Film Planning Tool

Build Your Film Add-On

Estimate how many rolls of 35mm, 120 medium format, color, black and white, or slide film make sense for your session.

Questionnaire

Tell me how you want film to fit into the coverage.

Package Note

All wedding packages and some elopement packages already include 1-2 rolls of film. Use this tool to decide whether the included rolls are enough or whether you want a larger film story.

Service type What kind of session is this?

Length of film service

Hours with film coverage 2 hours

30 min 12 hrs

Shorter sessions cap at 4 hours; weddings, elopements, and events unlock longer film coverage.

Coverage style

Digital plus film highlights A few intentional rolls alongside normal digital coverage. Generous hybrid coverage Film is a major part of the story, but digital still carries the day. Film-first or film only A slower, more intentional session built mostly around film.

Format preference

Help me choose 35mm for moments, 120 where it adds the most. 35mm only i35mm usually has 36 frames per roll, making it flexible for candids, movement, receptions, family energy, and documentary moments. Flexible, candid, documentary, and movement friendly. 120 medium format only i120 medium format has fewer frames per roll, often 10-16 depending on the camera, but gives a larger negative, smoother tones, and a polished heirloom feel. Fewer frames, more detail, best for intentional portraits. Mix 35mm and 120 iA mixed plan uses 35mm for faster storytelling and 120 for slower portraits, details, and a few standout frames. A balanced analog story with both speed and polish.

Film look

Color negative iColor negative film is the most forgiving choice. It handles highlights beautifully and is usually the best fit for skin tones, changing light, and client work. Soft color, forgiving highlights, beautiful skin tones. Black and white iB&W film strips away color and emphasizes expression, light, texture, and emotion. It is great as an accent roll for almost any session. Timeless, graphic, emotional, and documentary. Slide film iSlide film creates vivid positive transparencies with rich color, but it is less forgiving and works best in consistent, controlled, or beautiful natural light. Vivid, precise, nostalgic, best in controlled or bright light. Photographer's choice Let the light and location decide the final mix.

Session pace

Calm and posed More intentional frames, fewer rapid moments. Natural mix A blend of portraits, candids, details, and movement. Fast moving Kids, dancing, events, receptions, or lots of candids.

How much film do you want?

Keep it lean Enough for the feeling without adding too much cost. Recommended A practical amount for a complete film layer. Build an archive More film, more variety, and more room for experiments.

Estimate

Recommended film plan

0 estimated rolls

Format breakdown

Film stock mix

Planning notes

Contact Stephen

This is a practical starting estimate. Final roll count can shift with light, timeline, location rules, included package rolls, and how film-focused you want the final gallery to feel.

Film Look Quiz

Narrow down the film stocks that fit the feeling.

Choose the look you are drawn to and the quiz will suggest film stock directions for color, black and white, slide film, low light, and more experimental coverage.

Overall feeling

Soft and romantic Gentle skin tones, forgiving highlights, polished but natural. Warm and nostalgic Golden, memory-like color with a casual family album feel. Clean editorial Accurate color, less grain, polished portraits and details. Moody and timeless Black and white, texture, emotion, and strong light. Punchy color More saturation, bolder contrast, vivid flowers and skies. Experimental accent A few special rolls that feel different from the main gallery.

Color direction

Beautiful skin tones Prioritize flattering portraits and natural color. Golden warmth Warm greens, sun, summer, family, and nostalgic sessions. Vivid color Florals, city color, bold outfits, blue skies, and artful drama. Mostly monochrome Expression, contrast, texture, and classic black and white.

Light and setting

Bright natural light Outdoor portraits, gardens, campuses, and daytime sessions. Changing light Weddings, family sessions, events, and mixed indoor/outdoor plans. Low light or evening Receptions, restaurants, darker interiors, or night portraits. Controlled light Studio, direct flash, planned portraits, or steady light.

Grain and contrast

Smooth and subtle Cleaner scans, softer grain, refined skin tones. Balanced film texture Visible film character without taking over. Gritty and graphic More grain, contrast, motion, and documentary energy.

Recommendation

Your film look

Choose a few preferences to see stock recommendations.

Compare Examples

Good Rule of Thumb

35mm carries movement. 120 slows everything down beautifully.

For weddings and events, 35mm usually does the heavy lifting because it is faster and has more frames per roll. For portraits, engagements, maternity, graduations, and quiet wedding portraits, 120 medium format adds a polished, heirloom feel.