My First Roll of Film | Returning to the Art of Slowing Down

Picking Film Back Up

Back in high school, I took a photography class where we learned to shoot and develop film—darkroom and all. It was hands-on, creative, and something that lit a spark. But like many, I left it behind as digital cameras became the norm. It was faster, more accessible, and quickly became my focus as I started my photography career.

In recent years though, I’ve found myself missing it—not out of nostalgia, but because there’s something about the way film slows you down. The softness, the tones, the awareness that every frame matters. I started to crave that again.

The Camera That Waited

A few years ago, Dustin gave me the most thoughtful Mother’s Day gift: a Canon EOS 3, which works with my EF lenses, plus a meter, fresh batteries, and a variety of film stock. I had everything I needed to jump back into film photography—and I still didn’t start.

I was intimidated. Between motherhood, sessions, and running a business, learning something all over again felt overwhelming. So the camera sat on my shelf, waiting.

Learning Again

With my rebrand in full swing, I finally felt the pull to revisit film in mid-2024. Watching YouTube videos specific to my camera and taking a few online courses helped me feel a little more comfortable again. Feeling comfortable enough to carry the camera with me, but without putting pressure on myself to “get it right” was my only goal.

I brought it to a few sessions, took the digital version first, then one frame with the film camera. I started in full manual, but quickly found the light meter intimidating, so I switched to AV mode. That small change helped me relax and simply use the camera. Frame by frame, I built a roll.

The First Roll

It took me months to finish that first roll. When I finally had 36 frames, I hit another pause—where do I even send this to be developed? I asked a few photographer friends and eventually dropped it off at Goodman Film Lab in Addison, TX.

Getting the scans back was such a good kind of surprise. Were they perfect? No. But they were honest. And the color—so soft, so warm. That painterly feel I missed was all there, even with an expired roll of Kodak Portra 800.

The Sessions I Photographed on My First Roll of Film

This first roll quietly followed me across multiple sessions this spring:

• A family session at Erwin Park in McKinney, TX
• A bridal session and wedding for Ashley and Justin at Davis & Grey Farms in Celeste, TX
• An engagement session in Fort Worth with Kaitlyn and Tristan
• A bluebonnet family session in Frisco with Chelsie, one of my longtime loyal clients
• A couple’s session with past wedding clients Sarah and Andrew (and their sweet senior dog, Coconut!) at Crowley Park in Richardson—my favorite image from the roll is probably Coconut standing in a wild field
• A few personal frames: a honeysuckle bush, my daughter, and a quiet patch of wildflowers

Some were a little overexposed, others a bit muddy—but that’s part of the process. And honestly, I love that I didn’t try to make them perfect.

How My First Roll of Film Is Changing the Way I See

Even though I’m not offering film sessions to clients (yet), just carrying it alongside my digital gear has shifted how I shoot. I’ve started slowing down, even with digital after shooting my first roll of film. I think more before clicking the shutter. I’m less likely to shoot in bursts and more likely to pause, reframe, and trust my timing.

Film has reminded me of what I love most about photography: observing, not just capturing. It’s helped me let go of overshooting and return to creating with intention.

What’s Next

I’m not rushing into anything—but I am excited to try new stocks (Portra 400 is next on my list) and to keep photographing personal work just for me. Passion projects, quiet moments, beautiful light—anything I might want to frame in our home or print for something tangible.

This is just the beginning. My first roll of film down. A whole creative chapter ahead.

The Details From My First Roll of Film

• Camera: Canon EOS 3
• Lens: Canon 50mm 1.2
• Film Stock: Kodak Portra 800 (expired)
• Film Lab: Goodman Film Lab – Addison, TX