Film photography at weddings offers a unique aesthetic that digital can’t quite replicate, but it comes with its own set of challenges and considerations. As a Lisbon wedding photographer who recently shot a friend’s wedding exclusively on film, I’ve learned some valuable lessons I’d like to share with fellow wedding photography enthusiasts and travelling destination photographers.
Understanding the Risks for Destination Photography
Understanding the Risks for Destination PhotographyWhen it comes to wedding photography on film, especially as a travelling destination photographer, there’s inherent risk with the medium itself. Film is sensitive, particularly when traveling for destination weddings across Europe and beyond. X-ray machines at airports pose a potential threat to your film during transit, which is always something to keep in mind when working as an elopement and destination photographer.
Starting Out: The Hybrid Approach
If you’re just beginning your journey as a Lisbon photographer or working in destination photography and want to minimize risk, consider a hybrid setup. Many wedding photographers offer a main package that includes digital photos and video, with film photos as a premium extra. This approach has several advantages: you can’t really go wrong when providing both options, and it gives you the security of digital backup while developing your film skills.
The downside? You’ll need to manage the additional work of editing and post-production for both formats. Overshooting becomes a real concern when you’re working with multiple cameras and formats.
My Two-Camera Setup
For a recent destination wedding in Cyprus, I was fortunate that the couple had hired another photographer and videographer for the digital coverage. This allowed me to focus purely on the artistic and creative side of film photography rather than pure documentation. The experience of shooting a destination wedding in Cyprus reinforced many important lessons about traveling with film equipment.
Primary Camera: Canon EOS 3
My main workhorse was the Canon EOS 3, chosen for several key features:
- Reliable autofocus
- Professional ergonomics
- Long battery life
- Ability to mount a large flash (I used a Canon Speedlight for the evening reception and low-light situations)
I paired this with a 50mm f/1.8 lens for general shooting and close-ups.
Secondary Camera: Leica M4-P
For the actual ceremony, I switched to the Leica M4-P with a 35mm f/2 lens. The quieter shutter was essential during the vows—the Canon, being an SLR, is quite loud and would have drawn unwanted attention. The wider 35mm lens was perfect for establishing shots and environmental portraits.
The Leica’s lack of a built-in light meter was a slight inconvenience, and manual focusing takes time to adjust to. For my next wedding, I plan to add an external light meter (I have my eye on the Keks EM meter) to speed things up and avoid missing critical moments.
Future Additions
Next time around, I’m considering adding a 24-70mm Canon EF lens to give me more zoom range for capturing facial details and close-ups, though the nifty fifty performed admirably this time.
Film Stock Choices
I brought a mix of film speeds to handle different lighting situations:
ISO 400:
- Kodak UltraMax 400
- Fuji 400
ISO 800:
What I Learned About Film Stocks
The consumer-grade films did their job well, but I’d consider including Portra 400 next time for a more polished, finer-grain look. One important discovery: Fuji 400 is better suited for sunset and afternoon shooting rather than nighttime, as it tends to shift colors considerably in low light. The Kodak UltraMax, on the other hand, delivered pleasing results across various conditions with nice color rendition and grain structure.
Technical Considerations
Match Your Film to the Lighting
- ISO 200: Stick to afternoon shooting and earlier
- ISO 400: Versatile for most daylight and golden hour situations
- ISO 800: Reserve for night photography with flash (though it can be too grainy for daytime use)
Flash Photography
Always test your flash before the job. I experienced some darker-than-expected nighttime shots, possibly due to sync issues or the flash being too far from subjects. Get a cheap roll of film and test your flash at different power settings and distances at home before the actual event.
Travel and Logistics for Destination Weddings
Protecting Your Gear and Film
As a travelling destination photographer working across Lisbon, Europe, and beyond, protecting your equipment is crucial. Never check your camera gear—luggage gets lost too frequently. I always travel with my equipment as hand luggage, keeping everything with me on the plane.
X-Ray Protection Strategy:
For my Cyprus wedding shoot, I made sure to:
- Always request hand-checking of film at security gates (both departing from Lisbon and returning)
- Remove film from canisters if necessary (some security personnel are more willing to hand-check loose film)
- At minimum, invest in lead-lined bags for some protection if hand-checking is refused
Shooting Day Best Practices
Pre-Shoot Preparation
Arrive early and familiarise yourself with the venue—this is especially important for destination weddings where you might not have the opportunity to visit the location beforehand. When I arrived in Cyprus, I made sure to scout the venue thoroughly. Walk around to identify good lighting conditions and potential compositions. Unlike digital, you can’t afford to waste film testing shots, so use your phone camera to preview compositions and lighting scenarios.
Avoid shooting directly into the sun with film, as this can introduce undesirable lens flare and artefacts.
The Shot List
Give yourself adequate preparation time—ideally a week before the event. Research the venue, the couple, and create a shot list covering:
Key Events:
- Ceremony and exchange of vows
- Ring exchange
- Cutting of the cake
- First dance
- Cocktail hour
Essential People:
- Parents
- Close relatives
- Bridesmaids and groomsmen
During the Event
Try not to interact too much with guests or interrupt the flow of the day. This approach yields more authentic, natural images of people genuinely enjoying the celebration. That said, be ready for posed shots when guests request photos—always have fresh film loaded.
Environmental Awareness
Weddings are chaotic environments with kids, servers carrying trays, and people moving in all directions. Stay aware of your surroundings to avoid bumping into guests or knocking things over. Remember: the wedding isn’t about you, it’s about the couple. This awareness also protects you from potential liability issues.
Critical Camera Knowledge
Know Your Equipment Inside and Out
Practice with your cameras constantly before any job. Every camera is different in terms of loading mechanisms, battery requirements, and operation.
Important example: The Canon EOS 3 doesn’t auto-rewind when finishing a roll—you must manually trigger the rewind mechanism. I lost a couple of frames by opening the back too early, while some point-and-shoot cameras will automatically rewind when the roll is finished.
Golden Rule: Always rewind your film before opening the camera back, even if it’s supposed to auto-rewind. Better to rewind manually and preserve your shots than to open the back prematurely and destroy a day’s worth of work.
The Main Takeaway
The biggest lesson from shooting a wedding exclusively on film? Preparation is everything. You cannot fumble with camera settings while the couple exchanges rings. With digital, you can shoot in burst mode and spray and pray. With film, you don’t have that luxury—but you also don’t have the luxury of missing the shot.
Always:
- Test your equipment thoroughly before the assignment
- Check your batteries
- Know your camera’s settings and operation intimately
- Have backup cameras ready
- Practice, practice, practice
As a professional photographer, you’re paid for knowing what you’re doing. Your technical mastery of your equipment is as important as your creative vision.
Despite the challenges, shooting destination weddings on film remains deeply rewarding. The intentionality required, the unique aesthetic, and the anticipation of seeing your developed images all contribute to a special experience. Whether you’re based in Lisbon like myself or working as an elopement and destination photographer elsewhere in Europe, with proper preparation and the right mindset, film photography can elevate wedding coverage into something truly timeless.
Looking for a Lisbon wedding photographer who specialises in film photography for your destination wedding? Feel free to get in touch to discuss how we can capture your special day on film.
