If you are already familiar with my work as a film wedding photographer, you know why it is so important to me to document in different formats, including 120mm, 35mm, and of course, Polaroid film.
In addition to everything already mentioned on my information page about how a mixed digital and film coverage will change your experience and the way you will live your wedding day, I wanted to write this post dedicated exclusively to one of these formats so dear to me: Polaroid.
What is a Polaroid and how does it differ from other types of instant film?
Polaroid is the original instant photography format, created in the 1940s by Edwin H. Land. Unlike other more recent instant films, Polaroid retains the original size of the classic square format photo (which is larger and has unique definition and color quality), making it much more professional and expensive than Instax film, for example.
Although Polaroid has now released a wide variety of cameras with smaller format options, the cameras and film are of exceptional quality. Instax cameras are definitely fun and easy to use (I myself have one for daily basis) but it is not the same as Polaroid quality.
How Polaroids work
Because each photograph contains the chemicals needed to develop and fix the image, Polaroid film is extremely delicate before and after being taken. Cold, heat, humidity, dust and direct sunlight are the main things to be careful about, so it must be stored in a special refrigerator at the right temperature. The film is prepared in advance before being brought outside, so when removing it from the cold, the ambient temperature must always be taken into account in order to keep it cool or slightly warmer, depending on the circumstances.
The chemistry of the film itself gives each Polaroid an imperfect beauty, and regardless of whether using color or black-and-white film, the results will never be exactly the same. This also has to do with temperature, since depending on where we are the result can vary slightly between pinkish tones or cooler, less saturated ones. Just as there are many types of film for the Polaroid cameras, there are also different paper designs, which is always very cool because depending on the style of the wedding I’m going to photograph and the aesthetic they’re looking for, , I choose the film accurately and always staying true to my own artistic vision.
Once the photo is taken, the camera ejects it and the chemicals inside the photo will continue to work for up to 15 days after the shot, incredible right? This means that the photos must be immediately protected from light and the outside environment so they will not be touched for at least 2 weeks after the wedding.
Once this time limit has passed, I make sure that the photos are correctly exposed. Each of the images goes through a careful editing process, starting with a professional scan. Once the photos have been digitized, they are edited to clean them up (removing small spots, lint and dust) that may have adhered to them when exposed to the exterior. Finally, a thorough general editing of color and contrast is made, always leaving the image exactly the same as the paper version.
The Polaroids are part of the final wedding photo gallery and the original paper photographs are then delivered in a small physical album, ensuring that they are carefully stored so that they will last a lifetime.
The Polaroid Cameras I use
Whenever I have a coverage that includes Polaroids, I bring two original format Polaroid cameras, mainly to have a backup and be covered in any situation. My first Polaroid camera was the Now, and last year I added the Polaroid I-2, which is my main camera now for weddings and elopements. This camera is the most professional out there and features the brand’s latest technology, including an ultra-sharp lens and manual functions, which give me more freedom when creating a photograph than simply point and shoot. Both professional cameras give your photographs an unmatched focus and look, both on paper and in the digitized version.
Polaroids are not a trend
Although some couples consider it trendy right now, it’s definitely not something that will go out of style. Renowned photographers from different fields such as Ansel Adams, Helmut Newton and Andy Warhol (one of my greatest inspirations) used Polaroids as an essential part of their work, and today it is one of the most widely used formats in the fashion and editorial world, besides medium format (120mm) and digital. I definitely recommend my couples to opt for having part of their coverage with Polaroid film (they never regret it).
My approach with this format is to cover the entire wedding day, telling a story from beginning to end, focusing on individual portraits of the couple and portraits of them together, fashion-oriented details, flower arrangements, decoration, the reception and special moments that are not repeated in other media such as digital or other analog formats.
Each Polaroid film cartridge only comes with 8 photos and although the average coverage of a wedding with this film is much more than that, this means that every moment that you will have captured on a Polaroid will be something definitely unique and artistically planned.
Here are some of my favorite Polaroid moments at different weddings, enjoy!
Here is an article that Rangefinder Magazine wrote about my work with Polaroid.