Why I am Reverting to Analog for my Professional Work.

Okay,

let's just start by saying it is not easy let me tell you. But I do find it necessary. To me, to my art, to my clients. Mostly me though.
It is, however, a decision I feel I should have taken long ago, as it had been pretty much clear to me from the get go that digital was not for me. Or I was not for it. Whatever.

Now, how do you convince a client? How do you even approach such issue? Well, you don't.

I have tried, don't get me wrong. I have been so passionate about using film for this or that specific session. I would prepare a speech, more of a pitch actually, where I'd lay down my motivations, the reasoning behind such dramatic turn of events.
But, pretty much every time I'd get a response that yes varies, but never really fulfils my expectations. People would start staring at me just like 'What is he talking about?' Or they would say 'Yes, film! Do they still make it?' Sometimes they just laugh their asses off, other times they'll tell me I'd be expecting a call soon. You might figure out the outcome on this one.

Nikon F4s / Ilford Pan 400

So one day, not even sure why, I was folding my bag and just put my Nikon F4s (which let's face it, does resemble a digital body. I might add that it's a digital body that resembles the F4s...) and a couple of rolls. And mid-session I just switched from digital to analog when the model was changing clothes. I would enter the dressing room (yes, I did knock first) and I'd just start shooting.
The intimacy of that tiny little place, the hugeness of that mirror, the easiness of the moment I am photographing, the client/model being so natural and relaxed. All of this worked perfectly. So well in fact that I started making this moment the highlight of any following session.

Nikon F4s / Ilford Pan 400

The photos I am uploading here belong to one of my last hybrid sessions, i.e. digital work in the studio, and analog anywhere else. Meaning: in the changing room, and outdoors.
I had talked extensively to Tata, my client/model that contacted me in need of a professional book. She seemed enthusiastic to also be photographed in analog, and she was aware of it the moment I snapped at her. But I absolutely loved her attitude, so positive and relaxed I almost did not let her go back to the studio, as wanted to keep on going shooting her on this gorgeous Nikon/Ilford combination.

Nikon F4s / Ilford Pan 400

As it turns out, my clients always end up favouring the analog shots to the digital ones. This was a confirmation I was on the right track; although I had already decided to go back to analog for my professional work, too (and not just for my personal projects,) this was the icing on the cake.

Nikon F4s / Ilford Pan 400

I'll be posting more about this session. As the following day we met up again, this time to shoot outdoors.
This time, to shoot analog only.
This time, to shoot 35mm and 120mm.
This time, so much fun.

Specs:
Client/model: Tata Bonilla

Camera Nikon F4s
Lens: Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 AF-D
Film: Ilford Pan 400
Self-developed with Agfa Rodinal 1:50