Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tintype? A tintype is a photograph created with the wet-plate collodion process invented in 1850. Historically made on tin, which has been black japanned, most tintypes made today are done on trophy aluminum. Collodion is poured on the plate’s surface, and the plate is then placed in a tank with a silver nitrate solution to become sensitive to light. Once sensitized, and while the plate is still wet, it is shot as you would a piece of sheet film  Then the plate is brought back into the red light safe dark room to be developed and processed immediately. After each plate is washed and dried, it is coated with a protective layer of varnish and ready to send off to its new home. While the process is fairly lengthy in comparison to modern photography, each image taking 15-20 minutes to create, and a one-shot deal, the results are truly stunning, and take about as long as a polaroid takes to develop.

Do I need an appointment?  For a session with me in my studio, yes email me at email@robertstilwell.com to discuss further. For events, an appointment isn’t necessary, but will reserve you a spot should an event be fairly busy!

Do I need a deposit? Yes. Your deposit is 1/3rd your session cost. The remaining balance of the session will be paid upon completion of the session. If you do not show/cancel within 36 hours of your appointment, your deposit is lost and you will need to pay a new deposit if you would like to reschedule, the lost deposit will not count toward this newly scheduled session. See cancellation policies below for more info.

I got a tintype from you a long time ago, can I still come pick it up? I have a filing fee of $20 dollars for any and all tintypes not picked up within 60 days of our shoot. You paid good money for the tintype, and I worked real hard on it. Please don’t abandon them!

How long will a portrait session take?  It usually takes 15-30 minutes to shoot a single plate. Typically plates are mailed out or picked up after events. Once your image is made, I have to let the plate dry, and then varnish it for protection. The last step of varnishing is not completed at events, however, once your plate is varnished it will be sent to you. If you are local, you may pick your plate up once it is ready if you wish to. For those of you from out of town, your plate will be in the mail on its way to you shortly.

What should I expect if I am having my portrait made? Each plate must be prepared prior to shooting, which will take a few minutes. First a chemical emulsion is poured onto glass or metal. Second, the plate is made light sensitive. Once light sensitive it must lastly be exposed, developed & fixed in order for an image to appear. Tintypes are very slow and needs a lot of light to expose correctly. Making images with sunlight means subjects have to stay still anywhere from 2 seconds up to 10 seconds (sometimes even more), any movement, even slight will make your image blurry.

How many people can be photographed at once?  I can generally fit up to two people per 4x5 or 8x10. If you have more than that, I must know in advance, and even then I may not be able to fit more than two. Especially if I’m shooting with artificial lighting, I can only light two people at a time, and cannot be held responsible if someone is under-lit because more than two people were insisted upon.

What should I wear?  Anything you'd like! Reds will look much darker, and blues will look very bright in the end, keep that in mind! I wouldn’t recommend red lipstick.

What is included in a portrait session?  A session includes one tintype, unless additional plates are purchased. We develop the plate in front of you. If you would like to make changes, let the photographer know and we will re shoot once at no cost.

Can I bring my child or pet to the studio?  Absolutely, I do ask that you just let me know prior to your appointment. Children and Pets often have a hard time sitting still, and most images require pure stillness anywhere from 2-10 seconds, please remember this when you see the final image. I can always reshoot a plate if you aren’t pleased with how your child/pet looks, up to one reshoot plate.

Are marks on my image normal ? Yes. Tintypes are imperfect by nature, that’s a part of the charm. This style of photography was invented in 1850, and is done via liquid chemicals in a darkroom. Minor flaws due to chemistry and evidence of handling are normal. If any of these detract from the image, let us know before we finish the photograph, and we can re shoot at no cost (one reshoot plate max per shot).

Can I use the photograph commercially? Sure. Like any photographer, usage fees apply when the work is used in a commercial or editorial fashion. The price will vary depending on how the image is used. You may contact us anytime for a quote.

What about digital copies? Scans are included with the cost of your Tintype. I do small amounts of retouching to remove dust, but will not do any serious photoshop work on your plate.

When should I receive my physical tintype/digital scans? Unfortunately, you don’t get to take your tintype home the day of your shoot/event. I have to process the tintype by scanning it, rinsing away chemicals, and varnishing it for protection. For private sessions it usually takes me 24 hours to get your tintype scanned, and varnished. We can work out a pickup time or I can mail it to you after the fact. For events, the turnaround delivery time on Tintypes is entirely dependent on how many we created together. I will obviously communicate with you as far as how long you should expect it to take.

Are you available for events? Absolutely, shoot me an email and we can discuss your event! 

EVENT / POP-UP INFO

Set up time takes about an hour or so. Tear down time is around 45 minutes. Additionally, access to power and water is needed, please keep this in mind when booking. In my experience there will need to be at least a 20 amp breaker or more to allow my strobe lighting to be fully functional. If you have any questions or concerns with this please let me know.

SHIPPING POLICIES

While I prefer local pickup for Tintypes, I understand that it may not be convenient for all.

All mailed Tintypes are shipped via Snail Mail USPS, however, once they leave my hands I am not responsible for lost mail or mail delivered to the wrong address. I will not issue any refunds for lost mail.

CANCELATION POLICIES

Please provide 36 hours notice of cancelation or rescheduling appointments. I understand emergencies happen, however, I reserve the right to charge 100% of the appointment cost if appointments are canceled, rescheduled, or not notified during the 36 hr time period, especially in the event of no call/no shows. In the case of someone cancelling within 36 hrs, or no call/no showing on a session, their deposit is lost to cover the time spent preparing for the shoot. A lost deposit will not be reimplemented into a rescheduled shoot. This also applies to event/pop-up cancelations. If you have any questions or would like to reschedule please email email@robertstilwell.com.

HOUSE CALLS / PORCH PORTRAITS / ON LOCATION SESSIONS

Set up and break down takes about 30-45 minutes. The images we create during this session will be natural light only, please understand this means you will need to hold still for 2-10 seconds, sometimes more depending on time of day, and quality of light. This method isn’t forgiving when photographing children or animals, any slight movement will create a blur in our final image. While not as efficient as studio sessions these sessions allow for full body portraits and have a softer look. If this is your thing book here or shoot us an email to set up a porch portrait!

**Travel fee 10 miles within Nashville city limits is $50, outside of Nashville proper travel fee is $75 - plates & digital scans not included - please email with further questions. Travel 35 miles beyond Nashville is based on mileage to and from location. Please email for quotes. **