Artist Statement
I aim to treat a photographic portrait as an epochal event in one's life while still maintaining the subject's true personality. In the past, people would bring in items of wealth and value to display social class or societal importance. Instead, I want my subjects to curate whats truly important and meaningful to them by bringing any sort material items that they have personally bonded to or have great personal importance. Whether its a loved one or relative, heirloom, pet, or anything else that has specific importance to you, I want that captured on a one-of-kind piece of photographic history that in turn, becomes its own sort of relic to be admired and cherished for many years to come.
Book a Session
Come visit me in my creepy basement studio located in the Lord’s Park neighborhood of Elgin, Illinois.
A session for 1-2 tintypes takes about an hour, and hour and a half max.
There is no charge for the “session” as such, just for the actual medium you would like to take home. If you would like a varnished tintype plate plus an extra high-quality scan the cost is $75. High quality digital scans for $10 or are included for free with any purchase. You can have a reproduction of your tintype printed on a gallery quality art paper via a pigment-based inkjet printer. Prices are for $25 for an 8"x 10" print, $40 for 11"x 14" print, or $55 for a 13”x 19” Print. Framing is available by request. Tintypes must be varnished and I will keep your plate for up to one week after scanning to allow the varnish time to cure properly.
(Please email borussell5037@gmail.com for information regarding off-site sessions, house call sessions, events, or party tintype pop-up booth)
Tips for what to wear: I usually suggest to avoid white, and also avoid black clothing. Glasses do not typically translate right. Most of the time we get a lot of glare, and most coated lenses turn out exactly like sunglasses. Not recommended, but if you want to wear glasses anyway that is up to you. Textures like denim and corduroy look really cool. Makeup colors that look good are red lipstick. Purple, pink, and fuchsia turn out looking like nude, so it doesn’t turn out the way you’d expect. You can dress up if you want to or just wear what you typically wear day-to-day. This is your photograph after all!
*3% of all proceeds from our session will be donated to Wild Ones Greater Kane County Chapter in their mission to promote the use of native plants in landscaping, gardening, naturescaping and land restoration. More info here: https://greaterkanecounty.wildones.org