Tokeland Hotel Tintype Pop-up: May 10-11, 2025

On Saturday and Sunday, May 10th and 11th, 2025 I will be popping up my tintype darkroom at the historic Tokeland Hotel in honor of Mother’s day! The Tokeland hotel is located at 2964 Kindred Ave, Tokeland, WA.

Tintype is a photographic process invented in the 1860’s which involves the photographer (that’s me, Ashley!) coating an aluminum plate in chemicals, sensitizing that plate to light in a silver bath, and then photographing the subject with that still-wet plate before it dries. I then take the plate back into my little portable darkroom and process the image on the spot! This is the most special way to have your photograph made, and the experience of observing a historical process is part of the fun. And, your tintype will last 200-300 years… a true heirloom for your family.

My intention is, weather depending, to set up the camera out on the lawn/grounds and to make beautiful, natural light portraits. There are many beautiful backdrops around the hotel, and natural light tintypes have the dreamiest quality to them! If the weather is sunny or overcast without rain, we will make these natural light portraits outside, and the exposure times will likely be between 5-8 seconds. Check out some of the images above from my last natural light event at Tokeland to see how they’ll look! If you have kids or dogs you’ll want to include, consider whether they’ll be able to sit still for 5-8 seconds. There’s a reason you don’t see many crisp photos of kids aged 2-8 or animals in historical photos! (; I can accommodate large groups in natural light photos.

If the weather is rainy or threatens rain, I’ll set up a lighting studio inside the hotel which will enable “normal”, quick exposures. These photos are still beautiful, just sharper and a bit more modern looking. I can only accommodate families of 4 in these indoor tintypes, and the closer you can get to each other, the better it will look!

Pricing below includes one 5x7 inch tintype, but you’re welcome to choose to “upgrade” your tintype to a larger size by selecting one of the upgrade options. The 5x7 aspect ratio is ideal for singles and doubles (although we can make a horizontal plate to accommodate more people), and the 8x10 tintype aspect ratio is suited for singles, doubles, and small groups/families. Your appointment will last about 20 minutes! If you would like to upgrade to an 8x10 inch tintype, you may either pay up front by selecting the “add-ons” below, or plan to upgrade the day of your appointment with cash, venmo or paypal. Your cost includes shipping, so be sure to provide your mailing address when checking out.

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. it usually takes 1-2 weeks for tintypes to be mailed out.

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.