The Art of Wet Plate Photography — Tintype Portraits in Lancaster, PA
Photography today is fast. Phones capture hundreds of images in seconds, filters are instant, and photos often live only on screens. But over 170 years ago, photography was something entirely different — slow, intentional, and permanent.
That’s exactly why I love wet plate tintype photography.
At PhotOle Photography, we are proud to offer one of the most unique portrait experiences available — and currently the only studio in Lancaster, PA creating authentic wet plate tintype portraits.
What Is Wet Plate Photography?
Wet plate photography (also called the collodion process) was invented in the 1850s. Unlike modern photography, there is no digital sensor, no memory card, and no instant preview.
Instead, each portrait is:
Hand-poured onto a metal plate
Sensitized in silver nitrate
Exposed in a large format camera
Developed immediately while still wet
The entire photograph is created by hand — start to finish — in real time.
Every tintype is a one-of-a-kind original. There is no duplicate negative and no copy identical to it. When you hold it, you are holding the actual photograph, not a print of one.
Why People Choose Tintype Portraits
People often come in expecting a photoshoot — but leave feeling like they experienced history.
Wet plate portraits have a depth and presence modern photography can’t replicate. The silver image lives on the surface of the plate and changes subtly in different light. It feels tangible, permanent, and real.
Clients choose tintypes because they want:
A portrait that lasts generations
Artwork instead of disposable images
A meaningful heirloom
A slower, memorable experience
These portraits are often created for families, artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone wanting something more personal than a digital file.
A Completely Different Portrait Experience
Because the process requires preparation and timing, the session becomes intentional. You slow down. You hold still. You become aware of the moment.
Many clients say it feels less like taking a photo and more like being part of creating one.
Imperfections, textures, and marks are not flaws — they are part of the authenticity. Each plate records not just your appearance, but a moment in time.
Why We Offer It
I believe photography should be meaningful.
Modern images are everywhere, but very few become treasured objects. Wet plate photography brings back the idea that a portrait matters — that it’s worth keeping, displaying, and passing down.
Creating tintypes allows me to combine craftsmanship, history, and storytelling in a way digital photography simply can’t replace.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never seen a tintype in person, it’s hard to describe. The moment you hold one, you understand — it feels alive.
Not trendy. Not filtered. Not temporary.
Just real.
