Taking Stock in Film - The Film Stocks I Use and Why They Matter

People ask me a lot about film. Usually it starts with "do you actually shoot on real film?" — and yes, I do — and then it turns into a longer conversation about which film, and why, and what the difference actually is between the options.

So here's the honest breakdown. These are the film stocks I actually shoot with, what they look like, and when I reach for each one.

First — what even is a film stock? Film stock is the physical material you load into a film camera. Different stocks have different sensitivities to light (measured in ISO), different grain structures, different color responses, and different ways of handling highlights and shadows. Choosing a film stock is a real creative decision — not just a technical one.

Kodak Portra 400 - my everyday workhorse If you've seen my work and thought "that has a warmth to it," it's almost certainly Portra 400. It's a medium-speed film (ISO 400) which means it handles a wide range of lighting conditions without breaking a sweat. The color rendition is warm and flattering - skin tones especially look natural and rich without being oversaturated. The grain is present but fine, which gives images that nostalgic texture without feeling muddy. Used in either 120 or 35mm it is the ideal 'wedding day film' for all light types and even inside gives a nice texture and color palette.

Portra 400 is what I reach for at outdoor engagement sessions, wedding ceremonies, golden hour portraits - basically any situation where I want the images to feel warm, timeless, and real. It's been the gold standard for portrait and wedding photography on film for decades, and there's a reason for that.

Kodak Portra 800 - when the light gets low Portra 800 is Portra 400's grainier, moodier older sibling. The higher ISO means it's much more sensitive to light, which makes it ideal for indoor receptions, candlelit venues, evening portraits, and any situation where the light is doing something interesting but dim. The tradeoff is more pronounced grain - which honestly, in the right context, just adds atmosphere. There's something about a Portra 800 reception shot that digital just can't replicate. On 120 film - Portra 800 is truly an incredible portrait workhorse that works in almost all lighting situations.

Kodak T-MAX 100 - black and white with surgical precision T-MAX 100 is a fine-grain, slow-speed black and white film (ISO 100) that produces some of the sharpest, most detailed images in the film world. Where Tri-X is gritty and emotional, T-MAX 100 is clean and precise - deep blacks, bright whites, and a tonal range that's almost architectural in its clarity. I reach for it in good light when I want a black and white image that feels timeless and refined rather than raw. Detail shots, formal portraits, venue architecture - T-MAX 100 handles all of it beautifully. This is the ultimate portrait film for capturing crisp, almost digital level details on shots. On rolls of TMAX 100 - I often find myself zooming in, amazed at the level of detail.

Kodak Tri-X 400 - black and white that means business Tri-X is the black and white film stock. It's been around since 1954 and has been used by some of the most iconic photojournalists and portrait photographers in history. The grain is pronounced and contrasty, the blacks are deep, and the images have a timeless, almost editorial quality. I reach for Tri-X when a moment calls for emotion over color - a quiet ceremony, a first look, a candid portrait where the feeling is more important than the palette.

So which stock will I use at your wedding or engagement session? Honestly - probably a mix. I make decisions based on the light, the location, the vibe of the day, and what I'm trying to capture in a given moment. Part of the reason I love shooting film is that it requires me to be intentional. I can't spray 500 frames and hope for the best. I'm reading the light, reading you, and making choices. The film stock is part of that organic conversation.

Rochester NY film wedding and engagement photographer. Portra 400 enthusiast. Let's talk about your day.