Film Family Photographer in Lafayette, LA

Journey to Film

My journey into film photography began while attending college at LSUE my freshman year. I took ‘Intro into 35mm Black and White Film Photography’ with emphasis on photography as a visual art. I captured photos of everything from newborn babies, vintage cars, dancers, nature, and even landscape while enrolled. I found a true passion but had no idea there was potential to make photography a career. The next eight years were spent getting my bachelors degree in architecture followed by receiving my masters degree in architecture. All the while, I was continuing to photograph architecture and many families and babies on the side.

In 2011 months before I graduated in Chicago, I photographed one of the newborns I babysat. I knew immediately I would finish my last semester and pursue photography. I had the camera my mom used in the ’70s (film Canon AE-1) and the two cameras my dad had bought for me in school (film Nikon N1, digital Nikon D3200). Although these did provide artistic images, they were not professional. Moving to New Orleans during the recession in 2011 and the crash of the oil field, there was little work. I tried to work at an architecture firm, but my heart’s true passion was being behind the lens. My then boyfriend, now husband, bought my first semi-professional camera (Nikon D610) that I still have to this day. I am eternally grateful he saw my passion and enthusiasm for a hobby that turned out to be my thriving career.

Becoming Hybrid | Film + Digital Photography

During my second year of full time photography, I did a mentorship with Catherine Guidry. She taught me everything including client experience, photographing, and business. Photographing motherhood was my passion, she enjoyed weddings. In 2012 she asked me to assist her in assist her shooting weddings. It is essential for any new photographer looking to build their skills and portfolio to mentor underneath a professional. I idolized her use of hybrid photography she used at every session for her clients. It was fascinating the way she carried both on Holdfast Moneymaker and alternated each camera throughout the session. Her film camera of choice is a medium format Contax 645 which takes 120/220 film.

I saw the value of photographing using film and I craved to go back to the unique art form I first learned on. In April 2018 I bit the bullet and bought purchased one of her spare Contax kits. The camera does have auto-focus but it will drain your battery. Photographers who use this camera shoot manual focus majority of the time. With squirming children, it is not an easy task. During the summer of 2018, I took a road trip to Raleigh, North Carolina to mentor with Stephanie Bryan. This was an opportunity to photograph in exclusively film for a session. Stephanie lined up two families to practice on the new film medium.

This session is my first adventure into family on film. I borrowed Catherine’s Nikon F-100 camera in addition to the Contax 645. It was a challenge nailing focus in the beginning, but I have come far over the past year. Incorporating both digital and film into my professional workflow took time, but I now have confidence photographing both beautifully.

Film Photographers Contax 645 Workflow

Adjusting to handling both cameras was not the hardest part. However, focusing is till tricky when in low light conditions. Overall, I would suggest any professional photographer work with different mediums to find his or her best fit. The challenge for myself became putting the camera to use during my client sessions. I vowed that year to take at least one 16 frame 120 film roll per session. It made me slow down and find focus to nail each shot. Quite frankly, who can afford mess ups when each frame cost an average of $3.00 per shutter click? Not me! Each time I sent my rolls of film to Richard Photo Lab and receiving them back felt like Christmas morning; it still has that effect.

I have the film lab scan the film to digital form and deliver it to my inbox. Having film has changed the way I edit. It is much easier to edit the digital files with the film matches to reference. Along with the digital scans, I get proof prints of every film image. Looking at the tangible photographs allows me to study each session. I look for images that I can correct in my next session, and I know exactly what my client is going to be receiving. After the session, the entire gallery is sent to the client with both film and digital photographs.

To finalize the process, I send a surprise ‘Thank You’ gift that includes the print proofs of the film images. I am happy to provide my clients with a unique art form I love and value. Do you have any questions about my process? Feel free to message me!