Steph and April are the two halves that make up the wedding photography team behind Stephanie Dreams Photography. Their work is focused on celebrating all kinds of love, with a particular emphasis on the LGBTQ+ community. Steph has been a long-time fan and customer to Cameras By Max and we have been following her work avidly.

The couple work together to create beautiful wedding photography and with cameras purchased from us, they have expanded their photography bundles to include analogue film photography.

We sent them a few questions about their work and love for analogue film photography. 

Perhaps the most common question photographers are asked is how did you get into film photography?

Steph: I got my first DSLR when I was about 20, in the midst of me being a fashion blogger (HA!) but it got me excited to start photographing everything and anything, which slowly got me looking into wedding photography. I remember using cameras a lot as a kid, as a family we always had one for holidays and events, so looking through and seeing photographs has always been important to me. I was the person that had the compact on every night out and added everything to Facebook [cringe!] but I think taking photos and capturing a memory has always been ingrained in me, but I don't feel like it became anything serious until that first DSLR.

April: My very first (very cutesy) experience with photography actually happened in primary school! My school ran a drawing competition and I drew a bunch of fruits (very fitting) competing in a race at sports day and won the competition and was given a small goody bag and in the bag was my first ever disposable camera which I took everywhere! After that, at every family occasion, I was stealing cameras and running off to take pictures; these were mainly film cameras as I was born in 1994. 

Photography was a huge part of my childhood and teenage years as I found it a great form of escapism! Then as I got older I really enjoyed the process of film and learned how to develop myself, hunting at charity shops and car-boots for any and all cameras, this quickly became an obsession and soon I ended up with a huge collection and a hyper fixation for life.

I think a lot of photographers have an inspiration for their work, whether it’s their parents or someone they saw in a magazine or even on Pinterest. Do you have any photography inspirations? 

Steph: Honestly I don’t think there is anyone specific or a certain artist; I follow a lot of film photographers on Instagram and I think just togs and artists doing their thing in the way they enjoy is the most inspirational thing. I love seeing photographers that shoot film only for weddings; they're massive inspirations to me as I would love to be able to be successful and do that. I think my talented girlfriend, April, is also such an inspiration to me; the way she talks about and knows about film is amazing, her love for it and the passion she has for it. I love to learn from her and she helps me so much within my own business.

April: I think I have had a lot of inspirations over my lifetime when it comes to photography, in particular film. Growing up, I was fascinated by the world of celebrity and fashion. During this time I discovered the work of Corinne Day, she had previously been a model turned photographer; her work was less posed and more of a documentary style of photography; she would photograph her fellow models including people like Kate Moss during their not so “glamorous” moments, which led her to being described as the “anti fashion” photographer causing controversy. I loved the grunge and realness of her work, the way that these beautiful people I saw on the covers of Vogue, all polished and perfect, were actually real and human and something about it always stuck with me. Corinne battled brain tumours in her 40s and even documented this through her photography, again the rawness of human experience was just captivating. I wouldn’t say this has inspired my photography itself, just my love of the “imperfect” when photographing.

As many of our readers are probably keen to know, which film cameras do you use for wedding film photography and why do you recommend them?

Steph: I use the Canon AV-1 for weddings and it's been my first wedding film photography camera. I still love to take photos on it, I adore how it looks and it was an easy camera for me to get into. I love that it's aperture priority, as that's how I shoot digital, so it just really works well for my workflow. I've recently also bought a Canon EOS 300, which I tried for the first time this weekend. It's so quick and easy to use, so having this for moments that happen quickly is so important for weddings. I love that it's light in weight and auto focus helps so much.

April: I’m currently in overload with my film cameras! I had been using my Bronica ETRS with 80mm f/2.8 + 110mm f/4 for weddings but found a lot of people have been having ceremonies in beautiful yet very dark barns. I was struggling with light so instead have been using my Mamiya 645 1000s with a 80mm f/1.9 that has been working a lot better for ceremonies, both however are beautiful for portraits paired with the right film!

On the 35mm side for during the day but mainly party time, I do have an Olympus Mju II as it’s great for small spaces and for direct flash party vibes! I was also using a Pentax Spotmatic with a stunning 50mm f/1.4 but do find the focusing a little slower and tricky! So recently I have been using a pair of Olympus OMs (OM10 and OM20) which have been easy to use during the quicker moments. However a couple of days ago my wonderful and very talented girlfriend treated me to a lovely Canon AV-1 with a nifty 50mm from your shop! She purchased her own Canon AV-1 from Cameras By Max and it’s been super reliable so now we are twinning and I can’t wait to shoot a wedding with it!

Downtime is so important when you are working commercially as a photographer. It can be hard to get out and use your camera when you’re not at work. When you aren't photographing weddings, what do you like to photograph?

Steph: Usually, I'm photographing my two dogs. April is always my favourite subject, and anywhere pretty we end up venturing too. We live in our van so it takes us to some gorgeous places and being able to photograph them, especially on film, just takes me back to visiting places as a kid and truly makes me love the places I visit even more. Everywhere is exciting, I want to enjoy the small moments and having April by my side doing that is such an amazing thing to capture.

April: Before becoming a wedding photographer, I only photographed for the love of it, my go to being architecture! I LOVE interesting buildings and structures but I’m an absolute sucker for a cathedral. One of my favourites that I’ve photographed being the Notre-Dame before the fire! The Cologne Cathedral in Germany is on my bucket list.

Portraits are obviously a huge part of what you do. What do you think makes a great portrait?

Steph: Portraits within wedding photography are my favourite thing. Having some time away with the couple to capture some moments between just the two of them is such a special moment and usually the lovers really appreciate having some time alone (with me as their third wheel.) I think through any of my photography it's really important that everyone is comfortable because that means they'll be their most authentic self and show that for me.

I love shooting portraits with my 50mm or 35mm lenses. The focal length that most portrait photographers use would be 85mm, but I love being more involved and closer to them to capture moments that happen naturally and having to pose less.

April: My top tip for portraits would be to make your subject feel as comfortable as possible, have a giggle, get their personality’s out and let the moments flow naturally. Also if you are shooting portraits on film just go ahead and do yourself a favour, use a medium format camera and Kodak Portra film *chefs kiss*

A lot of wedding photographers will use exclusively digital cameras for their work. What drew you to film photography?

Steph: I think I jumped on a bandwagon, which is icky I'm sure, especially to film fans. However the more I shoot the more I love film, and I'm so invested now. The realness of how film looks just hits my heart differently; it makes me feel and brings back a nostalgia that a digital photo just can't. I was a year or so into shooting film when I met April, and as they have such a passion for it has just made me more keen and really grown how and why I shoot film too.

April: Film photography has always been part of my life! I had a couple of little digitals over my teenage years and a Canon DSLR when I really wanted to get into photography, but film was always my passion. The beauty of manufacturing every part of the image is what truly captivates me, the way film can be manipulated but the slightest of changes and then the developing process is like pure magic at your fingertips! I love to learn and to feel inspired, I think the uncertainty of film, the constant gamble of not knowing what you may get really excites me. 

Many people will claim to use digital for ease and speed. What is your biggest tip for using film under pressure (i.e. in the middle of a wedding)?

Steph: I think it's important to say that film slows you down and makes you more intentional and that's such a large reason why I love it, however doing it at weddings comes with pressure and importance to capture moments. Having a camera you know well and being able to troubleshoot and not stress if something doesn't go to plan. If we're booked to shoot film, then April is with me 90% of the time. We have different cameras to photograph at same times of the day so big portions are never missing IF something goes wrong with equipment or developing etc. Having an autofocus camera is now a game changer for me as well.

April: Honestly with using film under pressure if you can take multiple 35mm cameras or a camera that’s really quick and easy to load that’s the best idea. If you are struggling with loading, take a blank film and keep practicing until you get it on point. If you are shooting medium format, get multiple film backs and pre roll them so they just pop straight in. Roll film can be tricky to unload and load under pressure and you don’t want to expose and ruin the film or miss any of those special moments! 

For the younger generations, film is a new concept from digital. Why do you think people should have film photography at their weddings?

Steph: I think how I photograph weddings and what I want from my lovers and couples to experience just goes hand in hand with film photography. Being so documentary and authentic just works so so well with film. Being able to shoot film alongside digital is honestly such a joy and I love seeing the difference between both. If you want the most authentic photographs that will make you feel then film is for you, they'll be photographs that you'll treasure for so long.

April: People need film at their weddings because it’s bloody fabulous! That’s why. It’s the nostalgia you can’t get from anything else; it’s like walking into a warm home and popping the kettle on after a chilly day. It’s the tingle of the grain and the warmth of the tones that just seem to encapsulate a moment in a way digital can’t. An added mysterious bonus to your big day.

How does your personal queerness impact your photographic work?

Steph: I think being involved in queer love stories really has made my business what it is and moves my photography in ways that 4 years ago, I could only wish for. Being trusted with queer love is so important to me and has shaped my brand to where I am now. I know how important it is for queer folk to feel safe, see love, have their love seen and feel accepted.

April: My personal queerness is the whole reason for my photographic work! Photography has been a massive part of my life always but especially over the last ten years, however it was always just a hobby. My issue is I’m a perfectionist and I would rather never try than fail. I always believed nothing I do could be successful until I met my girlfriend. Steph and I bonded over photography initially, mine just as a hobby and hers as her full time career. We are learning and growing together all the time, but I am so grateful she gave me the opportunity to work alongside her and be her partner in life and business.

Our queerness and approachability for the queer community always brings us the most wonderful LGBTQ+ lovers and humans. It is such a privilege to photograph their love and experiences and it just makes us both so happy. We wouldn’t have the wonderful, inclusive and wholesome business we have today without them and of course all of Steph’s hard work over the years!

Are there film stocks that you use a lot for film photography at weddings and portraits? Which film stocks do you like the most?

Steph: I feel like I'm still working out what film stocks I love. In other people’s images, I love seeing Portra used, however I've never loved using it, and it's just very expensive whilst I'm still working out what I enjoy. Kodak Gold, Ultramax and ColourPlus are my go to for affordability and being able to grab easily. We've started working with Lomography 200, 400 & 800, as it's cheaper than Portra, but we want to be able to use something in the same film stock with more versatile ASA options.

April: We really are trying new film stocks all the time for weddings together, recently we have been using Lomo 800 + Lomo 400. They both seem to be the best option for when light might be tricky without causing too much of an issue with grain! For outdoors, we really love the tones of Kodak Gold and I just LOVE all Portra especially 160 but the light needs to be right.

What advice do you have for someone who is starting film photography?

Steph: Find a camera you love, enjoy and are excited by. And then practice! I know film photography is an expensive hobby, but doing it, learning and growing is so important to get better and then enjoy it even more. I have my film camera as my third camera at weddings. At 80% of the weddings that I photograph with film photography, I use it just to add to my portfolio and showcase what I do, in the hope more couples & lovers will book with film packages. I know I understand my cameras more now from consistently using them.

April: My biggest tip for starting out in film photography is take your time! Film can be tricky and you won’t understand it all at once. Watch videos, seek advice and understand how shutter speed, ISO and aperture all affect your exposures! I highly recommend starting with a point and shoot with a built in flash for fun, if you do want to take it seriously learn and learn before spending loads of money on film and developing. Invest in a partially auto SLR whether that be aperture or shutter speed priority! Then build your way up, involve your friends and family in your journey, get confident with shooting faces and movement, not just inanimate objects, but most of all just have fun. Film photography is magical. 

Thank you for taking the time to talk with us!

If you want to follow Steph and Pril on Instagram, their handles are @stephaniedreamsphotography and @photosby_pril

Their website can be found here: www.stephaniedreamsphotography.com

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