Film photography, made easy
How to Shoot Film
Bright, beautiful film photos in any light, without the guesswork (or the wasted rolls).
A simple, step-by-step course for beginners from Suzy Brown. So you can enjoy the absolute magic of shooting film.
Sound familiar?
You're drawn to film photography. But something keeps holding you back.
Maybe it's the fear of wasting film. The confusion around exposure and settings. The worry about not getting it right.
Or maybe it's just modern life, and how hard it is to make room for anything slow and creative.
How to Shoot Film was made for you. A simple, heartfelt course to help you shoot film with confidence (and actually enjoy it).
This course is for you if...
You're craving a meaningful hobby that gives you joy and a release from a high-stress job (tech, medicine, engineering, stay-at-home parent).
You're a digital photographer who wants to fall back in love with photography. Or start shooting film for your clients.
You want to dust off the film camera you bought years ago and finally use it.
You want to learn the how, and you also care about how it feels to create.
You're ready to shoot for joy.
You'll walk away with...
A real understanding of how film works, without the overwhelm.
Bright film images, consistently.
Photos you're proud of (and surprised by).
A ritual that helps you slow down and see the world differently.
Creative confidence that flows into other parts of your life.
Why film?
Everyone loves film for the look. What I love most is how it helps you slow down.
Shooting film invites you to notice. To be in the moment instead of capturing it on autopilot.
This course is about shooting with intention, and remembering why you fell in love with photography in the first place.
Bright, beautiful film in any light
Harsh sun. Dark living rooms. Lamps and mixed window light. The light students ask me about most, and the light you'll learn to meter for.
All shot on film by Suzy
What's inside
The lessons
Beginner-friendly video lessons that explain everything clearly, plus shoot-along videos where you watch me meter and set my camera in real light.
8 video lessons
- Shutter speed, aperture and ISO
- How to find and set your exposure
- All about film stocks
- The basics of shadows and light on film
- How to get sharp, in-focus pictures
- Developing and scanning
- All about the Canon AE-1
- Film scanning 101: how scanning works, and how to talk to your lab so you get the best scans of your work
3 shoot-along walkthroughs
- Using your light meter inside, with Suzy
- Using your light meter outside, with Suzy
- Using your camera's auto mode with intention
What makes it different
Most film courses assume you already know the basics.
Or they throw too much at you, too fast. Or they skip the why, and you're left following settings without knowing how to see.
Yes, you'll learn exposure, light, metering and scanning. You'll also learn how to slow down, see differently, and make images that feel like you.
And it answers the questions other courses skip:
How do you scan your own film?
Which labs are best?
What do you do when your photos come out wrong?
What camera should you actually start with?
Plus clear video tutorials showing exactly how to use a light meter in all kinds of light. So you get bright, beautiful film photos every time you shoot.
Hi, I'm Suzy
I fell back in love with photography the moment I picked up a film camera again.
I'm a family photographer in Chicago, an educator, and a mom of three. I've photographed families for 18 years, and I shoot on 35mm, medium format and Super 8.
I made this course to help you slow down, reconnect with your creative voice, and finally understand film (without the overwhelm).
Whether you're a hobbyist, a burnt-out digital pro, or someone craving more presence while you document your life, I'm so glad you're here.
Are you a family photographer? See my education for family photographers.
Questions
Do I need any experience?
Nope! This course was made for beginners. If you've never loaded a roll of film, you're in the right place. And if you already shoot digital, it'll help you see your work in a whole new way.
What camera do I need?
The Canon AE-1 is the camera I recommend most, and there's a full lesson on exactly how to use it. But you can use this course with any 35mm or medium format camera.
Will I learn how to use a light meter?
Yes! You'll watch me meter inside and outside in two shoot-along videos, so you know how to set your exposure in all kinds of light. There's also a video on using your camera's auto mode with intention.
Does it cover developing and scanning?
Yes. There's a lesson on developing and scanning, and another on how scanning works and how to talk to your lab, so you get the best scans of your work.
Can I use this to start shooting film for clients?
Yes. If you're a digital photographer who wants to bring film into client sessions, this gives you the foundation: exposure, light, film stocks and working with a lab.
Is it live or self-paced?
It's self-paced. Watch the video lessons whenever it works for you, and come back to them as you shoot.
How long do I have access?
Forever! You get lifetime access to every lesson, so you can come back to them every time you load a new roll.
What if it's not for me?
I want you to feel good about this. Go through the course, and if it's not for you, email me within 30 days for a full refund.
How is this different from the Family Posing Playbook?
How to Shoot Film teaches the technical and creative side of shooting film. The Family Posing Playbook teaches family photographers how to lead real sessions and pose families with connection. Lots of photographers take both!
How do I get in after I buy?
You get instant access right after you sign up, with a login link sent to your email.
