• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Photography Concentrate

Learn Photography Faster!

  • Blog
  • Learn
    • Camera Skills
    • Light Skills
    • Composition Skills
    • Photo Editing Skills – Lighroom
    • Creativity Field Guide
    • Shoot Awesome Video
    • Pro – Build Your Business
      • Photography Income Formula
      • Simple Wedding Photography
      • Awesome Album Design Skills
      • Really Easy Retouching
  • About
  • Free Resources
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Instant Film Photography / Secret Weapon: The Fuji Instax

Secret Weapon: The Fuji Instax

Updated on March 17, 2020 by Rob Lim

UPDATE: We’ve created an ultimate guide to instant film which you can find here.

Before we embarked on our adventures in Peru we thought about what we could do to give prints to the people we photographed. We hoped to give something back to the people we shot, so that it wasn’t just a “take” situation. We really wanted to take a Polaroid camera with us but the film was (and still is) prohibitively expensive.

Enter the Fuji Instax!

The Instax is a camera similar to Polaroid cameras providing an instant print. The difference is that the Instax film cartridges are cheaper, produce more color accurate photos, and produce a wide format print (as opposed to Polaroid’s square). I’m all for the nostalgia of Polaroid cameras and the photos they produce (we have a few cameras that we still use!) but I really enjoy the changes of this new “Polaroid” camera.

The photos this big camera (it’s actually quite large!) produces are of fantastic quality!

This young boy was herding sheep on the side of the road in the Sacred Valley. We stopped and chatted with him for a bit (well, as much as we could in our single word Spanish). I pulled out the Instax and snapped a shot for him. Admittedly I like the photos the Instax produces so much that I often take two shots (one for me and one for them!).

Shortly after I took the first one the boy’s father came along and I asked if I could take a photo of the two of them together. It’s pretty awesome being able to take photos and give them a souvenir right away. Everyone is now accustomed to the digital process, and know that we can show them the photo on the back of the camera. But that’s really not very exciting anymore. When we’re able to hand them a physical print instantly, it truly makes it a fantastic experience for our subjects.

One of the most precious things to watch is children trying to figure out what the “blank” piece of paper I hand them is. They understand that it must have something to do with the camera and a photo but are often confused that it comes out of the camera blank. Many try to tear the Instax open to get at what must be inside, so make sure you’re standing nearby to prevent the accidental destruction! As soon as a minute passes they see the photos start to appear and they think it’s magic!

A few more shots from Peru.

Now the secret part! We’ve been using the Instax during weddings and portrait sessions to give clients a shot right away. It’s crazy how much people love getting a quick print in this era where nearly all photos live only on your computer, and not in your hands! Usually I take a bunch, give them one or two right away (they’re pumped!), then I scan the rest and give them to them later on with the rest of their prints (pumped again!). It’s a small thing, but it really gives our clients a great experience, and has them talking about us even before they’ve seen all their “real” photos.

instant4.jpg
instant-0002.jpg
tihiroandmike-37.jpg

Tip: Obviously you wont be photoshopping or processing these images and clients will be seeing them right away so it helps to take shots from a bit farther away (more flattering environmental portraits – which also work well with the wider format). It also helps to take a bunch. Sometimes a shot won’t turn out and if it’s the only one you took that might be a bit disappointing! I usually shoot about 5 shots a session and give them the second best one telling them to throw that one on the fridge while I scan the rest for them.

Polaroid also makes a digital camera / printer combo called the Polaroid PoGo Instant Digital Camera. It uses a new type of inkless paper (far out!). I haven’t had the chance to use this yet but I’m thinking about picking one up for our next trip. I like the idea of having a digital copy as well as being able to print off multiple copies of prints. Plus the paper is actually cheaper than the Instax! The only downside is that we won’t be able to watch kids be mystified as the “blank” paper becomes a photo.

Is there something you usually do on a shoot to wow your clients? Share it with us in the comments below! :)

Filed Under: Instant Film Photography

About Rob Lim

Hi there, I’m Rob! I’m a photography ninja here at Photography Concentrate. I love all things photography: shooting, teaching and always learning more! If I’m not reading up on the latest photography news, or studying a technique, I’m probably reading a book or planning our next adventure!

Primary Sidebar

Hi there!


We're The Photography Concentrate Team: Daniel, Kaitlyn and Kristal. Think of us as your photo friends – we’re here to help you take great photos, and have a ton of fun together while we’re at it!

Instagram Twitter Facebook YouTube Browse the Archives

Footer

Navigation

  • Blog
  • Learn
  • About

Connect

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Newsletter

Important Stuff

  • Comment Policy
  • Material Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Earnings Disclaimer

Disclaimer

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Additionally, we participate in other affiliate programs and sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links.

Return to top of page
Copyright © 2020 Photography Concentrate

newsletterpopupheader

Get FREE photography training today!

Subscribe to our newsletter and learn how to take awesome photos, and get tons of free stuff to make it faster, and easier!
Join today and get instant access!

Join our +48,000 photographer pals, and get our very best content and freebies delivered straight to your inbox!
Register To This Secret Photography Training (FREE but seats are limited!)
How To Start & Grow
A Professional Photography Business
And Get Paid For Your Photos In The Next 30 Days
This method works even if you don’t have expensive gear and don’t want to chase clients!

We like to keep it a small group so we can engage together.
Our webinars are always filled to the last seat.
ONLY reserved seats will gain access to the room!

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkView our Privacy Policy