Why Film Photography is Perfect for Moody, Romantic Portraits

If you’ve ever been scrolling on social media and noticing a dreamy, nostalgic vibe with certain portraits, there's a chance you're looking at film photography. Not the "filter that makes it look like film" kind, but actual 35mm or medium format film. To me, there's just something about film that makes portraits feel a little more timeless and special.

I recently created some portraits in central Oregon of my wife, styled with a bit of a western aesthetic. The combination of a simple black dress and boots, paired with Juniper trees in the background made for some nice, quiet fashiony moments. While the shoot itself only took about an hour, the entire time had a calm, fun energy to it. And shooting it on film certainly was a part of that reason.

Film Creates Texture That's Part of the Story

One of the biggest reasons I turn to film for creative portraits is the texture, or grain. Film has an organic feel and plenty of grain that gives photos this almost tactile quality. Skin looks way less clinical compared to digital, and everything somehow just fits nicely together. This kind of look works especially well when you're more interested in mood than megapixels.

Film Stocks Can Influence the Entire Look of the Shoot

Every type of film has a different look, and some can be dramatically different. You can find just about everything from muted pastels, to purple psychedellic vibes, to super contrasty black and white. It's pretty fun to experiment.

For this shoot, I kept things very simple and used a Fujifilm 400 color film stock. This was the first time I had ever tried this budget-friendly film, and I liked it overall.

It Slows Everything Down (In a Good Way)

When I shoot film, I don’t snap 300 frames. Every click of the shutter is intentional, because every click literally costs money! That slower pace makes the session feel more relaxed, more thoughtful.

With this particular shoot, we kept things pretty simple. Just natural light, and referenced a basic Pinterest mood board to keep us on point.

Film Makes the Final Photos Feel More Personal

There’s a physicality to film that adds to the emotional weight of the photos. These aren’t images that live on a hard drive and disappear into the cloud. They feel like they belong in a shoebox under your bed or framed on your wall for years.

I still get a kick out of just looking at the negatives. It's so interesting to actually hold the original film and just stare at it in front of a light source.

When clients see their portraits on film, there's usually a different kind of reaction. It’s less about perfection and more about how the image makes them feel. That’s especially true with a shoot like this.

Is Film Right for Your Portrait Session?

If you’re looking for something polished, perfect, and ultra-sharp, digital is the better route. This is especially true if you are wanting to create images for business, like branding photography. But if you're wanting something a bit more creative, or maybe even your brand has nostalgia vibes, film is worth considering. It’s ideal for people who are drawn to a slightly retro aesthetic, who want their session to feel slow and intentional, and who appreciate slight imperfections that make images feel real.

I still shoot both film and digital, because both have their place. Most commercial work I create is digital. And a lot of that has to do with job timelines. After all, who likes to wait for developing and scanning? That said, I try to shoot film on more of my creative photography shoots, or if the client has a special request.

I hope this post helps you decide if trying out a film shoot is right for you. It's a stylistic decision, and there are some limitations. However, it might be perfect for telling your story.

-Chris