Yana Skakun
Cambridge · Analogue Photography
Film Photographer
UK
Analogue 35mm and medium format film photography for weddings, portraits and creative projects. The warmth, grain, and permanence of real film — across Cambridge and nationwide.
About Film Photography
Why Film, in a Digital World
Digital photography is faster, cheaper and more technically reliable than film. It can also produce photographs of extraordinary quality. So why choose film at all?
The honest answer is that film looks different — not just through applied filters, but fundamentally differently. The physics of how silver halide crystals respond to light is not replicable digitally. The colours, the grain, the tonal curve, the relationship between highlight and shadow — all of these are different on film in ways that go beyond surface aesthetics.
For clients who want their wedding or portrait photographs to look like the work of the great mid-century photographers — the warmth of a Kodak Portra wedding, the drama of Tri-X documentary photography — film is the right tool. I offer film as both a standalone session format and as a hybrid addition to digital coverage.
The Analogue Advantage
Why Film Still Matters
The Grain Is the Point
Silver halide grain in film photography is not a flaw — it is part of the aesthetic. It gives analogue photographs a texture, a depth, an organic imperfection that no digital filter reliably replicates. Film grain is information; pixel noise is degradation. The distinction is visible immediately.
Film Tones Are Different
The colour science of film — the way different emulsions render skin tones, shadows, highlights, and saturation — is categorically different from digital. Kodak Portra 400 gives skin a warmth and continuity that digital sensors cannot naturally reproduce. Ilford HP5 in black and white has a tonal range and depth that remains the gold standard for monochrome portraiture.
Intentionality Changes Everything
When a photographer is working with 36 exposures on a roll of 35mm, every frame is considered. The pace of film photography changes what happens — longer pauses, more direct engagement between photographer and subject, and frames that are chosen rather than sprayed. This intentionality shows in the photographs.
The Physical Negative
Film produces a physical negative — a material object that exists independently of any hard drive, cloud account, or device. A Kodak Portra negative from a wedding in 2025 will scan accurately in 2075. The same cannot be guaranteed of digital files through future format changes. For archive-minded clients, film is the durable option.
Film Stocks
The Films I Shoot
Different film emulsions have distinct characters. Here are the stocks I use most frequently and what each one is best suited to.
Kodak Portra 400
Colour 35mm
Warm skin tones, fine grain, excellent in mixed lighting
Best for: Portraits, weddings, most outdoor sessions
Kodak Portra 800
Colour 35mm
Higher speed, distinctive grain, beautiful in low light
Best for: Receptions, evening events, darker venues
Fujifilm 400H+
Colour 35mm / 120
Cooler, more muted tones, slightly dream-like quality
Best for: Bright outdoor sessions, a cooler editorial feel
Ilford HP5 Plus
B&W 35mm / 120
Classic, versatile, beautiful grain in all conditions
Best for: Monochrome documentary, wedding coverage, portraits
Kodak Tri-X 400
B&W 35mm
Contrasty, high-grain, photojournalistic character
Best for: High-energy events, documentary, reportage style
Ilford Delta 3200
B&W 35mm
High speed, very pronounced grain, dramatic
Best for: Indoor events, concerts, low-light documentary
Questions
Film Photography FAQ
Do you offer film-only photography or a film+digital hybrid?
Both. For most clients, a hybrid approach works best — digital provides complete, technically reliable coverage of all the important moments, while 35mm film is used throughout for its distinctive look and the intentionality it brings to certain images. The digital files give you volume and backup; the film frames give you the shots that often become the most treasured. Some clients request film-only coverage, which I offer for portrait and creative sessions. For full wedding coverage, I generally recommend hybrid.
Does film photography cost more?
Yes — film incurs material costs (film stock, developing, scanning) that digital does not. These costs are built into the pricing for film-included packages rather than being charged separately. A typical wedding with hybrid coverage using 5–8 rolls of 35mm adds approximately £150–£250 to the overall cost compared to digital-only. For portrait sessions, a dedicated film session adds £75–£100 to the session fee. I use professional lab scanning (Carmencita Film Lab and AG Photographic in Birmingham) for the best scan quality.
What film formats do you use?
I primarily shoot 35mm, which I use alongside digital for hybrid coverage. I also have access to 120 medium format for portrait and creative sessions where the larger negative format is beneficial — medium format film produces exceptional detail and tonal quality at large print sizes. I select the film stock for each session or wedding based on the light conditions, the aesthetic the client is looking for, and the nature of the event.
How long does film processing and scanning take?
Processing and scanning through my preferred professional labs typically takes 7–14 days from sending the film. This means that for hybrid weddings and sessions, the digital files are delivered first (within the standard 2–3 week window), with the scanned film images following shortly after. I always send film within 48 hours of the session and expedite orders when needed.
Can I request film photography for my wedding specifically?
Absolutely — simply mention it when you enquire and I will include film as part of the package discussion. Many couples encounter my film photography in the portfolio and specifically request it. I find that the frames from the film rolls often become the clients' favourite images from their wedding — particularly ceremony frames and candid moments during the day.
Can you photograph an entire portrait session on film?
Yes — I offer dedicated film portrait sessions photographed entirely on 35mm or 120 medium format, with the digital camera left at home. These sessions have a different pace and character from digital sessions — slower, more intimate, more considered. Each roll typically yields 36 (35mm) or 12 (120 format) frames, and I typically shoot 2–3 rolls per session. Delivered as scanned film files — no further digital editing applied beyond the scan.
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