Black Paw Studio uses the same techniques that were used in the 1850’s to create beautiful and unique hand crafted images.

A tintype is an image that is made on a metal surface. It is made in such a manner that it cannot be reproduced. You can scan it or photograph it, but either way, it is not the same. The original tintype, straight from the camera, is the only one of its kind. And we like that.

Be Aware: The wet plate collodion process is very, very different from modern photography. Long exposures require the sitter to remain absolutely still for several seconds, the final result is affected by many things, temperature, humidity, imperfections on the plate & developing times, just to name a few. There will be imperfections and flaws on each plate, like a fingerprint, each one is completely unique, and can never be reproduced exactly the same again. Remember, this is art.

What to wear? Collodion is Orthochromatic. Warm colors such as red, yellow, and orange will appear very dark in your image, whereas cool tones like blue and green go lighter. Text on your clothing will appear reversed, as will you, everything in the collodion world is backwards. Small children and animals are welcome, just know that the long exposures that this process demands are usually problematic for them, and will cause them to blur in the final image.

What do I get? First and foremost, you will get a portrait session unlike any other that you have ever experienced. a glimpse into our past in a way that seems to make you a part of the past as well. You will receive a beautiful object made of glass, aluminum or steel that will retain your image for generations after it has been struck. You will see your images at the session, and feel free to photograph them with whatever device you wish, but the final varnished image won't be ready for pickup or delivery until the following Friday.