Why film? We get asked this question a lot. Shooting with film is an artistic decision, part science, part artistic tool. Having film cameras in our "tool box" makes sense to us for three main reasons. The first is that we learned photography using film, (pre digital), why throw away all that knowledge? The second is that the combination of film and film cameras create soft beautiful images, specifically with medium format film, (which is a large negative), and third - it sets us apart from most wedding photographers. These days shooting with film is a niche market, one which we gladly take part in! We feel that strongly about the art of creating the images we're commissioned to create. Shooting with film does cost a little more, but we feel it's worth it. It's as if film breaths life into images as living breathing photographs. Film, as an artistic tool, captures emotionally powerful images with beautiful soft tones. All the film we shoot gets scanned during processing at the lab. A good lab is most important, our lab of choice is the best lab we've found, we use Richard Photo Lab.

Since we shoot with both film and digital cameras, we're considered hybrid shooters, the best of both mediums. Our camera bags are pretty heavy but we love what we can create using different types of cameras. I thought it might be fun to share what equipment we use to create the images we make. We use both film and digital cameras on most of our shoots, we love and understand them inside and out. The film cameras we shoot with are for the most part the Contax 645, Hasselblad 500CM, Rolleiflex, Widelux F7 and Holga. We also love and embrace digital as an important tool and photographic advancement. The digital cameras we use are the Canon R6 and the 5D’s.

Please take a look at the different cameras we use below to learn more about the gear we use and the images we create. After all, it isn’t the camera, it’s the photographer, but having really great equipment helps! The film cameras listed here are no longer produced, and are therefore even more special. Film and film cameras can still be purchased at camera stores. Give them a try! If you have any questions about film cameras, feel free to ask, I may know the answer! You can also follow us on IG at @karenhillweddings.

FILM CAMERAS

Medium Format Film Cameras:

Contax 645, with an 80mm f2 and a 45mm f2.8 Carl Zeiss Lenses

This camera is one of my favorites and in my opinion, is the best camera ever made. This auto focus camera shoots a rectangle, an actual 6x4.5 negative size. There are 32 images per roll on 220 film and 16 images per roll on 120 film. I use Kodak Portra 400 or 800 ISO film or Ilford Delta 3200 ISO film.

Rolleiflex, with an 80mm 2.8 Carl Zeiss Optics Twin Lens

This twin lens camera is a vintage gem from the 1960's. The first Rolleiflex was produced in 1929. It shoots a square, 6x6 negative, with 12 images per roll of 120 film. It's super Carl Ziess lens produces images that are a little bit dreamy. I use Kodak Portra 400 or 800 ISO film or Ilford Delta 3200 ISO film. I love this camera.

Holga

The Holga has a plastic lens and one exposure, f8 at a 60th of a second. This camera loves light as much as I do. It shoots a square 6x6 negative, with 12 images per roll of 120 film. Since the lens is plastic, two things happen when you shoot with it, first, the plastic lens makes the image a bit blurry and secondly, when light hits the lens, it causes refraction. Refraction essentially means that when light hits the lens, the light wave is changed and causes light to record in the most curious ways. I find this "accidental light" rendering to be lovely, quirky, dreamy and poignant. The images look like they were shot 100 years ago! I use Kodak Portra 400 ISO film.

Hasselblad 500CM, with an 80mm f2.8 Carl Zeiss Optics Lens

This Swedish made camera is a vintage beauty from around the 1960's. It's shutter makes a specific loud "kerrrplunk" sound, music to my ears. It shoots a square 6x6 negative, with 12 images per roll of 120 film. This is a completely manual camera, there is no battery which means no light meter. A hand held light meter is a must. It's Carl Zeiss lens renders images that are extremely sharp and at the same time, a little dreamy. I use Kodak Portra 400 or 800 ISO film or Ilford Delta 3200 ISO film. I adore this camera.

Fun fact, in 1969, a slightly modified Hasselbald went to the moon on the Lunar space shuttle Apollo 11 when astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin became the first people to reach the moon. A little history side note.

Below is a photo I took of the actual Hasselbald that went to the moon at the National Air & Space Museum in DC I shot in 2016. A pretty cool geek out moment, (see the image below).

35mm Film Camera:

Widelux F7

This panoramic camera shoots 180 degrees with a barrel, rotating lens, which I love because as it makes the exposure, it distorts and bends the image. This camera takes in the whole scene! It has three shutter speeds and is a completely manual camera. No battery means no light meter. There are 20 images on each roll of 35mm film. One of my favorites for it's specific fun style. I use Kodak Portra 400 or 800 ISO film or Ilford Delta 3200 ISO film.

DIGITAL CAMERAS

High Resolution Digital Cameras:

Canon 5D Mark III & IV, with the 24-70mm f2.8 ll, a 50mm f2.0, a 17-40mm f4.5 and a 35mm f1.4 lenses

Super flexible in all types of light, sharp and fast with tons of exposure latitude. We shoot in RAW. Black and White is achieved in post processing. These cameras and lenses are great additions to our camera bags!

CAMERA BAGS

We use two Think Tank Rolling Airport Navigators and love them!

This is a top loading rolling camera bag that allows easy access to three cameras on the top with additional storage under each camera, it has a front, padded sleeve for a laptop, hat, reflector and paperwork. This bag fits in the overhead compartment of an aircraft so we're good to go.

I also carry an additional tote bag that piggy backs on the Navigator, and a shoulder bag for film, film inserts and cards.

We use Richard Photo Lab to process our film and have for many years. The relationship between a photographer and their lab is so important. We have all the film scanned and it's sent to us via FTP and we combine them with the digital files to create the wedding day story. You'll receive the entire gallery together in the approximate sequence of the day.

Yes! We love to travel near and far, let's talk!

We've shot weddings all over the country, including Charleston, Chicago, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Orleans, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington DC and internationally in Antiqua, Canada, France, Nassau in the Bahamas, Mexico and Spain. We'd love to travel to your wedding!

We do not, we are still photographers only but are happy to share a short list of videographers we enjoy working with.

We deliver about 100 images an hour, so for 8 hours, you'll receive about 800 images!

Yes, we edit every single photo you receive.

Yes!

Most likely!

To name a few, (in alphabetical order),

Angel Orensanz,

Beach Club, Hyannis Port,

Belle Haven Club,

Blind Brook Country Club,

Blue Hill at Stone Barns,

Bourne Mansion,

Bridgehampton Tennis & Surf Club,

Brooklyn Bowl,

Brookyn Botanic Garden,

Brooklyn Museum,

Bowery Hotel,

Bryant Park Grill,

Castle at Tarrytown,

Cedar Lakes Estate,

Central Park Boathouse,

Colony Club,

Dewberry Charleston,

Gramercy Park Hotel,

Gurney's Star Island & Resort,

Harvard Club,

Harmonie Club,

High Line Hotel,

Knickerbocker Club,

Lafayette,

Liberty View Farm,

Liberty Warehouse,

Lotos Club,

Lyford Cay,

Maidstone Club,

Montage Palmetto Bluff,

Maritime Parc,

Mayflower Inn & Spa,

Meadow Brook Country Club,

Meadow Brook Hall,

Metropolitan Building,

Metropolitan Club,

Montauk Lake Club,

Montauk Yacht Club,

Natirar Mansion,

New York Athletic Club,

New York Botanical Garden,

Oheka Castle,

Onteora Mountain House,

Piping Rock Country Club,

Rainbow Room,

Rams Head Inn,

Sunset Beach Club,

The Carlyle,

The Creek Club,

The DeSeversky Mansion,

The Marble House,

The New York Palace,

The Parker New York,

The Pratt House,

The River Cafe,

The Skylark,

The St Regis,

Tuxedo Club,

University Club,

Wee Burn Country Club,

Wequassett Resort and Golf Club,

Westhampton Country Club,

Willow Ridge Country Club,

Wheatleigh Inn,

Wolffer Estate Vineyard,

Yale Club,

Yale University,

501 Union,

632 on Hudson,

Numerous Private Homes, Churches and Synagogues

For weddings, including rehearsal dinner coverage, our turn around is 8-10 weeks.

For portraits, including family sessions, our turn around is 4-6 weeks.

I've been shooting weddings for 25 years and have been a photographer for much longer. I've actually been shooting since I was little with a Kodak Instamatic. My first real camera was a Pentax K1000, then I got a Canon AE-1, then a Nikon FM2 and then a Nikon F3. Fun fact, these were Frank's first cameras as well, AND we still have ALL our old cameras!

I've been shooting weddings for 25 years and have never missed a wedding and I don't plan on missing a wedding either. I take my job pretty seriously but if I was not able, like the time my colleagues adoption came through and she had to leave the country to pick up her baby daughter, I covered a wedding for her, I think that from the talented pool of amazing photographer colleagues, besides Frank, I'd be able to replace myself.