At Sixpence Studios we are deeply inspired by nostalgia. From the visual arts to fashion and music, a longing for the past resonates with us. This is especially true in wedding photography, where the current revival of film offers a unique magic. With its rich textures, warm tones, and beautifully imperfect qualities, film evokes an intimacy that digital sometimes misses, creating timeless memories of your special day. This inspiration fuels our passion for hybrid wedding photography, thoughtfully blending the ethereal beauty of film with the versatility of digital to capture every facet of your celebration.
Timeless Artistry Meets Modern Versatility: Our Hybrid Approach.
Our hybrid wedding photography approach allows us to celebrate the inherent character of film. Light leaks, grain, and slight exposure differences aren’t flaws, but rather elements that create images with depth, warmth, and a genuine feel. Unlike the pursuit of digital perfection, film’s unpredictability results in uniquely artistic and carefully considered captures of your wedding day.
We believe you deserve the best of both worlds. Film photography brings an irreplaceable beauty and timeless aesthetic with its inherent character. Digital photography ensures we don’t miss a single moment. This balanced approach provides a richer, more textured, and (we think) ultimately more satisfying collection of wedding memories.
Why does film photography cost more if you are shooting fewer images?
Higher Material Costs:
- The Cost of Film Itself: Unlike digital, where the “storage” is reusable memory cards, each roll of film has a finite number of exposures and must be purchased. Different types of film stock (color, black and white, different speeds) also have varying costs. As of February 2025, a roll of Kodak Portra 400 35mm Film can cost us $22-26 per roll for 36 images.
- Processing and Scanning: After the wedding day, each roll of film needs to be professionally developed and scanned into digital files. This involves specialized chemicals, equipment, and skilled technicians, adding a significant cost per roll. Because we use a professional processing and scanning company which ensure the highest quality, color calibrated scans, we pay about $34 per roll for this service.
Increased Labor and Expertise:
- Specialized Skills: Shooting film requires a different skillset than digital. We have a deep understanding of exposure, metering for film’s dynamic range, and the characteristics of different film stocks.
- Slower Pace and Deliberation: Film photography encourages a more deliberate approach. With a limited number of shots per roll, we are much more thoughtful and intentional with each frame. While this can lead to stunning results, it can also mean a slightly slower shooting pace compared to the rapid-fire capabilities of digital.
- Separate Workflow: Integrating film into a wedding day workflow often requires additional time for loading and unloading film, managing exposed and unexposed rolls, and the post-processing workflow involved with film scans.
Ready to explore the possibilities of hybrid wedding photography for your wedding? Contact us to learn more about our tailored packages and how we can artfully combine the magic of film and the reliability of digital to create your perfect wedding story.
These images were from Kerry + Kris’ celebration at Lake Bomoseen Lodge in Castleton, Vermont. For more click HERE.
