The Benefits of Hybrid Photography – Why You Should Have Both Film & Digital for Your Wedding

There’s a magic to film photography that I’ve always loved—the way it handles light, the vibrant, timeless colors, and that subtle touch of nostalgia that just can’t be replicated.

My love for film photography is why I shoot it at all my weddings. But I also appreciate digital photography for its speed, flexibility, and capabilities in low-light situations, especially when capturing those split-second, moments. For me, wedding photography has never been about choosing one format over the other; simply put, I want to use whatever tool is best for the moment. That’s why I’ve embraced a hybrid approach, blending film and digital to create wedding galleries that capture the day from every angle.

When I shoot on film, there’s a deliberate quality to every shot—the colors, the grain, even the way I work becomes more thoughtful. It forces me to slow down, trust the moment, and really connect with what’s happening. Working with film makes me fall in love with the moment. Using film also enables me to use a lot of different shooting tools I love, like toy cameras and point-and-shoots. I can lean more into abstraction and embrace things like motion blur.

At the same time, digital is indispensable. It lets me capture those fast, unpredictable moments—a quick smile, a burst of laughter, or the way a dress catches the wind. There have been moments when digital saved the day, capturing details I might have missed otherwise. Digital also gives you a lot of flexibility in low light, and lots of wedding receptions are pretty dark.

By combining the two, I get the best of both worlds. I can lean into the rich, evocative quality of film and rely on digital to ensure nothing is lost. This approach gives couples a diverse gallery— gorgeous cinematic film images alongside documentary-style digital shots.

I often get asked if the film and digital photos will look too different side by side. It’s a fair question. In my years of working with both, I’ve learned to refine my editing process so that the two formats work together seamlessly. I choose my film stocks based on the mood I want to create—some have a more classic, true-to-life palette, while others add a dreamier feel. And through careful editing, I ensure that whether a photo is on film or digital, it all feels like part of the same story.

I’m particularly excited about how this hybrid style will shine in weddings in Western Australia. The light in Perth is unlike anything I’ve experienced in New England—it’s warmer and, at times, a bit harsher, but it plays beautifully with the landscape. And film loves harsh light! I can already imagine film’s soft tones enhancing a vineyard wedding in Margaret River, or using digital to capture a moody restaurant reception in Perth.

So, is hybrid photography right for you? If you love the timeless quality of film but also want the reliability of digital, it might just be the perfect blend. My goal is always to tell a wedding story that feels genuine and effortless—without stiff poses or forced moments.

At the end of the day, it’s not about making film look exactly like digital or vice versa—it’s about creating a collection of images that feel natural and true to your day. Every photo, regardless of the medium, is a piece of that story.

If you’re getting married in Perth, the Swan Valley, Margaret River, or anywhere else in Western Australia, get in touch! I’d love to chat with you about how I would shoot both film and digital at your wedding.

a double exposure of a bride and groom dancing at their wedding
a bride and a groom kiss after their winter beach ceremony
wedding guests dance on film
a double exposure of milk and cookies at a wedding
guests dance at a wedding reception
a group hugs after a wedding ceremony
a photo of a bridal bouquet on film with flash
a bride's friend checks on her before her wedding ceremony
a wedding guest laughs while holding a camera
a wedding party portrait on film
a bride and groom exit their wedding ceremony
guests at a wedding ceremony look on at the couple
a bride and groom in a portrait with the family's horse on film

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