WHAT IS A ROLLEIFLEX
MEDIUM FORMAT FILM CAMERA

Philip Casey Photography

The Rolleiflex is a medium format twin-lens reflex camera, a beautifully engineered tool with two lenses stacked vertically on the front. The top lens is for viewing and focusing—through a waist-level finder—while the bottom lens exposes the film. When you look down into the ground-glass screen, the world appears flipped left to right, creating a slightly disorienting, almost magical experience. Framing a shot becomes a slower, more intentional process, inviting you to be fully present in the moment you’re capturing.

It uses medium format, 120 roll film to produce 6x6 cm square negatives, which are nearly three times the size of a standard 35mm frame. That extra real estate translates to more depth and a beautifully soft rendering of light—especially in outdoor, natural settings. The shallow depth of field, grain texture, and organic color palette all contribute to a look that’s unmistakably film: rich, dreamy, and emotional.

What’s even more remarkable is that the Rolleiflex is fully mechanical—it doesn’t use batteries or electronics of any kind. Every click of the shutter, every advance of the film, is powered by your hands. This analog simplicity adds to the magic: it’s photography at its purest, where each of the 12 frames per roll feels intentional and thoughtfully made. The result isn’t just a photograph—it’s a tactile, artistic record of a fleeting moment.

Using a Rolleiflex on your wedding day adds more than just a vintage aesthetic—it brings a different pace. Because it’s manual and slower by nature, it encourages a kind of quiet presence. You’re not being rapid-fired by a shutter; you’re being seen, composed, and captured with care. There’s a certain reverence to it, and you feel it in the moment—just as much as you see it in the final images. In the midst of a fast, modern world, this little box of glass and metal lets us pause, breathe, and create something truly timeless.

How I Use It on a Wedding Day

Philip Casey Photography

When you add Rolleiflex coverage to your wedding package, I mix film in intentionally throughout the day—where it makes the most impact. That usually means:

Intimate portraits or headshots
Quiet, outdoor moments like vows or a first look
Small, in-between candid moments

I don’t use it for everything. It’s not suited for fast-paced dancing or dimly-lit indoor spaces. But when the light is beautiful and the emotion is real, that’s when I reach for it. Those film frames become quiet highlights threaded into your gallery—adding warmth, texture, and a vintage heartbeat to the story.

ROLLEIFLEX PHOTOGRAPHY

Available as an upgrade

Film photography is a traditional process where each image is captured on a roll of physical film rather than a digital sensor, resulting in rich tones and a timeless quality. Its subtle imperfections—such as unique grain and slightly unpredictable colors—add character and charm, making every image feel alive and authentic.

When you add Rolleiflex coverage to your wedding package, we seamlessly blend its timeless film images with your digital photos to create a beautifully cohesive gallery. The Rolleiflex is thoughtfully used throughout the day, chosen carefully for moments where its unique charm truly shines—soft, natural lighting, romantic settings, and meaningful, intimate scenes. Whether it’s capturing the tender exchange of vows, golden hour portraits, or candid moments, the Rolleiflex elevates these memories with its iconic vintage aesthetic. This curated approach ensures that every film image feels intentional and adds a distinct layer of artistry to your wedding story.

After your wedding, we carefully develop the film in a professional lab and scan the negatives into high-resolution digital files. This process allows us to preserve the classic beauty of film while seamlessly integrating it into your gallery, giving you the best of both worlds—stunning, handcrafted images with the convenience of digital delivery.