One of the very first things that stood out about Hollie & Will’s wedding was the fun. From the moment the day began, there was music playing, easy banter and constant laughter. Not just between Hollie & Will but with everyone they chose to surround themselves with. It was an all caps JOYFUL wedding.
Their ceremony took place at Bolton Abbey Priory on a beautiful, sunny September day. As Hollie & Will exited the church, guests were greeted by a surprise set from Back Chat Brass and from that moment on, the party officially began. Everyone joined in singing along and dancing right outside the church and then the band led everyone all the way back up to the Tithe Barn, turning the walk into an impromptu procession filled with music and so much energy.
I was second shooting this wedding, assisting the wonderful Annabeth Photography. Whenever my diary allows, I love to second shoot. There’s a real creative freedom that comes with second shooting; the chance to respond instinctively, observe closely and document moments without the pressure of leading the timeline.
On this day, I covered groom prep before shooting alongside Hannah for the rest of the wedding, staying through to the early part of the dancing. I often second shoot with photographers who also second shoot for me, which means we’re completely aligned in how we approach a wedding day. That familiarity allows us to work intuitively together, giving couples a richer, more layered story of their day.
When it came to the evening celebrations, Hannah & I agreed that I would focus capturing the dance floor solely on 35mm film, while she covered the same moments digitally. It’s something I love to incorporate into weddings whenever I can.
There’s an honesty to film photography that’s hard to replicate. It isn’t about curating the ‘best’ image from ten almost identical frames. It’s one click. One moment, exactly as it was. No tweaking, overthinking or editing beyond development. Just the truth of what happened.
Of course, that comes with a level or risk. Film doesn’t always flatter in a traditional sense, especially on a dark, busy dance floor. But for me, that’s part of the magic. These images were never aiming for perfection, they were aiming for feeling and atmosphere. And hopefully that will be what makes them to powerful to return to years later.
I used a single roll of Kodak Gold 200, which gives you 36 exposures and if you’re lucky at least 30 useable images. It’s a film stock designed for bright, sunny conditions so using it inside a dark barn was definitely a gamble. Thankfully, my film cameras have built in flash and I trusted them to do their thing.
The result? Images full of movement, grain and atmosphere. The kind of photographs that feel loud in the best possible way. The dance floor was packed from the very first song and the film captured it exactly as it felt – sweaty, joyful, chaotic and totally unapologetic.
If you’re drawn to images that feel raw, nostalgic and deeply real, then adding film photography to your wedding day coverage might be something to consider. I offer 35mm film as an optional extra, priced per roll and I usually recommend it when a second photographer is already involved, giving both mediums the attention they deserve.
Two to three rolls is often the sweet spot for capturing the highlights of the day, particularly the energy of the evening. It’s not about coverage, it’s about character.
Hollie & Will’s wedding was a gorgeous reminder of why I love photographing celebrations like this. Big feelings, big personalities and an incredible dance floor that didn’t wait for permission to come alive!
