Why I Capture Scottish Elopements on 35mm & Medium Format Film: A Storytelling Approach with Leica, Pentax 6x7 & Hasselblad
Eloping in Scotland on Film: Why I Use Analog Cameras to Tell Your Story
Let’s Talk Gear: What I Use to Photograph Elopements on 35mm & Medium Format Film in Scotland
If you’re a fellow lover of analog photography, this blog post is for you. I’m diving into the film gear and stocks I use to capture intimate, windswept elopements across the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland—on both 35mm and medium format film. Whether you’re an eloping couple who appreciates the magic of vintage cameras, a film hobbyist, or a fellow photographer curious about shooting weddings the old-school way, I think you’ll enjoy this little peek into my toolkit and film photography work.
I’ve also included some example shots to show how these film stocks come to life in real Scottish light. Let’s get into it!
There’s something magical about the way the misty mountains of the Scottish Highlands breathe in silence, the way wind curls around your vows, the way a single second of your elopement ceremony can stretch into forever. Capturing that kind of raw, emotional beauty — the type of moment that doesn’t need staging — is why I became an elopement photographer in Scotland. More specifically, it’s why I shoot on film.
But before we dive into my cameras and favourite film stocks, let me tell you a bit about myself, and how I came to fall in love with photographing elopements on 35mm and medium format film.
Before sunset in Glen Coe taken on Ilford HP5 with Leica M2
Hi, I’m Weirdie Grizzly — a Film-Lover, Storyteller, Intimate Wedding & Elopement Photographer in Scotland
I'm not just someone who photographs adventure weddings - elopements in Scotland; I'm someone who believes your love deserves to be witnessed in all its wild, unscripted glory.
With a background in storytelling, travel, and the kind of soulful connection that only comes when you're deep in the wilderness, I approach each elopement with curiosity, care, and a camera loaded with real film. No filters, no trendy presets — just light, emotion, and grain that breathes.
Whether you're hiking to the top of a cliff on Skye, running barefoot at a beach on the West Coast of Scotland, wandering across pine forests in the Cairngorms, or exchanging vows beside a loch, my job is to tell your story in a way that feels lived-in, timeless, and honestly you.
And for that, I use 35mm and medium format film, in both Colour and Black and White.
Why Film Photography for Elopements?
In a world flooded with perfectly polished digital images, film remains a distinct medium. It’s imperfect, alive, soulful — just like your relationship. Here’s why I choose to shoot film for elopements:
1. Intentionality
Film forces me to slow down. Every frame is a choice — no spray and pray, no endless clicking. That means I’m fully present with you, seeking real emotion, movement, and story.
2. Timeless Aesthetic
Film renders colour and light in a way that digital just can’t replicate. From warm, golden skin tones to moody, grainy skies — it’s cinematic, classic, and evokes nostalgia without needing a filter.
3. Authenticity
There’s no retouching who you are on film. What’s captured is real: the wind in your hair, the crinkle in your smile, the hug that lingered a second too long. It’s raw, human, and heartbreakingly beautiful.
The Film Cameras I Use to Capture Your Elopement in Scotland
The 35mm Cameras I Trust With Your Elopement Memories
When it comes to storytelling, I shoot with a blend of manual precision and fast-paced responsiveness. That's why I carry these workhorses in my kit:
The Legendary Leica M2 (35mm film)
Two Leica M2 Cameras with Classic Lenses – My Go-To 35mm Film Tools for Timeless Elopement Photography
One of my favourite cameras for capturing elopements in Scotland is the Leica M2 — My Leicas are the soul of my storytelling. Completely manual rangefinder from the 1960s, the Leica M2 camera forces me to slow down and see differently. Its quiet shutter and compact build let me document intimate moments without intrusion. There's no autofocus — just pure mechanical feedback and trust in instinct. Paired with beautiful Scottish light and black-and-white film, the Leica M2 helps me create honest, emotional images that feel as nostalgic as your love story deserves. I use them to capture the quiet intimate moments: a glance, a long kiss.
Peaceful Getting Ready Moment Captured with Leica M2 camera on Ilford FP4 Plus 35mm Black & White Film
The fast ones: Canon EOS-1V & EOS-1N (35mm film)
Eos 1N - Canon’s one of the latests flagship SLR cameras
My workhorse cameras for elopements in Scotland are the Canon EOS-1V and EOS-1N. These two are the dependable modern beasts in my bag. The EOS-1V is Canon's last and most refined 35mm SLR, built like a tank and responsive like a dream. Its autofocus allows me to shoot fast, perfect for catching windblown kisses, surprise laughs, or spontaneous movement on the trail.
The EOS-1N is its slightly older sibling, just as dependable and soulful, with a beautiful way of interpreting contrast and light.
Their weather-sealed bodies are perfect for the unpredictable elements of the Scottish Highlands. Paired with Portra 400, they produce vibrant, cinematic images that convey emotion. These cameras are my go-to tools for movement, spontaneity, and authentic storytelling on film.
That “Just Eloped in Scotland” Feeling captured with a Canon 1N on Portra 160 35mm film
The Medium Format Cameras That Bring the Drama
If 35mm is for rhythm and pace, medium format is for poetry and pause. These cameras deliver high-resolution frames with massive negative sizes, meaning incredible detail and dynamic range.
Pentax 6x7 & 67 with Stunning Lenses – My Powerful Medium Format Film Cameras for Crafting Elopement Art
The real workhorse: the Pentax 6x7
One of my most trusted medium format film cameras for elopement photography in Scotland is the Pentax 6x7 (and its successor, the 67). It's a beast — large, heavy, powerful, and unmistakable. When the shutter fires, it sounds like a shotgun, and the results are just as impactful. Paired with the iconic 105mm f/2.4 lens, it produces stunningly shallow depth of field and creamy bokeh that turns your portraits into soft, painterly masterpieces.
I rely on this camera for those quiet, cinematic moments — when the mountains are bathed in golden light, when the fog shrouds the Scottish Highlands, or when you're holding each other close in that peaceful post-ceremony haze. The Pentax 6x7 handles Scotland's natural light beautifully, capturing emotion with depth and softness.
As a Scottish Elopement Film Photographer, this medium format setup helps me create timeless film photographs that feel as authentic and unforgettable as your love story.
Moody winter light on film, Pentax 6x7 + T-Max 400
The Classy: Hasselblad 500C/M
Hasselblad 500 C/M viewfinder is a beautiful tool to compose your photos
One of my favourite medium format cameras for capturing elopements in Scotland is the Hasselblad 500C/M — a legendary camera that shoots in a classic 6x6 square format, the same used by astronauts on the Moon. It's slow, fully mechanical - no battery needed, intentional, and iconic, making it perfect for preserving the quieter, more intimate moments of your day.
I reach for the Hasselblad when I want to frame the small, emotional details: the texture of lace, a gentle hand on your partner's face, or the breathtaking landscape. Its unique format and mechanical precision create images that feel balanced, meditative, and deeply honest.
Whether you're eloping in Glencoe or beside a loch on the Isle of Skye, this camera allows me to tell your story with calm clarity and timeless beauty. As an elopement film photographer in Scotland, the Hasselblad 500C/M is one of my most trusted tools for creating soulful, enduring images on medium format film.
My Go-To Film Stocks for Scottish Elopements
Film is my artistic palette, and each film stock is like a unique brushstroke — bringing its own emotion, color profile, and tonal character to your elopement story. Just like Scotland’s landscapes shift with the light and seasons, I carefully choose the right film based on the natural light, location, time of year, and most importantly, the vibe and energy you bring as a couple. Whether we’re chasing golden-hour glow in Glencoe or embracing moody skies on the Isle of Skye, the film I use is intentionally selected to reflect the heart of your day.
Kodak Portra 160, 400 and 800 for the best skin tones
When it comes to capturing the wild beauty of Scotland and the raw emotion of your elopement, Kodak Portra 160, 400, and 800 are my go-to color film stocks. Each one brings something unique to the table, allowing me to adapt to the ever-changing light and landscape, whether I’m shooting with 35mm or 120 medium format film.
Why I Love Shooting Kodak Portra for Elopements in Scotland
When it comes to capturing the emotion, light, and earthy soul of an adventurous elopement in Scotland, Kodak Portra is my go-to color film stock — whether I’m loading it into my Leica M2 or my Pentax 6x7.
The Portra family has become a staple in the world of analog wedding and elopement photography for a reason. Its versatility, dreamy tones, and ability to handle natural light in all kinds of weather make it a perfect match for wild-hearted couples eloping in the dramatic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, Isle of Skye, or Glencoe.
Kodak Portra 160
Perfect for bright, open light or softer midday conditions, Portra 160 delivers incredible skin tones, fine grain, and muted pastel colors. I love using it for calm, sunny mornings or when your ceremony is against a backdrop of Scottish greens and soft autumn colors.
Lucy and Alex’s down-to-earth elopement on Portra 160 taken with Canon EOS 1V
Kodak Portra 400
The most versatile of the three - Portra 400 is my everyday favourite for elopements. It handles changing weather, overcast skies, and golden-hour light with ease. In both 35mm and 120 format, it produces warm, natural tones and beautiful contrast, perfect for portraits, landscapes, and everything in between.
Husband & Wife’s kiss on medium format Portra 400 film, taken with Pentax 6×7
Kodak Portra 800
When the light fades — in the misty forests, moody glens, or at twilight — Portra 800 shines. It’s ideal for low-light scenes without flash, offering rich tones and a dreamy grain that suits Scotland’s ethereal evening atmosphere.
Together, the Portra film stocks help me craft timeless, honest, and emotionally rich images that feel as natural as the moment itself.
Haley & Andre’s Glen Coe elopement on Portra 800, taken with Canon EOS 1n
Why I Love Shooting Scottish Elopements on Black & White Film
There's something undeniably timeless about black and white photography — the way it strips back the noise, focuses on emotion, and turns fleeting moments into quiet, cinematic memories. When it comes to capturing that mood for Scottish elopements, a few of my favorite black-and-white film stocks are Fomapan 100 Classic, Ilford FP4 Plus, Ilford HP5 Plus and Kodak Tri-X 400 along with Tmax 400.
Fomapan 100 Classic for the old-school classic look
One of my absolute favorite black and white film stocks for elopement photography in Scotland is Fomapan 100 Classic, shot on 120 medium format roll film. It's a beautifully timeless film that brings a quiet, nostalgic elegance to every frame, perfect for capturing the emotional depth of your elopement in the wild Scottish landscape.
Fomapan 100 is known for its fine grain, excellent contrast, and delicate tonality. Ideal for bright skies, summer time, and intimate moments that unfold slowly and authentically. Whether we're standing in a fog-draped glen or exchanging vows in a quiet Highland forest, Fomapan 100 lets the scene breathe with a softness that feels honest and emotional.
I love using this film to document small gestures: the brush of a hand, the quiet stillness after your vows, the wind weaving through your hair. It captures texture — lace, stone, mist — in a way that feels deeply human and artistic.
If you're drawn to the classic, emotional beauty of black and white photography, Fomapan 100 on medium format offers a timeless way to tell your elopement story — full of atmosphere, texture, and soul.
When it comes to capturing the moody, timeless essence of elopements in Scotland, two of my favorite black & white film stocks from Ilford are Ilford FP4 Plus and Ilford HP5 Plus. Whether I’m shooting in 35mm or 120 medium format, these classic films bring a unique emotional depth and texture to every frame — perfect for documenting the raw, real moments of your elopement in the Highlands, on the Isle of Skye, or along the rugged Scottish coast.
Ilford FP4 Plus – Timeless Elegance in Every Frame
Ilford FP4 Plus is a slow-speed, fine-grain black & white film that shines in good light. Rated at ISO 125, it delivers exceptional sharpness, soft contrast, and beautifully balanced tones. I love using FP4 when we're blessed with bright skies or soft, diffused daylight — think loch-side ceremonies, early morning walks, or golden-lit ruins.
FP4's classic rendering makes it ideal for capturing detailed textures — lace, stone, fabric, and wind-blown hair — with a romantic, almost archival quality. Whether in 35mm or 120 format, it produces images that feel calm, deliberate, and quietly powerful.
K. & L.'s Isle of Skye elopement on medium format Ilford FP4 Plus and taken with Pentax 6×7
Ilford HP5 Plus – Classic, Gritty, and Full of Soul
On the other hand, Ilford HP5 Plus is my go-to black & white film when things get moody, fast-paced, or low-light. Rated at ISO 400, but easily pushed for extra contrast and grit, HP5 Plus is flexible, forgiving, and packed with character.
HP5 is the film I load when the clouds roll in, the wind picks up, or the light fades — during cliffside ceremonies under brooding skies, candlelit vow readings, or wild hikes through misty glens. HP5 has a beautiful grain structure and a bold look that evokes a deeply emotional and raw feel. It embraces imperfection, and story.
In 120 format, it offers rich tones and dramatic depth. In 35mm, it brings energy and intimacy, ideal for documenting spontaneous moments and fast-changing scenes.
Why I Use Ilford FP4 & HP5 for Scottish Elopements
Scotland's ever-changing light and natural drama make black and white film the perfect medium for telling your love story. FP4 Plus gives me elegance and detail, while HP5 Plus gives me mood and beautiful grains. Between the two, I can adapt to whatever the weather, landscape, or emotion brings — always aiming to create images that feel honest, timeless, and real.
Nikki & Eric's getting ready moment on Ilford HP5 B&W film
Why I Use Tri-X and T-Max for Scottish Elopements
Scotland is full of contrast — in light, weather, and emotion. These two Kodak black & white films let me match that contrast with intention:
Tri-X 400 for grit, texture, and emotional punch
T-Max 400 for clarity, light, and soft refinement
Both let me shoot with purpose and honesty, creating frames that are as timeless as your vows and as soulful as the Scottish landscape.
Kodak Tri-X 400 – Gritty, Romantic, and Full of Caracter
Kodak Tri-X 400 is a true legend in black and white photography. It's known for its distinctive grain, high contrast, and classic film look — bold, expressive, and emotional. In the moody Scottish Highlands or misty Isle of Skye, this film delivers photographs that feel cinematic and raw.
Tri-X thrives in unpredictable weather and varying light, making it perfect for wild, windswept ceremonies or spontaneous elopement adventures through fog and rain. I often reach for it when I want a more dramatic, textured image, especially in 35mm, where the grain adds atmosphere and soul. In 120 format, it balances grit with rich tonal range and depth.
Whether it's a windswept kiss, a quiet glance, or a hike through ancient glens, Tri-X 400 transforms fleeting moments into timeless, black-and-white memories.
Erica & Brendan`s Glen Coe elopement on medium format Kodak Tri-X 400, taken with Pentax 6×7
Isle of Skye winter elopement on medium format Tmax 400 @800, taken with Pentax 6×7
Kodak T-Max 400 – Crisp, Modern, and Incredibly Sharp
If Tri-X is classic and grainy, Kodak T-Max 400 is its sleek, modern sibling. With fine grain, exceptional sharpness, and a wide dynamic range, T-Max 400 delivers clean, elegant black-and-white images with a more polished feel. I love using T-Max when I want maximum detail and clarity, especially in medium format with my Pentax 6x7 or Hasselblad 500C/M.
T-Max performs beautifully in low light, making it ideal for golden-hour portraits, indoor elopements, or ceremonies in shaded woodland settings. Its flexibility lets me shoot in various lighting conditions without losing contrast or detail.
This film is ideal for couples who appreciate the timeless quality of black and white but desire a cleaner, more refined aesthetic.
Timeless groom’s portrait on medium format Tmax 400, taken with Pentax 6×7
Why I’ll Be Here With Film in Hand — For Your Scotland Elopement in 2026
Shooting elopements on film in Scotland isn’t just a stylistic choice to me — it’s a commitment to slowing down, embracing imperfection, and preserving moments with intention. Whether I’m loading a roll of Kodak Portra into my trusty Pentax 6x7, framing a quiet moment through the viewfinder of my Leica M2, or capturing windswept vows on a Canon SLR with black and white Fomapan or HP5, I’m always chasing one thing: timeless, heartfelt storytelling.
Film gives elopements in the Scottish Highlands, on Skye, or along the rugged coastline a depth that digital just can’t replicate. The soft grain, rich tones, and natural contrast from film stocks like Ilford FP4 or Tri-X carry a sense of nostalgia — one that mirrors the soul of Scotland itself.
If you're a couple dreaming of an elopement that feels meaningful, slow, and deeply personal — one that’s captured on analog film and not just pixels — I’d love to help you bring it to life. Whether you're planning a ceremony on a misty mountaintop or in a quiet glen, I’ll be there with a camera full of film, ready to tell your story the old-school way.
