What should I wear?
This is probably the most common question I get, and the short answer is: wear whatever feels the most like you. I want people to show up as their authentic selves, whatever that looks like.
That said, there are a few things that tend to photograph especially well in wet plate collodion:
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Texture is queen. Knits, lace, embroidery, linen, denim, layers, and anything with texture or contrast tend to look beautiful in tintypes.
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If there are multiple people in the portrait, I usually recommend avoiding completely matching outfits. A little variation helps everyone stand out individually and keeps people from visually blending together too much.
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Keep in mind that all writing will appear backwards in the final image, so shirts with logos or text may not translate the way you expect.
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I do not provide period clothing. While I love vintage pieces, I’m much more interested in photographing people as themselves rather than creating costume portraits. That said, if you have your great-grandmother’s amazing lace dress, by all means wear it.
The most important thing is that you feel comfortable, present, and connected to the image we’re making together.
What is your pricing?
My pricing varies depending on a few different factors, please check out my sessions and pricing pages for more detailed information.
Do you travel to events?
YES, I definitely travel to events! If you are located outside of the Nevada City, California area then I charge a travel fee based on the distance I am traveling. My Pop-Up prices will also reflect my travel time.
How long is a session?
Sessions will vary depending on how many plates we are making, but each plate will typically take 20-30 minutes for Natural Light Sessions, and possibly a little less if we are using strobe lights.
Will I get a digital scan?
YES! I provide a digital scan for every plate we make, I also write the names and date on the back with a simple engraving pen, not a SHARPIE!!!
Can I take my tintype home the same day?
Each Tintype is handmade during your session using historic photographic processes, and must be handled carefully to ensure it's longevity. During your session you will be able to see the magic of your tintype come to life, then it is rinsed, dried, scanned, varnished, names written on the back, and finally packaged up. After all these steps are complete, I will either set up a time for pick up locally, or I will get it in the mail to you.
Can I bring my pet?
YES! I love making Tintypes with all the animals, that being said, if your pet is particularly wild please make sure they won't jump on anything. There is also a good chance that they will be a bit blurry if they are extra wiggly, but I will do my best to get them to sit still.
How long do I have to sit still?
The amount of time needed to sit still will vary depending on how fast my chemistry is on that particular day, combined with what the sun is doing. You can expect to sit still anywhere from 1-8 seconds for a natural light portrait for the exposure time. There is set up time to get the framing just right though before the actual exposure.
What if I am not happy with my portrait?
I am always happy to keep shooting until we have an image that you are absolutely in love with. However, each image we make requires chemicals, materials and time. A $50 fee is required for each retake, if it’s not due to chemical or technical error. It is also good to note that if you area a person who likes super edited photos of yourself, this might not be the thing for you. I never edit my digital copies, and I believe the "imperfections" that happen during this process are part of what makes each one unique.