Victorian Tintype Portraits 2024
Saturday, & Sunday, October 26th & 27th, 2024
$80-100 +service fees.
We are SOLD OUT! Thank you!
Back and expanded due to popular demand, this 2024 Halloween season is the chance to bring home a piece of photographic history. Victorian Photography Studio/ Union Tintype and Hellcat Darkroom will be on site ready to take your portrait using 19th-century photographic technology, resulting in a one-of-a-kind tintype portrait. Bring home a special memento of your trip to Lyndhurst during the most exciting time of the year. CAS Photography, out of San Diego, CA will be on deck selling her incredible reproduction 19th-century frames for your photo!
As this is a traveling studio, costumes will not be on site to rent, but visitors are welcome to come dressed for the occasion or in your Halloween best!
You must reserve your time slot and choose the size of portrait you want. Each session can accommodate up to 5 individuals. Groups of 6 and larger should purchase multiple, subsequent time slots. Each slot results in one physical portrait; so choosing two slots for a large group results in TWO images. Timed entry is every 10 minutes and will alternate between Victorian Photography Studio and Hellcat Darkroom. Photography must be reserved beforehand as there will be no walk-on availability unless there is a no-show.
Purchase includes entry to the Gothic Harvest Market and Grounds access. If you’d like to access the Mansion, please mention that when checking in at the Welcome Center and our staff will help you!
Check out the gallery below (or social media) of examples of portraits from the past two years!
Collodion, or wet-plate photography as we have come to know it today, was invented in 1851 by a gentleman named Fredrick S. Archer. This process was invented to allow images to be made on glass — multiple copies then could be made from the same plate. In 1856, the tin-type process was added, allowing collodion images to be made on thin sheets of metal.
The unique thing about this process is that the plate must remain wet before being sensitized and exposed. If the plate dries out before the photographer has time to develop the image, it will no longer be light-sensitive and will be completely useless. Hence the name “wet plate” process.
When you have a wet plate done, not only do you receive a beautiful piece of history with your image in it — you also get a short history lesson and witness the process of genuine 19th-century photography.
Tickets
Reserve your time slot and choose the size photograph you wish to take with you:
1/2 Plate $80– Measures 4 1/2″ X 5 1/2″
5×7 Plate $100 – Measures 5″ X 7″
*Prices increased this year due to the cost of materials and chemicals!
Purchases are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
Schedule
Each photographic session takes 10 minutes, please arrive 5 -10 minutes before your reserved time.
Photos will be ready 25 minutes after your image has been taken, please return to pick up your photograph and perhaps purchase a matching reproduction frame!
Sessions begin at 9:30 am and the last photo will be taken at 5:00 pm.
The purchase includes entry to the Gothic Harvest Market in the Welcome Center.
The ticket includes your reserved time slot, a tintype portrait, and access to the Lyndhurst Grounds and the Gothic Harvest Market. It does not include the Mansion admission.
All tour tickets must be purchased online, in advance as space is limited.
Plan Your Trip
The event takes place at the Welcome Center, the brick complex located just past the Lyndhurst mansion. Plan to arrive at the Welcome Center 10 minutes prior to your timed entry.
Accessibility
Lyndhurst welcomes all visitors. Our Welcome Center is ADA-accessible and has restroom facilities.
