Meet Shoot Film Norwich: Free Film Photography Walks in Norwich
Shoot Film Norwich is a free, friendly film photography group in Norwich. They run photo walks, meet-ups and exhibitions, can lend a camera to newcomers, and welcome every skill level. Here's why we love them, and how to join.
If you shoot film in Norwich, or you've been meaning to start, this is a group you should know about.
Their first photo walk was in June 2025, from Chapelfield to the Lanes. A year on, they've photographed half of Norfolk, put on two exhibitions and become one of the friendliest film communities around.
We collaborate with them a lot. We've known each other since we both started up, and you should definitely check them out, especially their new DIY camera fixing page.
What Is Shoot Film Norwich?
It's a community of analogue photographers in and around Norwich. There's no committee, no membership fee and no competition. Just people who love shooting film, getting together to take photos, swap tips and have a natter, sometimes over a pint afterwards.
Their manifesto is worth a read. A few of the bits we love:
- Photo walks are always free
- Everyone's welcome, and it's an LGBTQIA+ safe space
- No competitions, so nobody has to worry whether their photos are good enough
- People help each other learn instead of competing
- No AI, just real photos on real film
- Atmosphere and enjoying the process matter more than chasing the perfect shot
It also says they back their local film lab, Just Shoot Film on Heigham Street. We'll take that.
You Don't Even Need a Film Camera
No film camera? They can often lend you one for a walk, so message them on Instagram beforehand. They're happy to help you choose a film and find an affordable camera of your own, and digital and phone shooters are welcome too.
Don't miss their new DIY camera fixing page either. It has guides to cleaning cameras and lenses, the basic tools for repairs, and replacing light seals. That last one is one of the most common fixes on an old camera, and the usual cure for mystery streaks. More on those in our post about developing old film.
Where They've Been
A flavour of the past year:
- A steam train ride at Whitwell Station's 1940s weekend
- Match day street photography on the way to Carrow Road
- World Pinhole Day in Cromer
- A day at the seaside in Great Yarmouth
- Norwich Pride and the Lord Mayor's Procession
- An evening at Snetterton race track
- The horses and donkeys at Redwings
- Sheringham's 1940s weekend and an autumn mooch around Cromer
They've also put on two exhibitions at Art Depot NR3 on Magdalen Street. A New Day was in June, and A Window to the Soul in October showed portraits from across the analogue community. We were proud to sponsor that one, alongside our friends at Stampe.
Coming Up: A Free Photo Walk Along the River
On Saturday 31 October there's a free photo walk along the River Wensum, part of Norwich City Council's Where the River Meets Us series, with Shoot Film Norwich and us as partners.
- Meet at 12:15 by the river bridge and pumping station at New Mills Yard, for a 12:30 start
- At 1pm you'll reach Fye Bridge for Folk on the Water, with the folk duo Lassie playing from canoes
- It finishes around 2pm
- It's free, there's no booking, and any camera is welcome, film, digital or phone
- The first 15 film shooters to arrive get a voucher for a free develop and scan of one roll of 35mm, in the lab or by post
The lab is a couple of hundred metres from the start and opens at 11:30 on Saturdays, so pop in first if you need film.
There's a second, spookier walk later the same day too, Frights and Flashlights, hunting Halloween scenes with flash. After that, they're off to the Plantation Garden and Norwich's other cathedral on 14 November, and out for night-time long exposures in the city centre on 28 November. Bring a tripod for that one.
All the details are on their events page.
How to Join Shoot Film Norwich
- Follow @shootfilmnorwich on Instagram for event announcements
- Turn up to a walk. Once you've met everyone in person, you can ask to join their Instagram group chat
- Tag them in your film photos, and they might share them
Film has always been better shared. If you've been shooting on your own, go and say hello.
And when the rolls are done, you know where we are. Send them in, or drop them off at the lab on Heigham Street.