A tintype (also known as a ferrotype) is a photograph made on a thin piece of metal. One side of the metal is coated black to create contrast. This is the side the photograph is taken on. These are one of a kind artifacts because there is no negative, so no way to make duplicates. The image “struck” on the metal is a reverse image.

Much like a tintype, it is the same process but on glass. A black backing is put against it once complete which creates contrast to see the photograph.

A studio session is approximately 45 minutes long. We’ll share with you some history of H.H. Bennett and the family’s studio and you’ll learn about historic photography while getting your very own portrait “struck”. This is historic photography so any subject will need to sit still anywhere from 5 to 20 seconds per photograph. Don’t worry, you can still breathe and blink normally!

Of course! If you can hold a smile for 5 to 20 seconds, please do. Many of our guests like to look “historic” by not having a full smile with teeth showing.

This type of photography loves blue and red. Blue will look white (including those with bright blue eyes!) and red will look black. Keep these things in mind when it comes to clothing and makeup choices. Fun patterns are always encouraged but remember, if you wear items with writing on them, the image will be reversed with the writing backwards!

No. We do not provide any costumes to wear. If however you have something specific, even if it is a costume, you would like to wear, you are welcome to do so. Don’t want to wear it here? That’s ok, we have restrooms for you to change in.

No. Your tintype image must first dry and then be heat varnished overnight so it is archivally stable enough to last for many years - maybe even hundreds! You can pick it up in person the following day when it is ready, or if you are unable to return we can ship it to you.

This is wet plate photography and requires some chemistry, which doesn’t always cooperate. Don’t worry, you will see your portrait turn from a negative to a positive right before your eyes! You will know what it looks like before you leave and if there’s a problem, we will take it again during your session at no extra cost. We want you to be happy with how you look! This is not a “one and done” type of photography session.

We advise you to NOT send us your original photo as we cannot guarantee it will be returned! We do need a copy of your original. We encourage you to scan and send a copy of your image to us digitally at a high resolution (at least 300 dpi), so we can provide you with the best quality tintype we can offer.

If you do not have a digital copy and there is no way for you to generate one, you may send us a physical copy of your original. Please reach out to us to discuss options and details.

Your personal photograph can be either! We do want to remind you that historic wet plate photography like what we are using is sensitive to certain colors. For example, reds will turn dark or to black and blues will turn white or look light. If your original photograph is black and white the same or similar shades and tones will be seen in your tintype as in your original image.

If you would like more than one tintype of the image you send us, we will need to do the same process multiple times. It would be as if you sent us the same photo over and over again. There is no way to digitally reproduce the original tintypes we are creating for you. It will be the same fees per each tintype made.

Unfortunately, we cannot make any edits to your original photo. The photo you send is what we will be reproducing.

That’s ok! As mentioned, if you have to send a physical copy of your photograph we will need to discuss details with you directly. In sending us a digital copy of your image we will print it to the size we need, this is why it needs to be a high-quality digital image/scan.

Yes and no! Your tintype will be in black and white. As mentioned in another question, if you send us a color photo, wet plate photography will be sensitive to specific colors. Reds will turn dark or black, blues will turn white or light.

Also, your image will be laterally reversed, meaning it will be flipped around. For example, if you’re seated on the left of your photo, in the tintype you will look like you’re on the right. Keep this in mind if there are any insignia or words in the image you send us as they will be backwards. We can flip your digital copy of the tintype you’ll receive around, but the physical tintype will be reversed.

Any agreement of rights of usage for any professional images are between you and the original photographer. In sending us a photograph, you should be the owner of that image and have the right to reproduce that image.

Some images simply may not lend themselves to a high-quality tintype. The coloring may cause issues, it may not be high enough quality, etc. These issues will be addressed as needed on a case by case basis.

These one-of-a-kind pieces of art start at just $65! They include one tintype of your original photo shipped to you in a branded sleeve and a digital copy of your tintype for you to share with friends and family.