Film Photography

Lacuna Lofts rooftop wedding ceremony photo shot on Fujifilm 35mm color film

Your Wedding Day captured on Film.

After a 12-year hiatus, I started shooting film again in 2024… and will never look back! I first started learning photography on a film camera: processing and developing my own film in a dark room, and enlarging my own prints. The transition to digital came shortly after, and though it has many advantages, working with film has always been my first photography love! There’s no denying that there’s something so timeless about this vintage medium – it just feels different. Film photography has certainly made a comeback in recent years, and more and more couples are drawn to it for their own weddings.

We are SO excited to officially start offering this service to our couples for wedding and engagement photography. All weddings and sessions will be primarily captured digitally, but for couples who want the nostalgic look of film photography, we GOT you! The idea is to enhance your wedding story with the textures and depth of film photography. One complimentary roll of film is included with every Primary Collection.

FULL DAY COVERAGE

For couples who want a full representation of their wedding day on film. Our goal is for your film gallery to emulate your digital gallery as much as possible, prioritizing portraits and good light. From getting ready and detail shots to the party on the dance floor, we’re excited to tell the story of your day in this way! Full day coverage averages around 10 rolls of film per wedding, and includes a dedicated film photographer for the duration of your scheduled photography time.

color // $3000

black and white // $3500

Bride's shoes and spring floral bouquet sit on green velvet chair with embroidered veil at Pendry Chicago hotel
Bride puts on earrings in suite at Pendry Chicago hotel captured on film
Groom gets ready in hotel room at Pendry Chicago captured on film
Happy bride and groom hold hands while walking outside the Carbide and Carbon building in Chicago captured on film
Romantic photo of bride and groom on Chicago bride with flowing veil captured on film
Candid photo of bride and bridesmaids laughing in front of gold doors in downtown Chicago captured on film
Wedding party stands outside Wrigley Building overlooking Chicago River captured on film
Wedding party stands on LaSalle Bridge with downtown Chicago skyline and fog captured on film
Family photo under floral installation at The Arbory Chicago wedding venue captured on film
Bride and groom watch on velvet couch as witness signs their Ketubah in bridal suite at The Arbory Chicago
Detail photo of Ketubah in bridal suite at Arbory wedding venue before bride and groom sign with witnesses
Film photo of bride and groom exchanging vows during wedding ceremony at The Arbory Chicago
Bride and groom hold hands in doorway of The Arbory Chicago wedding venue in front of coral pink floral mural
Groom looks lovingly at bride during wedding ceremony at The Arbory Chicago
Bride and groom stand under skylight and string lights during their Arbory Chicago wedding ceremony captured on film
Bride and groom dip and kiss mid-aisle while guests applaud after their Arbory Chicago wedding ceremony captured on film
Film photo of bride and groom feeding each other wedding cake at their Arbory Chicago wedding reception
Film photo of bride and groom's first dance under string lights at The Arbory Chicago
Candid photo of bride and groom dancing under string lights during their Arbory Chicago wedding reception captured on film
Bride and groom celebrate with bottle of sparkling wine in front of colorful door mural at The Arbory Chicago

SINGLE ROLL

Included with all Primary Collections, you have the option to add a single roll of film to any Associate Collection. This is a great option if you’re looking for that vintage vibe in just a select group of photos. Each roll contains 36 frames, but don’t expect them all to turn out perfectly! Single roll film galleries average around 25 frames per wedding, including some blur and other delightful quirks.

Looking for more than just a handful of film photos, but don’t want full day coverage? We can accommodate up to two rolls of film per wedding without a designated film photographer.

color // $500

black and white // $600

Happy bride stands in front of cabin at Starved Rock State Park elopement captured on film
Salt and pepper diamond rings in wooden ring box surrounded by spring florals at Kimpton Gray Hotel in downtown Chicago
Black and white minimal style invitation with bridal details for University of Chicago wedding ceremony
Bride and groom read vows to each other outside Bond Chapel on University of Chicago campus
Two brides stand on spiral staircase at The Rookery Building during their first look before Chicago wedding ceremony
Guests mingle in backyard during dinner at spring Firehouse Chicago wedding reception
Bride and groom stand at altar during Firehouse Chicago garden wedding ceremony with spring florals
Bride and bride stand with colorful florals on Chicago bridge after wedding photos at The Rookery Building
Happy newlyweds smile under colorful floral arch during spring wedding ceremony at Firehouse Chicago
Blurry photo of couple smiling during speeches in outdoor garden at Firehouse Chicago wedding reception captured on film
Bride and bride stand in downtown Chicago street in front of Board of Trade Building with spring floral bouquets
Bride and bride kiss in front of colorful I Love You wall at Lacuna Lofts wedding venue
Bride and groom dance in French Canyon at Starved Rock State Park with romantic waterfall after intimate elopement
Bride's sister gives speech while holding toddler and brides sit at head table holding up phone for speaker to read from at Lacuna Lofts wedding reception
Bride and groom hold hands during wedding ceremony at University of Chicago Bond Chapel captured on film
Just married bride and groom smile with their dogs wearing flower crowns after their Starved Rock State Park elopement
Black and white photo of wedding party in front of evergreen wall at Lurie Garden in downtown Chicago captured on film
Romantic black and white photo of bride and groom under veil in downtown Chicago
Romantic photo of couple standing among stacks of books at their Chicago Library wedding captured on black and white film
Bride and groom dance with guests during their Chicago Library wedding at 190 S. LaSalle

ENGAGEMENT

Love the film look so much you want it for your engagement photos, too? On the fence about whether to add film for your wedding, and want to try it out during your engagement session first? Obsessed with all things analog and want to see a real film photographer in action?! These are all great reasons to add a single roll of film to your engagement session! Pricing is the same as a single roll for weddings.

Happy couple smiles while standing on Brooklyn Bridge during their spring New York City engagement session
Romantic silhouette of couple standing on rocks during DUMBO engagement session with Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge in background
Romantic photo of couple standing in tiled archway at Bethesda Terrace in Central Park during their spring New York City engagement session
Couple stands in cobblestone street at South Street Seaport in the rain during their spring New York City engagement session
Black and white film engagement photo of couple in archway of Bethesda Terrace in Central Park, New York City
Black and white film photo of couple at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City
Black and white film engagement photo of couple kissing at South Street Seaport in New York City in the rain
Black and white photo of couple looking out at Turtle Pond from Belvedere Castle in Central Park during their NYC engagement session captured on film

FAQ

What type of film do you shoot with?

I primarily shoot with Fujifilm Superia (now Fuji 400) for color, and Ilford XP2 for black and white. After much experimentation, I’ve found that these film stocks most closely resemble my digital editing style.

What film cameras do you use?

Right now I’m loving my vintage Canon AE-1, first released in 1976. I also own a Contax T2 point-and-shoot (released 1991), which you may see me carrying around at your wedding! My team shoots on various other film cameras, including Canon F-1, Minolta and Pentax.

Why do you enjoy working with film so much?

I’m so happy you asked! Basically, film is a super fun tool for photography nerds like me who enjoy the process of creating an image. I could go on about the tones, the colors… the fact that film is imperfect by nature. But more than that, shooting film requires a great deal of attention and understanding of how a camera actually works! And – because there are only 36 frames per roll of film, every single image is captured with intention. Of course, this means you can expect some in-between moments, eyes closed, and accidental blur!

All of these things are what make film so unique, raw, and REAL. Not to mention: unlike digital photography, we don’t get to see the photos immediately on the back of our camera. Sometimes it can take up to a week or two to receive scans back from the lab, and you’d better believe I’ll drop everything to look at them as soon as they’re ready!

Do you develop your own film?

Currently I do not develop my own film. I partner with the pros at LATITUDE film lab who do an amazing job, and I trust completely with my negatives.

We’re still deciding on film photography, can I book this service at a later date?

Yes! You can even book a single roll for your engagement session to get an idea of what the process is like. If you LOVE the look of your engagement photos on film, we can add film photography to your wedding collection at any time.

I understand that some imperfection is to be expected when working with film. But what happens if ALL my images turn out blurry?

In the unlikely scenario that every single frame on your roll of film turns out unintentionally blurry (or too dark or too bright, etc.), I will happily refund what you paid for film photography services.

Do I get to keep the negatives?

At this time, we are not offering negatives to our couples. Your film scans will be delivered in the same digital download gallery as your digital photos.

Can I view a sample film gallery?

Of course! We have plenty to share, just ask!

Ready to book Film Photography for your wedding day?
Have another question first?
Get in touch, I’m happy to help!

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Contact

I can’t wait to hear from you!
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Don’t like forms? Email: hello@emullinsphoto.com

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All other inquiries

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About

Chicago wedding photographer Emma Mullins Photography in her studio with film camera

Hellooo, world!

I’m Emma (She/Her): Beer nerd, cat-whisperer, Chicago wedding photographer shooting digital and film. I’ve been helping couples relive their wedding memories since 2014, and wouldn’t have it any other way! Over the years I have found this job to be unexpectedly rewarding; the role I ultimately play in many couples’ family history is not something I take for granted.

Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I currently reside in Chicago with my designer-turned-handyman partner and our two spunky felines. When I’m not photographing couples in love, I’m either hanging with these three, managing our West Town studio space, or traveling someplace new!

A Few of My Favorite Things:
  • Black coffee
  • Buttercream frosting
  • Road trips
  • Watching the sun rise
  • Pretending I sound like Mariah Carey
  • Belgian beer
  • The Green Bay Packers
  • My little fam: Jeremy, Vince and Miike (Mee-kay)
  • Halloween (the holiday – not the movie. Okay, the movie’s pretty good too.)
About You

You want stunning, true-to-life wedding photos that look and feel like YOU. You don’t want to feel stiff or look too “posed.” You love the look of film and value the art of photography. And most importantly, you want to ENJOY your wedding day while we capture the good stuff.

Whether you thrive in the spotlight or cringe at the thought of being photographed, we are there to capture your memories. And let’s be honest: your wedding day is going to be AWESOME. No matter what goes according to plan or how many things surprise you, at the end of the day you’ll be married to Your Person. And, spoiler alert: that’s what this is all about!

My Approach

My relaxed, documentary approach allows couples to feel totally comfortable in front of the camera (it’s the number one thing mentioned in my Reviews!). Expect a mix of candid moments and contemporary portraiture, with the occasional embarrassing (aka HILARIOUS) dance floor photo. I will be your hype girl during portrait time (seriously!) – and just might convince you stop in the middle of downtown traffic for an epic portrait on film. We’ll get to know each other throughout the process, and it doesn’t stop on wedding day! I want to show up with hugs and handshakes – not as just another vendor.

Sound like what you’re looking for in a Chicago wedding photographer? Inquire about your wedding HERE!

Emma Mullins Photography embraces diversity and inclusivity. We are LGBTQIA+ friendly and honored to serve humans of every background, gender and identity. 

The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame winner Emma Mullins Photography
2024 Best of Weddings winner Emma Mullins Photography
2023 Best of Weddings winner Emma Mullins Photography
2022 Best of Weddings winner Emma Mullins Photography
2021 Best of Weddings winner Emma Mullins Photography
2020 Best of Weddings winner Emma Mullins Photography
2019 Best of Weddings winner Emma Mullins Photography
2018 Best of Weddings winner Emma Mullins Photography
2023 Couples' Choice Awards winner Emma Mullins Photography
2022 Couples' Choice Awards winner Emma Mullins Photography
2020 Couples' Choice Awards winner Emma Mullins Photography
2019 Couples' Choice Awards winner Emma Mullins Photography
2018 Couples' Choice Awards winner Emma Mullins Photography
Emma Mullins Photography named one of the Best Wedding Photographers in Chicago by Expertise.com in 2024
Emma Mullins Photography named one of the Best Wedding Photographers in Chicago by Expertise.com in 2023
Emma Mullins Photography named one of the Best Wedding Photographers in Chicago by Expertise.com in 2022
Emma Mullins Photography named one of the Best Wedding Photographers in Chicago by Expertise.com in 2021
Emma Mullins Photography named one of the Best Wedding Photographers in Chicago by Expertise.com in 2020
Emma Mullins Photography named one of the Best Wedding Photographers in Chicago by Expertise.com in 2019
Emma Mullins Photography named on of Chicago's top wedding photographers by Party Slate
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Pricing

Wedding Day coverage averages at $7500. Primary collections include a fully edited digital download gallery, engagement session, and complimentary roll of film. Photography coverage is fully customizable to fit your needs. For detailed pricing and availability, inquire HERE.

Associate Collections start at $4500, including two photographers and an engagement session. Full and partial coverage options available.

Film Photography starts at $500 per roll. Full and partial coverage options available. More details available HERE!

Engagement sessions start at $750. Special rate available to Wedding Clients.

Videography services start at $3000, with Live Streaming at $1250. More information can be found HERE.

Photo Booth rental starts at $750. Learn all about the booth HERE!

Microwedding coverage starts at $3600.

Elopement coverage starts at $2750.

Surprise Proposal coverage starts at $900.

Destination wedding coverage starts at $9500 and includes travel and accommodations.

Other sessions offered include Lifestyle, Maternity, Content + Branding and other life events! Contact me for rates and availability.

My current Wish List for destination weddings includes New Zealand, Italy, Portugal, and anywhere in South America! If you are planning to get married in any of these locations I would LOVE to chat!!!

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Travel

Traveling is my thing.

I don’t know what I would do with myself if I couldn’t explore new places. After a three-year hiatus, my free time is constantly filled with travel dates! Not only does traveling fuel my creativity, it encourages me to learn and grow as a citizen of this planet.

So far I have photographed weddings throughout the Midwest, Mexico, Hawaii, Italy, Utah, New York City, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. But don’t worry: the list is growing! If you’re dreaming of a destination wedding, get in touch ASAP. Destination wedding coverage begins at $9500 including two photographers, travel and accommodations. Custom pricing available for bucket list locations (just ask!).

Inquire about your destination wedding HERE!

Silhouette of palm trees at Venice Beach, California with colorful sunset

Keep an eye on upcoming travel dates to book your destination wedding or session!!

Upcoming Travel Dates:

2024

April
New York City
Jersey City, NJ
Milan and Lake Como, Italy

May
New York City

June
Milwaukee, WI

September
Los Angeles, CA

October
Playa del Carmen
Tulum

December
Santa Barbara, CA

2025

January-February
Mexico City

April
United Kingdom
Ireland