A tintype image is an archival photograph exposed directly onto a metal plate. With the tintype or ‘wet-plate collodion’ process, the light sensitive emulsion (or ‘film’) is created using liquid chemistry just minutes before the exposure is made (while still wet), and developed & fixed immediately after. The whole process takes about 15 minutes. Then the plate must be washed, scanned and varnished. Each tintype is a one-of-a-kind original.

Yes! Your varnished plate will be ready for pickup about a week after the session.

Easy! Dust it off with a soft brush or gently with a soft-cotton t-shirt, and don't display it somewhere with much direct sunlight as this can damage the emulsion over time. I prefer to display tintypes without a frame, simply leaning on a shelf or mantle so that they can be held and admired up-close. These are material images after all––image-objects, if you will––unlike paper images, or images seen on screens or printed in books. You may frame them of course, but don't have them pressed against the glass of the frame. Shadow-box style frames work well, with the plate lifted from the backing board for a nice floating effect.

We can shoot multiple takes of the same ‘set-up’ if you’d like, but each tintype will be a totally unique object. No two are the same.

Yes, I’ll send you a digital file/scan of any plate you've purchased within a week after the session. You can purchase scans of all plates from a session (including those you don't keep) for $30.

Each tintype takes between 10 and 20 minutes from start to finish. We'll shoot 2 to 4 images within a session depending on the size of the plate and the complexity of the image.

Exposure times are typically between 5 and 15 seconds for standard portraits, but can be much longer for more involved/creative/experimental images for larger groups. Everyone in the image will have to sit still for that time to avoid a blurry image.

No. Your plate(s) will be washed, air-dried, scanned, and varnished.. they’ll be ready within a week after the session. If necessary I can have your plates varnished within an hour or two after the session, but this must be arranged in advance.

Simple answer: Wear clothing you feel comfortable in or what you want to be wearing in the image, and bring options that we can discuss on the day. Plain and simple. Technical answer: Reds and reddish colors will appear anywhere from grey to black (darker in general), and blues and bluish colors appear grey/light-grey to white (lighter in general). I find that clothing with textures work nicely. I recommend avoiding bright whites, but if you're set on something white or that's what you happen to be wearing on the day, we can make it work––you may have seen images on this site with people wearing bright whites that worked well in the end. For couples (or groups), if one person is wearing white, I would suggest the person next to them wears something a bit darker.

I’ve made images with infants (as little as 4 weeks old!) and been pleased with the results! Tintypes require an exposure time between 5 and 15 seconds on average, so everyone in the picture will have to sit still for that time to avoid a blurry image. Because kids can be unpredictable, I cannot guarantee a clear image of them––but as I mentioned, I've had success with children of all ages, and I will do my best to do what I can to keep their attention on the camera during the exposure. Some people bring toys to help with this, or a phone playing a show near the camera lens––which I can assist with. I'm willing to do what you think will allow for the best result. There is a bright flash involved, but this is safe even for infants.

As I mentioned in the previous question about kids, everyone in the image will have to sit still for between 5 and 15 seconds to avoid a blurry image. Dogs can be as unpredictable as children, so I cannot guarantee a clear image of them. That said, I’ve had success with dogs and cats, and am willing to work with you/them to create the best image possible on the day. I recommend bringing toys and/or treats to help hold their attention during the exposure. I ask for an additional $30 for pet sessions.

Yes! I charge $20 for shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.S. If you need a plate shipped elsewhere let me know and we’ll work something out.

Yes, I offer prints on a metallic paper stock or a matte photo stock. All prints come in a white 8x10" mat. 4x5” - $30 each or 3 for $75 5x7” - $40 each or 3 for $100 8x10" - $65 each 10x14" - $85 Care for these is much like that of a tintype: dust them with a soft brush or gently with a cotton shirt, and don't display them in areas with much direct sunlight. Prints can fade over time... but the tintype will last longer than we will!

Yes. My portable darkroom can come to you for an additional fee. To estimate the cost of a travel session, add $150 to the prices listed in my booking page for the desired size (4x5”/5x7”/8x10”) + $30 per 25 miles away from Seattle. Taxes and fees apply / cash avoids tax.