Nostalgic Film Sessions for the Family | A Delaware Family Photographer Capturing Timeless Memories in Analog

This image shot with Cinestill 400D, pushed to 800

Why Film?

As a Delaware family photographer, I’ve been shooting film since high school—my very first camera (you can read the story HERE) sparked a lifelong love affair. Every dollar I earned grading corn and picking tomatoes at Filasky’s Produce went straight into rolls of film and drugstore developing. I would practically be skipping out of Happy Harry's with my newly developed photos in hand. I can still feel the thrill of sliding into the driver’s seat, tearing open the envelope, and going through those prints, one by one, in the parking lot.

Later, when I learned how to develop and process black and white film, that love only deepened. (I actually teach a class at the NCCA Art Studio if you’re interested in learning yourself!) I was completely captivated—viewing the tiny negatives on a light table, searching for the best shots, and watching the magic unfold as I printed my favorites in the darkroom.

Even now, in the digital age, I get that same giddy rush when I open an email from the lab (I take my film to be processed at Indie Photo in Philly). There’s something about film—the unpredictability, the happy accidents and surprises—that has kept me hooked.

It’s nostalgic, yes, but making photographs with film also feels like freedom to me. Freedom to play, to experiment, to slow down as I bring things into manual focus, to see the world a little differently.

Family Sessions on Film

For my family film sessions, I bring an assortment of vintage cameras with me—35mm and medium format treasures from the '60s through the '90s—each with its own quirks and magic. I bring along a variety of vingtage glass too-- all with different focal legnths which add variety to the final gallery.

I have found that film's natural imperfections, tell a richer story than clean, perfect digital photos.

The pace is slow and relaxed (you can read more about the way I photograph families HERE)-- which isn't much different from my digital sessions-- but when I am shooting family photos on film I am much more intentional everytime I press the shutter. Unlike digital, where I can take upwards of 500 hundred shots in a couple of hours, film forces me to slow down, to compose with care, and to be fully present in the moment. Over the course of a two hour film session, I usually shoot between 3-4 rolls of film.

I expieriment with different film stocks which all have thier own distinctive charm (I am particularly fond of Ilford HP5 for Black and white and Cinestill 400d and Kodak Portra 800 for colour).

After a film session, I drive up to Philly to drop off my negatives at the lab where they are developed and scanned. When I recieve the scans back from the lab via email, I lightly edit, then create a convient online gallery for you where you can download your favorite images, order prints, albums, and other products, and share with family and friends.

I love to recommend printing film photos into a book. This is something I do for my own family and my kids love flipping through them!

Choosing a film session means choosing an expierience that is more laid back, but also a whole lot more soulful. These images aren’t just photographs; they’re heirlooms in the making. If you’re drawn to the poetry of imperfection and to the beuaity of deep presence, to the richness of grain and don't mind a few light leaks—film might just be the perfect fit for your family. I’d be honored to help you tell your story, one frame at a time.

If a film session for your family has ever crossed your mind, consider this your gentle nudge. There’s something truly magical about seeing your memories captured on film—honest, tangible, and timeless, with a whole lot of heart.

Inquire about film sessions HERE.