Mill Creek Market Mother’s Day Tintype Pop-Up

This year, for Mother’s day, I’m stepping out of the photo studio, slowing down my appointments a bit, and will be embracing the historical practice of natural light, long exposure photography. I hope you will join me to create true heirlooms for your family: a tangible photographic representation of your love. Your appointment will include two handmade tintype photographs: one large, and one tiny.

I lost my mother many years ago, and am myself a childless woman by choice, but I spend a lot of time observing and revering the mother figures in my life. I am captivated by the calm connection that women seem to feel with their children, and while I may never experience it myself, creating photographs makes me feel a part of this beautiful, tender part of life. I wish i had a tintype with my mama, and I want to make one for you.

A few miles down the road from Portland is a tiny town called Aurora, Oregon. Originally founded as a religious commune in the 1850’s (exactly when this tintype process was being invented), the town is now a rather idyllic row of white-washed farmhouse buildings, incredible antique stores, and cute cafes. And right in the heart of downtown, surrounded by cherry blossom trees and flower beds, is a brand new Antique Shop in a historic home called Mill Creek Market. These folks are incredible curators of both vintage and flowers, and also own and operate Honeymoon Farms right down the road. I’m so excited to be using their pretty outdoor space for a mother’s day event, and to incorporate a custom flower installation into our tintype portraits.

This tintype event will be a bit different than previous pop-ups! Here’s what you can expect:

-Each appointment will last 30 minutes and will cost $180.

-Each appointment will include one 8x10 inch natural light tintype, as well as one tiny 35mm locket-sized tintype which you can carefully cut to fit any standard sized locket. I won’t be offering my normal range of size options for this event.

-Instead of high powered studio lights that make quick exposures, we will be using natural light for these portraits (weather permitting). This can mean exposure times between 4-10 seconds, depending upon the light and weather. Because of the long exposure, these tintypes are rarely perfectly sharp. Embrace the softness as part of the beauty of the result. We will use one of the historic buildings on the property for a rustic, timeless background.

-There will be a custom, beautiful floral element included in the photos, styled by Honeymoon Farms.

-There will be antique lockets for sale from Decades Vintage Company in case you’d like to shop for one to put your tintype in, or bring your own and I’ll tailor your tiny tintype to fit! A tiny lock of your loved one’s hair or pressed flower are romantic Victorian counterparts to your locket tintype.

-You’re welcome to include as many folks as you’d like in your photos, but the floral element will be perfectly suited for 1-2 adults or a small family. Please think carefully about whether your kids will be able to make a photo like this possible. Ten seconds of sitting still is often fine for sleepy babies, but can seem impossible for five year olds. You know your kiddos… if they might have trouble with sitting still or being patient, a future studio portrait session might be better for you! Bring bribes… kids can usually hang for longer if they are looking forward to a treat.

-Mothers are obviously welcome and encouraged, but this event is open to all. It would be a romantic couple’s or solo session as well.

-If you’d like a photograph breast feeding your baby, I’d be honored to make that photo for you. There may be passer-by, so be advised that while our space is hidden from the main road, it might not be completely private.

Please note: you will be able to watch the tintype develop and take photos, but you won’t take your tintype home the day of the pop-up. It will need to wash and be scanned (a scan is included in the cost!) and varnished. If you would prefer to pick your tintype up when it’s ready, it usually takes 1-2 weeks. If you’d like me to mail it, be sure to add on shipping when you check out! Shipping is not included in the initial cost.

Please also note: due to limited appointments, my ability to reschedule appointments becomes limited as the spots fill. Please be sure you can make it to the appointment you choose, as I can’t offer rescheduling options for future popup dates.