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Film Wedding Photography

Lily Rose Photography is a Napa and Sonoma-based photography studio offering analog film photography and Polaroids to wedding, portrait, and boudoir clients in California.

Film photography offers a different way to see and remember your wedding day. The black and white images have an elegant simplicity, the black and white tonal ranges are irresistible, don't get me started on the grain (love), the tones are softer, the colors more subtle, and the pace more intentional. It's not about taking more photos—it's about creating ones that feel real and lasting.

For those who want to know more, we also maintain a working darkroom for select black and white prints. It's a hands-on, slow process that connects us directly to the image from exposure to final print. While not every photo needs to be printed this way, those that are tend to feel more intentionally created, not just captured.

We use 35mm and medium format film throughout wedding days and engagement sessions. Whether paired with digital or used on its own, film brings a sense of depth, texture, and calm that many couples are drawn to.
If you're considering film for your wedding, this page will walk you through how it works, when it shines, and how we use it to tell your story.

Choosing Film

Film photography creates a different kind of image. It responds to light and shadow with softness and subtlety. Skin tones appear more natural, colors have gentle variation, and the highlights transition smoothly. The grain and slight imperfections give the images texture and character. It feels more organic than digital. And, a BW image printed on silver halide paper is the only true, 100% archival print.

We use both 35mm and medium format (120) film, as well as Polaroid film, for those who choose it. Medium format film captures more detail and has a wider dynamic range, which works well for portraits, landscapes, and quiet moments. 35mm film offers more flexibility and is particularly useful for capturing movement, candid reactions, and overall atmosphere.

Shooting with film changes the pace of the day. It slows things down. Each frame is made with care, and that slower rhythm often encourages a more natural response. Couples tend to remember those moments differently.

All film is developed and scanned by a professional lab we've worked with for years. High-resolution scans are included in your gallery and matched in tone and style to the rest of your images. Whether you choose to use film throughout the day or just for selected parts, it blends seamlessly with the complete set.

Film isn't necessary for every wedding, but in the right conditions, it adds a sense of quiet presence and emotional depth.

Helping You Decide

Some couples know right away they want film. Others aren't sure. We talk through it with you. We consider your venue, timeline, lighting, and the feeling you want to convey in your images.

Film works well in natural light, particularly during slow portraits or in calm moments with ample room to breathe. Digital is often better when light is low or time is short. Both have value. We help you understand when and where each one fits.

You don't need to choose one or the other for the entire day. Many couples choose to include just a few rolls of film alongside mostly digital coverage. We can show examples to help you decide what feels right for you. If you're curious, we can start with film during your engagement session and build from there.

Polaroids

Polaroids offer something immediate and tactile. Each image is a one-of-a-kind original—no negatives, no edits, no do-overs. The color shifts, softness, and occasional imperfections are part of the charm. We often use Polaroid during wedding days, engagement sessions and boudoir sessions as a personal, unscripted addition to your gallery. It slows things down, encourages presence, and gives you something tangible to hold in your hands before the day is even over. Many couples choose to frame them, tuck them into albums, or keep them as part of their wedding day keepsakes.

Polaroids can also offer a unique experience for guests. Whether used during cocktail hour, reception, or in an interactive display, they add a fun and personal layer to the celebration. Guests love seeing the photo develop in real-time, and it creates small, unexpected moments that stand out from the rest of the day. Some couples choose to display them at the reception, let guests take them home, or collect them as part of a visual guest book.

We have had more that one client say the Polaroid images during cocktail hour were a huge favorite with their guests.