Now offering film!

I have admittedly been a hold out. Digital cameras have been consistently improving and the image is now, for the most part, just as good as film (saving perhaps 70mm or IMAX). The wedding industry is full of trends, and for better or worse super8 film has been one of them. I’ve always argued, and still believe, that what people really resonate with when it comes to film is the nostalgic feeling it seems to have. I’m not entirely sure its the medium, but rather in a world of digital slow-motion “cinematic” shots, super8 feels free, it feels fun. It feels organic. I’ve always primarily been interested in capturing the same feeling, and I don’t think film is necessary to do that.

That said, I’ve had an influx of inquiries asking about film offerings, and in some cases couples having film as a mandatory requirement. I’ve never loved the extremely shakey, not very-good-looking super8mm film stuff I’ve seen, and so I knew that if I were to go the film route it would most certainly be 16mm. It’s a bit more complicated (and expensive) but yields a much more pleasing image to my eye.

16mm film - perfectly imperfect.

From a personal standpoint film is an absolute rush. I’ve enjoyed using it immensely. It’s kind of like going back to the very basics of the craft - we call ourselves filmmakers and yet I had never actually used film. Receiving my first scans back was a bit like magic - I was completely stoked that something I shot on celluloid would develop and actually look pretty darn good.

Now, looking at these shots, I have to admit there is something about them. Maybe somewhere within the process of filming is the answer. When I press the shutter, I am now very intentional. I get about 2:30-45 mins per reel, and so I have to be extremely judicious on the day. My couples also feel that, because they can hear the film cam whizzing and there seems to be an equal appreciation that something precious is being used.

Knowing that film is extremely finite seems to unlock feelings that digital cannot.

So would I give up my digital cameras? No. I don’t like it when dust or debris causes a scratch in the film stock - it isn’t a perfect image. But then that imperfection reminds me of this very analog process, and something about that is special. I am extremely excited to offer film now, and my goal is to not simply rely on “film” being the cool factor, but rather to create meaningful images and edits that just so happen to be captured on celluloid.

Interested in adding 16mm film to your collection?

Let’s talk about it. I’m working up collections that have film as both an add-on and, if you dare, potentially a film-only collection.