Why Film Photography?
I recently got this question from a couple of my clients. “Why film photography?” Here is my answer after giving it a good thought.
As a photographer who started my journey with film photography, I have a deep emotional attachment to this art form. To me, film photography is a handwritten letter in this era of everything digital.
One of the things I love about film photography is that every shutter count is precious. With a limited number of exposures on a roll of film, I have to think carefully about each shot and make the most of every opportunity. This sense of preciousness and attention to detail is a key part of what makes film photography so special to me.
Another aspect of film photography that I love is the element of surprise. Unlike digital photography, where you can immediately check the image on a screen, with film, you have to wait until the film is developed to see the final product. This waiting game adds to the excitement. The photos shot by digital cameras are as you expected, and the photos you take by film cameras are as you imagined.
I also love the organic, imperfect nature of film photos. Despite the advancement of digital technology, film look presets and various tweaks, I still believe that film photography has a unique quality that cannot be replicated. Film cameras are usually decades old, and do not have the high-tech features of modern digital cameras. They are not necessarily sharp, and they often have a unique graininess and texture that adds to their character and charm. In a world where we are constantly bombarded with perfectly-polished, airbrushed images, film photography offers the opposite respite. It’s a reminder that true beauty lies in imperfection, and that sometimes the most memorable photos are the ones that are a little bit rough around the edges.
It’s not just the look; it’s about the whole joyful process, from the moment you choose which film camera to use and which film stock to shoot, to the mindful press of the shutter, and finally, receiving the developed film scans.
I have incorporated a film photography add-on to my photography packages to maximise the joy of photography. I don’t develop films by myself or print them in a darkroom anymore, they are developed and scanned into digital files by professional labs, allowing for partially digital convenience. I hope that my couples will consider trying this film photography, as it can provide a fun and unique experience that they may fall in love with, just as I have.
Check more film shots here.
Jamie & Andrew
"The moment we saw people's face full of laughter and smile in her vivid candid photos we knew she had to be our wedding photographer. Her warm and kind hearted personality made everyone feel relaxed and natural in front of the camera lenses and she captured every precious detail of our special day. The result of the photos were above and beyond and we are incredibly grateful for her gift that allowed us to keep them forever as images. "
Dhwani & David
"I was destined to meet Alanis and have her as my wedding photographer! I cannot rave enough about her work!
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Now coming to the big day, she captured us, our moments and our loved ones sooo beautifully. Her style is natural, nostalgic and just pure love, and this oozes through the photos. Even our guests noticed how amazingly she just blended in with everyone. Aside from being talented, she also super humble, meticulous and professional."
Anne & Johann
"She is amazingly dedicated to her job which can be seen through the work that she does. The quality and skill of her photography is exceptional. The photos that she captures encapsulates the emotions of the people at that particular moment and this is far beyond just a really pretty photo. Coupled with her authenticity and kindness, the experience we had was something we will never forget."
Laura & Stefan
"Alanis is truly talented and her attention to detail is impeccable. Her energy is soft, sweet and warm - just like her work. Looking back through her work made us smile, laugh and cry. We are completely thrilled with her work and the effort, time and love that went into it. Stefan and I cannot recommend working with Alanis enough, the whole experience was first class."
"Alanis is truly talented and her attention to detail is impeccable. Her energy is soft, sweet and warm - just like her work. Looking back through her work made us smile, laugh and cry. It allowed us to completely relive our day from more perspective than one. We are completely thrilled with her work and the effort, time and love that went into it. Stefan and I cannot recommend working with Alanis enough, the whole experience was first class. "
Harui & Patrick
"From the first meeting we had every concern put at ease by her incredible preparation, encouragement about posing and overall warmth. As a seasoned pro she was able to give us so many tips about the flow of the day itself as well. On the day, Alanis was a crowd favourite - family, friends and other vendors alike were noting how lovely and professional she was. We are so happy with our photos and can't believe how lucky we are to have worked with Alanis!"
Priscilla & Joel
"We are absolutely thrilled with the experience we had with Alanis! Alanis has an incredible eye for detail and managed to capture every special moment of our wedding. She effortlessly blended into the background while capturing all the candid, heartfelt moments we had hoped for.
Alanis made us feel incredibly comfortable and at ease, which was so important on our big day. The photos are absolutely stunning, each one a perfect reflection of the joy and love we felt."
Bek & Tim
"Our engagement shoot with Alanis was a dream. We felt so relaxed during the shoot and had so much fun - and the photos we've got from it are so special to us. Alanis brings such a calm vibe and talented eye. She made us comfortable in front of the camera, which brought out the real us. The photos from the shoot are some of our favourite photos of us, ever. We would recommend Alanis to anyone in a heartbeat!"
Edwin & Anna
"I don't think words do justice to describe Alanis' talent and skill in photography. As a former photographer myself, I understand how hard it is to be creative in the moment of pressure where every moment count. Alanis has this talent to spot beauty in lighting and composition in midst of a wedding.
All the emotions, the laughter, the cries, and the atmosphere captured perfectly. We were busy and preoccupied throughout the wedding day so going back to these photos to watch the day unfold really helped us replay all the happy moments over and over again..I think that is true essence and role of a wedding photographer."
Jo & Lloyd
"Alanis, you are an absolute force behind the lens and not only that, you are breath of fresh air to work with. We cannot thank you enough for the beautiful memories you have created on our wedding day. The detail in all your shots leave us with a smile and I cannot recommend highly enough of Alanis K Photography. You are officially our favourite photographer and we will not hesitate to use you again in the future. Thank you so much!"
Janice & Andrew
"Couldn’t be happier with Alanis from start to finish. She was so friendly, organised and knowledgeable prior to the big day which for an anxious bride I was so thankful for. Then on the day, she was an absolute pro! Capturing the small, big and everything-in-between moments and her attention to detail I was impeccable. I have no idea how she was able to do what she does so effortlessly that even my guests raved about her! The photos turned out better than I could ever imagine and without a doubt, we highly, HIGHLY, recommend Alanis for anyone seeking a photographer."
Louise & Ben
"My goodness. Where do we start with Alanis. Her work is divine. Her vision shines in the images, and she managed to capture all the wonderful moments and all the in-between candids too, exactly what we were after. We are re-living the wedding in the most beautiful way thanks to her. Her style is so unique, and how she captured the lighting, the colours and mood of the day was perfect."
"My goodness. Where do we start with Alanis. Her work is divine. She instantly became a friend with her relaxed and kind nature, from helping us start to plan the schedule at our first meeting to accompanying us throughout the chaos of the day. Her vision shines in the images, and she managed to capture all the wonderful moments and all the in-between candids too, exactly what we were after. We are re-living the wedding in the most beautiful way thanks to her. Her style is so unique, and how she captured the lighting, the colours and mood of the day was perfect. Not to mention the quickest turnaround time. Her film photography option is a must, especially for a bonus at the end of the day. We’re so happy we chose her for our wedding. You wouldn’t regret it either :) thank you so much Alanis!"
Marie & Jono
"Alanis cared about our big day as much as my partner and I did, showing excitement and passion that brought out the best in us. Alanis is organised, thorough, and honest in her work. She is there at your event not only to capture the moments but also to genuinely support you throughout the day. Our guests frequently inquired about Alanis, noting her relaxed, friendly, and helpful demeanour from beginning to end."
Saenuri & Jon
"Alanis made me comfortable and confident. Her dedication and artistic flair were evident from the start. She was not just a photographer but a storyteller, capturing the essence of our relationship in every shot. Every planning detail, from location to attire, was handled with promptness and creativity. Her ability to ease my introverted nature and overthinking mind turned the usually stressful preparation into a delightful experience."
Jaypee & Victor
"Alanis is a gift, she is not only a photographer but a visionary. She has a talent to capture the perfect moments! We booked her both for our pre wedding and our big day and we are grateful as she instantly made us feel calm in front of the camera. All the images were simply picture perfect! If you are considering a photographer for your event don’t second guess, just chat with Alanis she has your back and your heart!"
Ash & Jon
"I spoke to a few photographers before choosing Alanis - completely won over by how relaxed, organised, friendly and down to earth she was. We wanted really natural, not posed photos and she worked with us so easily - it felt like we were just going for a stroll most of the time and, my gosh, the photos have turned out absolutely beautiful beyond belief. So many people who attended our wedding commented on how lovely Alanis was and how stunning the photos are."
Kierah & Jordan
"We chose Alanis to shoot our wedding after visiting her amazing portfolio on instagram and her website. She lives up to her body of work which captures moments so authentically and intimately. She is also very easy to work and prepare with and adds that nice human touch. We are just so happy with how it all went and the lovely photos we've seen!"
