Film vs. Digital Photography: Why I Love Both

Have you ever wondered what happened to the classic, vintage look of photography? Why do our grandparents’ wedding photos seem so warm, nostalgic, and inviting? Why do the colors in our parents’ high school yearbooks seem more vibrant? A big reason for that is that these were most likely photographed on a film camera!

Film has been around for ages. For a lot of people, it’s the only way they took pictures. Then the digital age of photography came. Digital cameras are fast, convenient, and you can get the images almost instantly! So why has film made such a comeback recently?

Digital photography is definitely not going anywhere, but neither is film. Digital is faster, more efficient, less prone to mechanical issues, and doesn’t require a lab to scan your images. Film makes you slow down, take in the moment, and be intentional with every picture taken. Unlike a digital camera, film cameras can only take a limited number of pictures per roll of film.

You may be thinking, “Elana, that seems like such a waste of time, money, and effort.” While I agree that film is expensive and takes more time, I wholeheartedly believe it is worth it. Film brings a priceless touch to photography that I believe is just as valuable as digital. Film adds a layer of nostalgia and timelessness. I am forever hooked!

I shoot with both digital and film. This is called being a hybrid photographer. Since switching over to hybrid, I’ll never go back to fully digital. In my opinion, film is a non-negotiable for your photography session. You’ll want the crisp, clean family portrait to hang on your walls, but you’ll equally cherish the nostalgic, vintage look of 35mm film. I believe you shouldn’t have to choose between the two!

These photos are from Chloe’s session in Three Rivers, CA. I plan to create a separate blog post dedicated to her session because it was just that amazing! I honestly can’t choose a favorite between the digital and film images. The left image is digital, and the right is film. Do you see what I mean? You really get the best of both worlds (cue Hannah Montana).

I want to emphasize that I truly see film photography as a valuable investment, which is why I offer it for all my sessions. My goal is to provide you, my clients, with the best experience possible!

Thank you for reading today’s blog post. Feel free to drop any questions or thoughts in the comments!