Margaret Mendenhall

Forest Film LLC | Johnston, IA 50131
Website: forestfilm.org
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Forest Film LLC

Forest Film is an Iowa-based photography studio creating painterly, light-driven imagery inspired by renaissance art, quiet cinema, and the windswept feeling of Scotland brought into the Midwest.

Our work blends digital and film, including Super 8, to create photographs that feel timeless, textural, and deeply human. We’re drawn to atmosphere, softness, and the small, fleeting moments that give a story its weight.

The experience is just as intentional as the images. Couples receive a thoughtfully designed wedding magazine mailed to their door to help them plan with clarity and calm, along with print credits for heirloom artwork crafted through some of the finest print labs available. Forest Film is for those who want photography that feels like art — and an experience that goes far beyond showing up with a camera.

Studio Information

Years in Business
3 Years

Employee Count
4 Employees

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting price for your photography services?
$225/hr
What is the price of your most popular package?
$3,600
What is typically included in your most popular package?
The Sunfell | Wedding Package | Includes 8 hours of digital photography coverage, 35mm film, welcome guide, polaroids, and more.
What primary photographic style do you identify with?
Painterly and cinematic. Inspired by film, old paintings, and the softness of natural light — guided without feeling staged.
What photography services do you offer?
Wedding + Elopement, Family, Portraits + Seniors, Engagement + Couples, Newborn, Pets, Headshots + Branding
What photography items do you offer?
Prints, Mentorship
Do you offer digital files?
Yes; all our packages include a digital gallery and print release.
Can you walk me through your process?
We start with a conversation to understand your plans, then send a detailed quote tailored to your requested coverage. Once accepted, you receive a contract and invoice for a 30% retainer to officially reserve your date. The remaining balance is due either the day of your session or on the first of your wedding month, with flexible payment plans available, including Klarna and Afterpay. After booking, you receive our printed wedding magazine to help guide planning, and we remain available for timeline support and thoughtful guidance along the way. On the day, we take a documentary approach with gentle direction when needed, then carefully edit and deliver your images as a cohesive story with heirloom print options.
Do you offer a pre-session consultation?
Yes — we offer pre-session consultations to talk through vision, styling, location, and anything that will help you feel prepared and relaxed going into your session.
Will you help style me?
Yes. We provide a detailed style guide for all non-wedding sessions with guidance on color, texture, movement, and how clothing photographs in natural light, so you feel confident choosing pieces that work beautifully on camera.
Do you have a studio?
We don’t maintain a permanent studio. Most sessions take place outdoors, in public locations, in your home, or at your wedding venue. However, when a studio space is the right fit, we work with several local studios that we rent as needed.
What is your cancellation policy?
Our retainer is non-refundable, as it reserves your date and we begin planning right away. For weddings, if a cancellation occurs within 60 days of the event, the remaining balance is still due since the date can no longer be rebooked. For all other sessions, any payments made are non-refundable if you need to cancel.

More Information

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