Vivian Killin Photography

Colorado Couples & Family Photography

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My film journey up until now

Film, Personal January 15, 2019

I love the look of film—most of my favorite photographers shoot medium format film. There’s a soft, romantic, and timeless look that is tricky to emulate exactly with digital. The way film captures light is different than the way a DSLR captures light, so even in direct sun, photographs shot with film turn out beautiful and not too harsh.

That’s why I try to emulate the look of film—there are so many styles out there right now (dark and moody, very light and airy, contrasty, etc.) that are incredible and beautiful but I think when we look back in 5 years, those photos will be very dated (think back to the days of Picnik and the original Instagram filters). Film, however, has been the same for a long time.

My mom shot film—she saved her money and got a 35mm camera in or after college. When I was preparing to choose electives for high school, I wanted to take photography. So in high school, when it came around for me to get a camera, I wanted to use my mom’s, but there was light leak. She took me to 5+ stores in the OKC area one afternoon after school to get me a 35mm film camera. That’s a good, dedicated mom. I took three b&w film classes in high school, where I learned to shoot film and develop in the dark room. I still have my stained notes.

After I took those classes, I would still shoot with cheap film that I sent to Walgreens to get developed. The pictures looked awful, and I actually thought I had light leak for a while. The camera sat at home in Oklahoma for years, and I even tried to sell it on Stanford’s sell/buy network. No one inquired for months, until finally someone did, but the camera was still in Oklahoma. I’m so glad it was there because in the past couple of years I ended up wanting to get back into film, specifically color film. I had done my research and found out which film stocks were the best for modern photography (fuji400h and portra400).

Since I don’t use a lightmeter, I overexpose and rate my film at a different ISO. This makes everything pretty inaccurate though… so I kind of want to invest in a lightmeter. BUT ALSO, I don’t want to yet because I just bought a new camera and now I spend lots of my money on my dog. I get basic scans from The Find Lab — I wonder if I should get premium scans or switch film labs (to Photovision or Richard maybe? but I think they’re more expensive). I’m going to practice more with my digital before really investing in film—film is expensive.

I love how my double exposures are turning out! Everything else though is really hit or miss. I’m still underexposing for sure, but I think I’m marginally getting better!

Mid-late 2017

Early-mid 2018

Mid-late 2018

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This post exists because I couldn’t post horizon This post exists because I couldn’t post horizontal photos in the previous one 😂

Red rocks park is amazing! We bring our visiting friends here. It’s grand, close, and there are tons of parking spots 💯
I had a blast with these two at Red Rocks last wee I had a blast with these two at Red Rocks last weekend! We went on a couple trails and I didn’t slip on ice this time like the previous weekend 🙌!!! They brought their dog along and he was very interested in all the people and things.

Swipe for dog, red rocks, and more of this super photogenic couple lol 🐾
Whoops 8th post on Instagram today, but I had to d Whoops 8th post on Instagram today, but I had to do a horizontal layout for this one!! That’s enough posts for the rest of the year 😅. My season is finished!

Swipe for one of the final moments of the BEST dance party ever (my phone still autocorrects dance to ┌( ಠ_ಠ)┘ every since I made that shortcut over 10 years ago 😂)! Cant recommend @djcinnaminh enough—I didn’t know how much I needed an acoustic version of so many songs till this wedding. Plus playing beautiful soul by Jesse McCartney during a reception is 💯

Congratulations again Karen and Nathan!!! Thank you for sharing your love with the rest of us 💕💗 SO HAPPY FOR YOU it was honestly hard to contain myself the day of 

Venue - @fortinowinery 
Day-of coordination - @mckelpinj 
DJ - @djcinnaminh 
Florals - @expressionsfloraldesigns 
Bakery - @frostcupcakefactory 
Makeup & Hair - @joycezhoudesigns 
Dress - @lace_and_liberty 
Suit - @theblacktux
Officiant - Cindi Fong of Redeemer SF
Photographer - @viviankillin
Big congrats to these two!!! I was honored to atte Big congrats to these two!!! I was honored to attend and photograph Karen and Nathan’s wedding at Fortino Winery.

It was a beautiful day ☀️thanks Bay Area! Plus these two are STUNNING inside and out. I can’t think of more selfless, loving individuals, and for them to now be married to each other!?! The world is literally better because of these two. I’m so glad to have met them in college and to have learned from both of them. 

Venue - @fortinowinery 
Day-of coordination - @mckelpinj 
DJ - @djcinnaminh 
Florals - @expressionsfloraldesigns 
Bakery - @frostcupcakefactory 
Makeup & Hair - @joycezhoudesigns 
Dress - @lace_and_liberty 
Suit - @theblacktux
Officiant - Cindi Fong of Redeemer SF
Photographer - @viviankillin
Seeing your friends become parents is such a joy 🥰 congrats to these two! They introduced their new baby to a beautiful spot they’ve biked by 🚴🏻‍♀️. Swipe for more beauty! And water!

Once again forever thankful for my previous company for introducing me to great people!
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