The Emotion and Intention of Film Photography

The photography industry has been overwhelmed with an intense saturation of digital cameras and equipment, slowly fading the beautiful presence of film photography and all that it has to offer. Being a photographer and artist living in New York City, I have had incredible opportunities meeting talented individuals and working with them. However, because there is an influx of artists and particularly photographers, how does one set themselves apart?
I turned to film about 10 years ago when I was studying photography in college and I have never looked back. It sometimes pains me to shoot with my digital camera because there is a feeling, an emotion, a gut-wrenching beautiful feeling that resonates all over my body when I capture moments on film. This emotion can never be re-created, it is truly an everlasting moment that is not like any other. By the time the shutter has been pressed, the film wound, the focus caught, the moment 20 seconds prior is gone. It only lives on the roll of film you will later develop and become witness to in a week. Those moments are striking and unforgiving.

Intention. This is the word that comes to my mind when speaking about film photography. I study and admire an incredible amount of photographers that shoot on film and I am constantly in awe. Film teaches you to be intentional, not only with your subject but with your content; with what you are creating. This is particularly interesting and important when creating content for others and their company or brand. There is an emotional connection between you, your work and your client. Film has the ability to create an equal bond.




When you understand how film can be used to create this emotion and how it reflects the relationship you create with your subject, you are able to actually feel what your subject is feeling. The anxiety, the joy, the dedication, the pain, the laughter, the sadness one may possess. I feel this is because only film has the ability to capture pure and raw emotion. Fleeting and freeing emotions.


Using film to photograph weddings is one of the most special feelings one may have. To photograph someone on the absolute best day of their lives, to capture their love and joy, tears and smiles, on something so delicate is a precious attribute to have as a photographer. You are able to become one with the couple, living their joy with intention, only for one day and then you pass it along to them. You release the energy to them through your photographs.




We are the creators. They remember and never forget because of us. Film photography is one of the most beautiful, relentless and timeless forms of art still being practiced today. To live intentionally and create intentionally allows us to create soulful, empowering and romantic images while keeping film and everything beautiful about it alive.

