Frame by Frame: Analog Photography in a Digital Wedding Era – With EV Photography
WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY Karin Miller and Jeff Myers, EV Photography
In an age where humanity is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, solving problems with quantum computing and delivering packages in two days or less, it makes sense that we are utilizing digital cameras that produce balanced, sharp and vibrant images in an instant. In contrast, shooting with film is the wild west. So, why the renewed resurgence of film in wedding photography? Once considered a niche trend, film has been firmly reestablished not just as a stylistic photography choice but as a mainstay in modern wedding documentation.
Today’s couples wrestle with the dilemma of designing a wedding that feels simultaneously modern yet timeless. Modern couples want to keep pace with the emerging wedding trends. The ones that jump off the pages of magazines, get Pinned to inspo boards and keep us scrolling on Instagram for hours. Yet, they also want to be confident that they will love their wedding images for decades to come. Every wedding-related decision, including the couple’s choice of photographer and their equipment, are key variables that either help or hinder that balance of modern versus timeless. Choosing a photographer with the talent and skill to include both digital and film photography on your wedding day offers a winning solution to achieve this coveted balance between heirloom-worthy charm and contemporary edge.
For the team at EV Photography Chicago, incorporating film into our work is not only something we love doing as artists, but it’s a service that has become highly sought after by our clients. We often hear from couples who are drawn to the unique aesthetic that film richly contributes to soulful storytelling. Natalie Szydlo, one of our recent brides said it well, “Film gave our wedding that soft, romantic feel I was going for. But I also couldn’t resist the crispness of digital! It caught every little detail — the shine of my dress, the joy on our faces, even the ambiance of the room. I wanted our photos to feel like a love letter to both the past and the present, and having both styles made that magic happen.”
Film’s unique aesthetic and soulful storytelling comes with its own set of demands though. First, film photography demands a specific technical skillset. With digital photography, edits can be made after the event. On the other hand, there is no immediate image feedback with film photography, which means that the photographer must be confident in their exposure settings, composition and lighting decisions in real time. Film photographers also have to understand how different film stock will respond to different lighting situations and how their latitude (how forgiving under or overexposing an image is), grain and color tone are going to affect the final image. At only 36 photos to a roll of film, mistakes have a cost and can’t be deleted. Every shot demands patience, precision and attention to detail.
Along with specialized technical skills, film photography requires an extra level of planning and intentionality. For any given wedding with film photography, the EV Photography team will pack 5-10 rolls of film, prelabel the film rolls and preload all cameras and film backs (the interchangeable modules that attach to the camera to accommodate different film types). An arsenal of backup gear is imperative.
Throughout the wedding day, handling film carefully is essential — changing rolls discreetly, storing exposed rolls safely and keeping film out of extreme heat or direct sunlight are all part of the planning process. Then, after the wedding, film must be stored in a cool, dry place until it’s developed. Film is highly reactive to light and any film that has been improperly exposed to heat, light or humidity will become unusable. It’s not until the film is processed with a cocktail of chemicals in a dark, controlled environment when the photographer can at last view the images.
Thankfully, photographers with this level of skill and intentionality are rewarded with images that possess an irreplaceable authenticity. Film’s tangible nature and fleeting exposures evoke a depth and warmth that digital alone cannot replicate. When you take the sharp, high-resolution digital images and balance them with the nostalgic, emotive quality of film, you create an unforgettable visual experience.
About the Author
Karin Miller founded EV Photography Chicago 10 years ago, transforming her passion for art into a thriving luxury wedding photography business. Deeply committed to each couple’s experience, Karin believes that meaningful connection is the key to creating timeless, emotional imagery. Known for capturing authentic and candid moments, Karin has won many awards and has been featured in numerous publications. Today, Karin and her team are sought-after photographers, regularly documenting weddings at Chicago’s most exclusive venues and telling love stories with elegance, authenticity and heart.
