Can You Recommend a Wedding Photographer Who Shoots Film?
If you're searching for a wedding photographer who still shoots real film — not just mimics the look with filters — you're in the right place. Couples today want more than perfectly posed digital images. They’re craving honest, emotional, and timeless photographs that feel deeply human.
I’m Lauren Jonas, a Charleston-based wedding photographer specializing in fine art, film-based wedding photography across the Southeast and beyond. In this post, I’ll share what sets film apart, why I continue to shoot it, and how it can completely transform the way your wedding is documented.
Why I Still Photograph Weddings on Film…
My background is in fine art — and film has always been part of my process. I’m drawn to the depth, imperfection, and timelessness it brings to a wedding day.
Here’s why it matters to you:
Film slows things down. It lets me be present and intentional. I wait for the quiet glance, the way your dad hugs you, the wind catching your veil — not just the "must-have" shots.
It handles light like a dream. Harsh mid-day sun? Soft indoor windows? Film renders it all beautifully.
The result is truly timeless. Your photos won’t follow trends — they’ll feel classic forever.
What I Shoot With (For the Nerds):
Medium Format: Contax 645 with Zeiss 80mm f/2 and a Rolleiflex Twin Lens f/2.8
35mm: Nikon F100 for fast-paced candid moments
Film Stocks: Portra 400, Portra 800, Ilford 3200, HP5 & Tri-X for black & whites
I also shoot digitally (Canon R3 + Sony A9) to ensure nothing is missed — but my galleries are curated around the softness and soul of film-first storytelling.
Where I Work:
I’m based in Charleston, South Carolina, but I regularly photograph weddings across the East Coast and abroad.
I offer film wedding coverage in:
Charleston, Kiawah Island, Mount Pleasant, DeBordieu
Atlanta, Savannah, and New York
Italy, France, and destination weddings worldwide
If there’s beautiful light and a love story unfolding, I’m there.
What It’s Like to Work With a Charleston Wedding Photographer Who Shoots Film:
You won’t be asked to follow a rigid shot list. Instead, I’ll offer just enough guidance to help you feel confident and comfortable in front of the camera, then step back and allow the real, unscripted moments to unfold naturally. My goal is to create space for authenticity — the quiet in-betweens, the soft glances, the laughter you didn’t see coming.
After your wedding, you'll receive a thoughtfully curated gallery of hand-edited film scans, delivered in a beautifully designed online collection that feels both clean and elevated. And if you’d like to preserve your images in print, I’ll work with you to create an heirloom linen album — intentionally designed to live on your coffee table, not buried in your camera roll.
This isn’t just a photoshoot. It’s an experience grounded in trust, artistry, and presence — one that’s thoughtfully crafted around you.
Looking for a Film Wedding Photographer?
If you’re drawn to the softness of film, the way it tells stories with quiet beauty and emotional depth — I’d love to connect. I take on a limited number of weddings per year so I can give each couple the time and care they deserve. If that sounds like what you’re looking for, reach out here or explore my wedding portfolio.
Let’s create something timeless.