Film is used by the curious and loved by the soulful.

Digital captures moments wonderfully.  Film captures them differently, and that’s exactly why I now offer both approaches on a wedding day. Let me explain…

In a world where everything is fast, instant, and editable, film is a medium that slows you down.  It forces you to be deliberate.

The result is a series of images that feel tangible, timeless, and  packed full of character.

Film isn’t about what we perceive in perfection, well, not in wedding photography anyway. It’s more about holding onto atmosphere and the beauty of natural wonder. It’s Audrey Hepburn in a world full of Kardashians.

With its slightly softer tones and a natural grain, the highlights sort of glow.  Any little imperfections sort of make everything more real.

For my couples planning a wedding in the Cotswolds, that’s often exactly what they’re looking for.

What Does 35mm Film Wedding Photography Actually Look Like?

If you’ve ever seen an old photograph of your parents or grandparents, you’ve probably already seen it.

35mm film has a depth and texture that’s difficult to replicate digitally.

Skin tones feel delicate. The colours feel richer. Light has a gentler quality to it.

The photographs feel less processed and more kinda lived-in, I think.

A windy hilltop ceremony.

Confetti floating across a churchyard.

Guests gathered around long tables beneath candlelight.

Film has a way of making those moments feel nostalgic before thy are really a memory yet. That’s pretty cool.

Why I Offer Both Film and Digital at Weddings

The sweet spot for me is shooting both.

Digital gives me speed, flexibility, and safety in changing, quick-paced situations.

Film brings the character, depth, and a completely different feel to particular moments throughout the day.

Together they complement each other really well.

You don’t have to choose between timeless photographs and practical coverage.

You can enjoy both.

On the wedding day, I’ll naturally move between my digital cameras and my 1980’s Canon F1 film camera, choosing whichever feels right for the moment happening in front of me.

What Film Adds That Digital Can’t

Digital photography is incredible; I won’t have a bad word said about it. Modern cameras can do things photographers could only dream about twenty years ago.

But film, certainly for weddings, isn’t really about technical perfection. It’s a touch theatrical, blurring the line between art and photography.

It’s about feeling.

The anticipation of waiting for scans is just the best part for me. My family knows when I’m due some film back.

There’s a uniqueness to be found in every frame.

No digital preset can truly recreate it.

When couples get their wedding gallery, they often can’t immediately explain why they love the film photographs so much.

They just know they feel different.

And that’s the magic of it.

If you’re drawn to natural photographs that feel honest, relaxed and timeless, film might be exactly what you’re looking for.

I photograph weddings throughout the Cotswolds using a blend of digital and 35mm film photography, creating galleries that feel modern while still carrying all the character and nostalgia that makes film so special.

Because wedding photographs shouldn’t just show you what your day looked like.

They should remind you exactly how it felt.