With film’s resurgence, I’m getting more and more questions from couples asking about whether my photographers shoot film. I’ll save you the suspense, yes most of them do. However, after 15 years representing both film and digital artists, I’m here to tell you, it doesn’t really matter.  

What Actually Matters

Film isn’t magic—it’s a tool that creates beautiful images in skilled hands, just like digital cameras. The “film aesthetic” people love can be achieved through various mediums.

“What film stock do you use?”. This is a question one of my digital photographers gets a lot from other professional photographers. Of course if something is shot on certain medium format cameras or something like a Holga, it’s obvious. But if by simply looking at a portfolio the “experts” can’t tell the difference, do we still think it matters?

For me, what matters is what an image emotes. When someone asks if a photographer shoots film, I want to answer their question with another set of questions: Is it beautiful? Does it move you? Does it have vibe?

So instead of asking if they shoot film, I’d ask-

Do you love their portfolio? Does their work make you feel something? Do their images have energy and vibe? Can you envision your love story told through their lens?

Do their images consistently wow you? Look for quality and artistic vision across their entire body of work. Ask to see full galleries and look for consistency.

Do you connect with their style? This could be both their personal style and their photography style. Make sure their aesthetic sensibilities align with yours.

The Takeaway

Some of the most breathtaking wedding images I’ve seen were shot digitally by photographers who understand light, composition, and storytelling. Your photos will be treasured for generations not because of what camera captured them, but because of the emotion they preserve.

In short, choose the photographer whose work speaks to your heart, regardless of what’s in their camera bag.

x- Lisa