As 2013 closed, I sat around the fire with other creatives and photographers at a small workshop and we listed our huge business goals for the coming year. When it became my turn, I blurted out loud that I would learn how to photograph on film- before I could even catch myself.

I didn’t even own a film camera when I said it.

In the next few weeks, I did my research, asked for advice, and ordered my medium format film camera. I admired it greatly when it arrived, but I admit that it then sat on the shelf for months before I finally got the courage to try it out.

Lesson learned. There are cheaper skills to learn than film photography these days.

But I loved how I felt behind that camera. I loved the clunk of the shutter, and the way it made me slow down and really think before taking each picture. I saw the painterly quality of film photography of admired artists, and knew that digital was unable to replicate exactly what film was capable of. I knew that the more I practiced, the better I would be behind any camera, film or digital.

I still only offer digital photography for all my commissioned portrait work, and shoot film for my personal work. I occasionally bring along some film to different sessions, but the communication is clear that I am still learning, and it is only after I have completed the images expected with my digital camera. My portrait clients are most usually as excited as I am when I bring out the Hasselblad to photograph a few additional personal images, with the same hopeful anticipation of seeing what was created in the weeks to come.

I have tried several different print labs over the past year, everyone suggesting different ones to try. I have by far had the best experience with Richard Photo Lab. I admit that I procrastinated on trying them out due to a bit higher pricing, even though I knew they were reputable as one of the very best labs to use. Still practicing, I first used labs that were a few dollars cheaper a roll. In the planning of The Fount Collective workshop, Richard Photo Lab was so generous in their sponsorship, that I was inspired to send my next batch of film to them and splurge on the extra investment. I was truly not disappointed. The service was so fast, and I received my film scans back in less than a week. I admit that I was tempted to write a fake name on my order form because I was so nervous that the film would come out terrible, ( and I still have a lot of practice to do before offering film photography in my commissioned work), but I felt as though I got the same customer service and attention as a highly admired film photographer would- and that is really important to me.

A couple weeks ago I flew to San Diego, and during my stay I planned a sunrise maternity session on the Sunset Cliffs. It is a bit touristy of a location to choose- but being a first time tourist to the area, I just was dying to photograph there. I will be sharing more of these images and the full details of this maternity session next week!

But for now, here is a sneak peak at a straight from the lab image photographed with film.(Fuji400h)  I am thrilled to have many images that were taken on the Hasselblad during this shoot come out beautifully to complete the collection.

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To learn more about booking your Maine Maternity Portrait Session or the popular Motherhood Collective, contact Tiffany via the Connect link in the menu, or email directly at TIFFANY@TIFFANYFARLEY.COM

Tiffany is local to the Portland, Maine area and is currently booking well into 2015.

Tiffany Farley frequently travels for maternity, newborn, and family portrait sessions and has clients from Bar Harbor to San Francisco.  To find out details regarding her upcoming travel dates to a city near you including Southern Connecticut,  Harrisburg, Copenhagen Denmark, Iceland- or to book a custom travel session, please contact for more information.