Tintype Photo session instructions and suggestions

Getting to the studio

Address is 902 Hardy St. Houston TX 77020

I am in studio 9

The main doors to the Hardy & Nance studio complex are almost always locked so when you arrive, please park on Nance street if possible and come to the door marked “N” Text me when you arrive and I will let you into the building. Tw number will be provided at booking.

Please try not to be more than 5 minutes early (or late) if at all possible, especially if this is a 

“Pop-Up” as I am trying to keep the studio capacity at a minimum and you may have to wait outside if you are too early.

FAQs

What are tintypes? Tintypes or Wet Plate Collodion photographs were invented in 1851. I use cameras built from the late 1800s - 1940s to take the photos. The chemistry is hand made and cannot be purchased from a store. Each photograph is hand coated, sensitized with silver, taken, developed and fixed while still wet.  Each photo is unique and will often have chemical artifacts from the process. This is what makes it special! There is no negative, so each photo is one of a kind ( although I can scan them, time permitting, so prints could be made). The size of the picture is the size of that camera back. Generally I shoot either 4x5 or 5 x 7 inch photos. For those that know about photography, each image must be shot with the aperture wide open as the ISO is about 1 ( no that is not a typo)

What should I wear? Fancy dress, hats and costumes are always welcome as are plain clothes. Patterns look great, especially things with high contrast. I generally suggest wearing something that is in the mid-color range as whites and blacks can tend to lose detail in the highlights and shadows. That being said, lots of people still opt to wear those colors. Know that black on a black background can tend to give a floating head look with some black clothing, especially if it has no sheen or texture to reflect light back at the camera. Also note that graphic tees and wording will always be backwards as the camera shoots you as if you are in a mirror. Ask about bringing any props, accessories or other things you might want to have fun being photographed with. Usually I am open too it as long as the space considerations are small and set up time is minimal.

Tintypes do not show the color spectrum the same way black and white photos do. Blues tend to look white while reds can look dark or almost black.Clothing and skin may look different than expected because of undertones that may not been seen with the naked eye.

What kind of makeup looks best? Heavier matte makeup looks best. If you tend to get dark circles under your eyes, I suggest concealer, especially if the area is red as red tends to show up much darker. Darker lip colors read better than nudes. Red lipstick will show up darker than it is as reds tend to look darker in tintypes while blues tend to look lighter or white. Because the UV light spectrum of tintypes, freckles may show up more than expected and tattoos may be almost invisible.

Can I wear glasses? It depends. There are a few issues with glasses -UV coatings, reflections from studio lights and Transition lenses, or photochromic lenses. While I do my best to pose carefully, reflections from studio lights can obscure your eyes and transition lenses WILL turn black with the flash. UV coated lenses can look smokey. I suggest either wearing frames with no lenses or going without glasses altogether if possible. Unless you want to look dark and mysterious, like Roy Orbison.

Do I have stay still for a long period of time? I generally use modern studio lights that flash brightly and quickly so while you do need to maintain a pose when I focus the camera and set off the lights, it is not a very long time. Please note that I cannot see to focus a photo after I have put the wet plate in place so sudden movement should be avoided. See special notes for kids and pets below.

How many People can be in one photo? In a 4 x 5 tintype I suggest no more than 2.

In a 5 x 7 I suggest no more than 3-4.

Because of the unique properties of the process it is hard to light more people than that in one image. It is also hard to keep everyone in focus the more people there are. For those that know about photography, each image must be shot with the aperture wide open as the ISO is about 1 ( no that is not a typo)

Do you take photos of kids? Of course! I take photos of children all the time. I will repeat that I cannot focus the photo after I have the plate in the camera so it is important that they be able to hold a pose for at least a five seconds and while I do try to get them to smile, once the plate is in the camera, they will need to be still or there may be a “ghost” image from the child moving around too much. It really is a unique process and imperfect, so if you are seeking the perfect kid photos, I also do digital sessions. Children are occasionally wary of the bright lights  and I may not be able to take repeated photos. I suggest bringing snacks and something to occupy them with. A little bribery never hurt ;)

Do you take photos of pets? I do take photos of dogs that can hold a sit/stay position for 10 seconds or so. I highly suggest bringing treats as they may not hold still for the lights more than 1-2 times. While I attempt to get them to look at the camera, the photo must be taken within about 5 seconds or there may be a “ghost” image from the pet moving around too much. I do take photos of other pets ( Cats, snakes, chickens, goats, peacocks...) but I suggest the owner hold them. If the pet does not like to be held but you would still like a tintype, ask me about digital to tintype images. Pets may incur an additional cost during pop-up events ( or I may not be able to include them at all depending on the crowd) and mini sessions as they take up more time.

What is included with each session?

Unless otherwise noted on my social media, I only offer full sessions.

Each full session lasts about 1.5 hours and I include 5 tintypes of your choice ( additional may be purchased a la carte). This allows me to take a few extra to make sure you are satisfied with each pose.

Each pop-up session includes whatever is listed in the package advertised. While I do everything I can to pose a subject in a flattering way if they are having trouble, the session does not include retakes unless there are clear issues with the image, such as closed eyes or chemical flaws across the face. Retakes are done at the discretion of the photographer.

How long does each session take? Each tintype takes approximately 10-15 minutes to take and develop. If you would like to take the plate home with you the same day allow another 20-40 minutes for the plate to be dried and varnished. I am only at my studio by appointment so I highly encourage you to pick them up the same day.

Is a digital copy included? Yes, they are included unless otherwise noted during special mini sessions or pop-up events. Photos must be scanned before being varnished. If you are on a tight time schedule and need them the same day, I may not have time to scan the tintypes. Digital copies will be sent out within a week or so of your session. If you have not received the digital image by then, please let me know what date you came in and I will resend.

Additional notes

I generally only use plain white or black backdrops. I do offer photos with custom drawn backdrops (white drawings on black paper) for an additional charge. Occasionally I also offer photos with a Paper Moon set up or other special set up.

Skin tones- I take photos of all skin colors and will modify lighting as needed to best each subject however a lot of times people will come out much darker or lighter depending on their underlying skin tones. If your skin tends to be reddish or have a reddish undertone, you will look darker than someone whose skin is in a bluer range. I often cannot tell this until after the photo has been taken. If you have a sunburn, you will look quite dark!

Posing- most images are from the mid torso up or the waist up. Due to space constraints, full length photos are not generally an option. If you are looking to do full length, let me know and we can discuss your ideas.