editing can smooth every wrinkle and saturate every sky, film offers the opposite: truth. This is also why I am transparent about my work as a documentary photographer, I do not overly edit bodies, skin, or details. I prefer that photos show the truth of life and events, exactly as they were. There are some exceptions of course, such as taking beach wedding photos when a man in a Speedo walks by in the background, and I edit him out (this has happened several times).

Film stocks like Kodak Portra and Kodak Gold already have their own color science built in. Skin tones glow naturally, sunsets fall into buttery golds, and shadows keep their depth. With digital, I have to edit to mimic that look. With film, it’s baked into the medium itself. That’s why couples who choose film often say things like, “These photos feel like real memories, not just pictures.” There’s something comforting about knowing the images weren’t overly polished—they were captured as they were, flaws and all, which in my opinion is what weddings are about!

What My Couples Say About Film

When I deliver film scans alongside digital galleries, I almost always get the same reaction: the film photos stop people in their tracks. Even if there are fewer of them (because, again, film rolls are limited and expensive), couples tell me those are the ones they print for their walls or share to social media first. One bride recently said, “The film images felt like they could’ve been in my parents’ wedding album, but they were also undeniably ours!” Another couple told me their film photos were the first ones they framed, because they just felt so timeless. That’s the thing about film—it doesn’t scream for attention like Vogue editorial wedding photoshoots. And yet it’s often the most powerful part of a gallery.

Why Film Matters in Southern California Weddings

If you’re getting married in Southern California, you’re already spoiled with some of the most beautiful wedding backdrops in the world. And film is truly made for this Golden State light. There’s something about California’s perpetual Summertime golden glow that film renders perfectly—soft, nostalgic, and almost cinematic. From Malibu beaches to Santa Barbara courtyards to Ojai’s pink sunsets, I’ve seen firsthand how 35mm film elevates a wedding gallery. It feels like California itself was meant to be photographed on film.

I hope that helps clear up your film questions. for any more QUESTIONS pLEASE CONTACT me! we can create a custom package together.