Whilst it can be difficult to predict forthcoming trends for the year ahead, what’s obvious is that the growth of film photography isn’t slowing down, and this makes it incredibly exciting when we think about film stocks, services and new communities.
2026 is set to be another exciting year for film, and with our own industry insights and projections, we’ve put together the top film photography trends to watch in 2026.
Top Film Photography Trends For 2026
New Film Stocks
Last year we saw the most new colour film stock releases to the market than we have in over 25 years.
Harman (Ilford) have made a big manufacturing investment for growth in the next 25/30 years of the business, with plans to double 35mm capacity, along with coming up with new films. This has already been evident with their releases of Harman Red, Phoenix I and II and even in the black and white market with Kentmere Pan 200.
This seems to have set a precedence for the reemergence of film manufacturing and we expect to see even more colour, and perhaps more experimental film stocks to try in 2026.
An incredibly exciting prospect for the future of film!
The Rise of Everyday Film
The adoption of film is continuing to grow with both past users of film, and those that never grew up with film in their time.
Whilst digital has crowded the landscape for a long time due to its ease, and of course, cost benefits, we think that the rise of everyday film usage is going to continue rising.
It’s become less about just using film for photo shoots, and more than ever about capturing those everyday moments, using film as a way to disconnect with algorithm driven content and more about delayed gratification that feels good.
Film is as much a hobby as it is as a way to slow down and enjoy every moment without having to keep reaching for your phone to snap a photo.
There are some affordable film stocks on the market that were ranked at the top of our 35mm film sales in 2025 which shows the demand for accessible, affordable shooting.
Wedding Photography Returning To Film
There’s a noticeable shift happening in the wedding world, with more photographers quietly returning to film for at least part of the day.
After years of ultra-sharp digital coverage, many couples are craving something softer, more emotive and less “perfect.” Film delivers that depth effortlessly, gentle highlights, natural skin tones and grain that feels intentional rather than added in post.
Medium format in particular is seeing renewed love, especially with stocks like Portra 400 for its balanced tones and forgiving latitude.
Photographers are often blending film and digital, using film for couple portraits, detail shots and key emotional moments, then digital for fast-paced parts of the day. It’s less about replacing digital and more about elevating the final gallery.
Black and White Revival
There’s something quietly perfect about black and white photography, and it brings an added stillness and edge to it than colour film.
One of the best benefits of using B&W film is that they are some of the cheapest film stocks on the market, starting from as little as £5.
Black and white film is seeing a genuine revival beyond weddings, particularly among street, documentary and portrait photographers who want to simplify their visual language.
In an era of saturated feeds and hyper-processed colour, monochrome feels grounding and intentional. It removes distraction and forces a stronger focus on light, shadow, texture and form. Whether it’s harsh midday sun casting graphic shapes or soft window light wrapping around a face, black and white encourages photographers to think more deliberately about contrast and composition.
Stocks like Ilford HP5 Plus are gaining fresh momentum because of their flexibility and character. HP5 can be shot at box speed for classic tonality or pushed for grit and punch, making it ideal for everything from urban street scenes to moody portraits.
Compact Cameras/TikTok Effect
Compact cameras are having another big moment, fuelled largely by TikTok and the continued obsession with early-2000s aesthetics.
Small point-and-shoots with built-in flash are being picked up not for technical perfection, but for the exact opposite. Direct flash, slight motion blur, soft focus and the occasional light leak all add to that carefree, spontaneous look people associate with Y2K party photos and disposable camera nostalgia. The appeal is simple, they’re easy to carry, quick to use and remove the pressure to “get it perfect.”
In 2026, this trend is less about gear specs and more about vibe. Photographers and casual shooters alike are embracing compact 35mm cameras as everyday companions, nights out, holidays, gigs, coffee runs.
The hard flash look, especially when paired with tungsten-balanced stocks, creates bold contrast and punchy colour that feels raw and unfiltered. The Kodak M38 reusable film camera is a great starting point!
Film as a Rebellion Against AI Imagery
As AI-generated imagery becomes more polished and more prevalent, film photography feels increasingly significant.
In a landscape where visuals can be created instantly and endlessly refined, film offers something finite and tangible.
In 2026, that authenticity is becoming part of film’s appeal, the nuances that you can’t get with AI generated imagery.
Grain, slight misfocus, unpredictable light leaks or subtle colour shifts aren’t flaws to be corrected. As synthetic imagery becomes harder to distinguish from reality, film stands apart because it is reality.
It carries texture, chance and human intention in every frame, and that’s precisely what makes it powerful in an increasingly artificial visual world. Let’s not forget from a personal perspective, the tactile elements and delayed gratification that comes with waiting for those scans to come back too.
Growing Film Communities
It goes without saying that as film use expands, so do the communities. Last year we hosted another couple of film photowalks and there really is something special about bringing the film community together.
Whether it’s with more photowalks, Facebook groups asking for tips and help on techniques or a new forum for filmies, there is so much to come for the community and it’s really exciting to be part of this growing shift with film users.
If there’s anything you’d love to see from us this year and how we’re serving the community, we’re always open to suggestions and new ideas!
Let us know in the comments below what you think of our 2026 film predictions, and what you would love to see from the year ahead.
One Response
Great article. Interest in film and ‘old’ cameras is growing in a similar way to vinyl. Maybe it’s a brief escape from the fast pace of everyday life.