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 offer this service for wedding and engagement photography. All weddings and sessions will be 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 all weddings captured by Emma.

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 cheer at their Arbory Chicago wedding
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, with imperfections to be expected. 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
Black and white minimal style invitation with bridal details for University of Chicago wedding ceremony
Two people in suits exchange a book in a room adorned with modern decor and a large window, capturing the moment like a scene from classic film photography.
Captured through the nostalgic lens of film photography, vibrant flowers bloom against a city skyline, with towering buildings standing majestically in the background.
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
Newlyweds kiss in front of a colorful "I LOVE YOU" mural at Lacuna Lofts during their wedding reception
Bride and groom read vows to each other outside Bond Chapel on University of Chicago campus
Just married bride and groom kiss outside the entrance to Rockwell on the River wedding venue captured on 35mm film
Bride and groom dance in French Canyon at Starved Rock State Park with romantic waterfall after intimate elopement
Bride and groom hold hands during wedding ceremony at University of Chicago Bond Chapel captured on film
Two grooms in suits stand on Kinzie Bridge bridge in Chicago captured on 35mm 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
Black and white photo of bride and groom laugh under a floral arch at Walden Chicago after their wedding ceremony
Bride and groom dance with guests during their Chicago Library wedding at 190 S. LaSalle
Black and white photo of bride and groom exchanging vows with the officiant nearby outside South Branch Tavern and Grille in downtown Chicago
Black and white photo of wedding party posing on LaSalle Street Bridge with Chicago skyline in the background
Black and white film photo of bride and groom smiling as they cut their wedding cake together during South Branch Tavern and Grille wedding reception
Black and white film photo of Best Man giving speech during wedding reception at South Branch Tavern and Grille in downtown Chicago

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.

Adorable cocktail bar engagement photo of man kissing woman on the cheek as they hold cocktails at California Clipper captured on 35mm film
Creative Humboldt Park engagement photo with black and white Sick Fisher mural captured on 35mm film
A couple walks and kisses in a garden surrounded by colorful flowers and greenery at sunset, capturing the timeless romance through film photography.
Romantic fall engagement photo in Humboldt Park Formal Garden with sunlight peeking through trees captured on 35mm film
Film photo of couple embracing on a bridge with Chicago skyline and lake in the background during Lincoln Park engagement session
Film photo of couple embracing while standing on the State Street median in front of the Chicago Theatre marquee during their downtown Chicago engagement session
Film portrait of engaged couple holding hands beneath the entrance lights of the Chicago Theatre
Film photo of couple on the Clark Street bridge during their downtown Chicago engagement session
A couple embraces on a path in Lincoln Park surrounded by tall grasses and trees under a clear blue sky during Chicago fall engagement session
Film photo of couple sitting on stone steps of the Ulysses S. Grant Monument in Lincoln Park in Chicago during autumn engagement session
A couple embraces on a metal pedestrian bridge in Chicago under a clear fall sky, with water visible in the background captured on 35mm color film
Film photo of happy engaged couple smiling on the shore of Lake Michigan, framed by Chicago skyline
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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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. A true Millennial, I still own a VHS box set of Titanic and remember when people used to ask “Tupac or Biggie?” (gotta go Pac). 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; as photographers, the role we play in a couple’s 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
  • Moira Rose’s wig collection
  • Belgian beer
  • The Green Bay Packers
  • My little fam: Jeremy, Vince and Miike (Mee-kay)
  • Halloween! My favorite costume of all time was Dana Scully from The X-Files (Jeremy was the cutest Mulder).
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?

Your business helps us support the following organizations:

The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame winner Emma Mullins Photography
2025 Best of Weddings winner Emma Mullins Photography
2025 Couples' Choice Awards winner Emma Mullins Photography
Best of Zola 2025 winner Emma Mullins Photography
Emma Mullins Photography named on of Chicago's top wedding photographers by Party Slate
Emma Mullins Photography named one of the Best Wedding Photographers in Chicago by Expertise.com in 2025
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Pricing

We’re a great fit if you want to enjoy every moment of your wedding day without worrying about the little things. We want you to look back at your photos in years to come, and remember what it actually felt like to be there. It’s our priority to capture your day as it unfolds, while creating gorgeous imagery (and having an absolute blast) along the way!

All wedding photography collections include: 

  • A professionally edited digital download gallery and online print shop, where you can download, share, print, and gift your images
  • Exclusive weddings guide, including tips for planning your engagement session and local vendor recommendations
  • Customized photography timeline to make sure we capture all the moments you want to remember forever
  • Unlimited communication leading up to your wedding day, including a final consultation in person or over Zoom
  • Expert guided experience by an award-winning wedding photography team
  • More fun than you think you’ll have taking photos on your wedding day (seriously!)

Hiring Emma was hand-down the best money we spent on our Chicago wedding! We had so much fun… it felt very natural, not (at all) forced. Highly recommended, 10/10 would do again!

Taylor W.

The photos absolutely blew me away. I feel like we got an amazing deal for the level of quality and professionalism she provided.

Evan G.

She definitely captured who we are as a couple and I’m so excited that we got this opportunity to work with her.

Natalie G.

She will go above and beyond for you. We couldn’t recommend this team enough.

Claire W.

I’m still not over how beautiful these pictures came out!! Our family still talks about how great she was for the wedding day and I HIGHLY recommend her to anyone and everyone!

Jessika M.

I know I am using a lot of superlatives and exclamation points, but this is all authentic. Emma made what could have been an extremely stressful day and night, flow so smoothly.

Emily H.

What we got was a perfect snapshot of the day. You can hear the laughs just looking at the photos.

Eliza B.

Grooms on chairs surrounded by guests during Hora dance at Renaissance Chicago Downtown summer wedding reception

Wedding Photography

Starting at $5000

Collections are customized for each couple based on the unique details of their day. Associate photographer collections also available.

Just married bride and groom walk down aisle after Loft Lucia rooftop wedding ceremony

Microweddings

Starting at $3600

Includes four hours of coverage for 30 guests or fewer

Bride and groom exchange vows during intimate Grant Park Rose Garden wedding ceremony in September

Elopements


Starting at $2750

Includes three hours of coverage for 15 guests or fewer

Candid Chicago City Hall elopement photo of bride and groom during summer 2020

City Hall Elopements


Starting at $1800

Up to two hours of coverage at Chicago City Hall (includes 24 hour sneak peek gallery!)

Including videography and additional items, couples invest an average of $10,000 in our services.

For detailed Wedding Photography pricing and availability:

My current Wish List includes photographing a Las Vegas elopement and a surprise wedding! If you are planning either I would LOVE to chat!!!

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

Film Photography
starting at $500 per roll

One complimentary roll of film is included with all Primary Collections. Full and partial day coverage options available.

Engagement sessions 
starting at $900

Special rate available to Wedding Clients

Wedding Album
starting at $1200

Special rate available at booking

Videography
services starting at $3000

Available in addition to photography services only.

Surprise Proposals
starting at $1000

Up to 60 minutes of coverage (includes 24 hour sneak peek gallery!)

Print Box
starting at $1600

Special rate available at booking

Currently offering Family + Maternity sessions to existing clients only.

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Travel Dates

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, San Francisco, 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.

Bucket List locations include New Zealand, Italy (take me back!), Iceland, Portugal, and South Africa. Custom pricing available for Bucket List locations. Just ask!

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

Upcoming Travel Dates:

2025

January-February
Mexico City

March
Three Oaks, MI
San Francisco, CA

April
Loire Valley, France
Paris

May
St. Joseph, MI

June
Milwaukee, WI

July-August
Mexico City

December
St. Lucia

2026

January
Oaxaca

March
London

April
United Kingdom
Ireland

May
Dublin
Northern Ireland