Fawning Over Fujifilm: My Favorite Film Photography Film Stocks Revealed

Enter my first film photo I ever took. Yes, my friend is my very own Dora The Explorer. Shot on Fujifilm 200 in Los Angeles.

I get it. Everyone loves Portra 800. Myself included.

But sometimes I feel like if I see one more photographer declare their undying love for Kodak Portra 800 (and don’t get me wrong, it's beloved for a reason), I’m going to crack and comment, “Yeah, you and everybody else!" Purely because we know that already. (Probably a bit disingenuous of me not to admit that if I shoot your wedding, we may in fact use this glorious and hyped-for-a-reason film stock.)

At nearly $25 a roll, it’s no wonder Kodak Porta 800 looks so good. Portra was once Vogue’s go-to before digital took over. It's iconic. But what else is out there?

Spoiler: my insights won't be new news. And I’m not here to pretend I’ve discovered something new. In fact, I owe my start in film photography to friends.

I like to remind people:

We’re usually newer at the things we’re good at than we let on—and at the same time, far more seasoned than we’ve ever allowed ourselves to admit.

So no, I’m not going to introduce a rare film stock. That said, I might be reminding you of something subtly magical, or that you may not have personally come across before: Fujifilm 200 and 100.

Why I Keep Reaching for Fuji 200 + 100

I have a love-hate relationship with 400 speed film. Yes, it’s reliable, and as I reminded a friend recently, if you can only stick one roll of film in your camera for the entire day, it's quite possible you'll choose a 400 speed film. But I’m drawn to the finer grain and character of lower-speed stocks.

Fuji 100 in particular has this bright, crisp serenity that feels tangible, tactile, like you can sip on the image you're looking at. You can really feel an image with Fuji 100. It's made me sad that it's been so hard to find lately (I am hoarding 3 rolls in my fridge that I refuse to touch).

Fuji 200—that’s my workhorse. It’s textured, versatile, and adds a comic book-like color and character to anything it captures. Depending on how you meter and scan it, it can look absolutely stunning. Catch me shooting almost exclusively on Fujifilm in the Fall -- in fact, my digital camera is a Fuji!

I’ve used both 100 and 200 in everyday settings and client sessions—and some of my favorite images have come from these underrated rolls.

Try My Favorite Film Photography Film Stocks

Changing up film stocks and playing around with character and color is one of my favorite aspects of film photography. It's the first variable I'd recommend switching up if you're bored, or trying out for a client session. If you’re craving something fresh, whether for a booked shoot or your own everyday photography, give Fujifilm 200 or 100 a try.

They may not be the flashiest, but in a world full of Portra, I can promise you they'll leave you with second thoughts over your own go-to.