History Reborn

Creating Heirlooms Forged in Silver by Sunlight

Black and white photo of a family of three standing in a natural outdoor setting with tall grass and leafy trees, the mother holding a baby, and the father standing behind them, looking serious.
“We are the witnesses through which the universe becomes conscious of its’ glory.”
— Alan Watts
Tintype Portrait Sessions

What is a Tintype?

Invented in the 1850’s, Tintypes were the first prominent form of photography. They exploded in popularity during the American Civil War by democratizing what had been an elite luxury.

Forged in silver by sunlight, they are created by pouring light-sensitive solution onto thin metal plates and exposing them in a camera. The wet-collodion process creates a haunting reversal image with rich tonal depth. Each plate is a singular, imperfect image that cannot be reprinted.

Today, in an age of endless digital images, tintypes feel magical. Their slow, hands-on ritual and tangible authenticity deliver a soulful presence no pixel can match - flawed, unrepeatable and forever alive with character, they become heirlooms of a modern life preserved with an ancient soul.

A black and white photograph of a woman standing outdoors under a canopy of trees with blurred light filtering through the leaves. She is wearing a patterned dress and has her hands clasped in front of her.
Black and white photograph of a man with a beard and long hair holding a woman with long hair in a close embrace. The woman is sitting and the man is standing, with high contrast lighting emphasizing their profiles.
Black and white photograph of a young woman with long hair and freckles, resting her chin on her hands and looking directly at the camera.
A black and white photograph of an elderly woman in traditional fashion, with her hair styled in a bun, dressed in a plaid shirt. She is looking to her left with a serious expression.
A man sitting on a motorcycle inside a large, spherical, woven structure, viewed through an opening in the structure. The structure appears to be made of lattice and natural materials.
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Black and white photo of a man with curly hair and beard, wearing a white shirt, standing behind a woman with curly hair, large earrings, and a necklace, both looking at the camera, with the woman resting her hand on the man's shoulder.
Black and white photograph of a woman with long wavy hair wearing a wide-brimmed hat and holding a lace fan, standing outdoors among tall grass or wheat. The image has a vintage or artistic style.
Black and white photograph of a woman with long wavy hair, wearing earrings, a patterned top, and a sweater. She is smiling slightly, with her arms crossed, holding a pair of glasses and wearing rings. The image has a vintage, slightly worn appearanc
Black and white portrait of a young man with styled hair, dressed in ornate traditional clothing with embroidered details and a bow tie.
A black and white photograph of a smiling man with glasses, wearing a jacket, holding a dog with a bandana around its neck. The dog is sitting on a flat surface, and the man has his arm around it.
Black and white photo of a young man with dark hair and beard, a woman with wavy blonde hair, and a Dalmatian dog, standing outdoors in a forest with leafless trees and tall grass.
A black and white vintage photograph of a young woman with long, wavy hair, wearing a lace top and a choker necklace, looking directly at the camera.
Black and white portrait of two men in formal attire, one holding a telephone, with the man on the right wearing a tuxedo with a bow tie and the man on the left wearing a suit with a bow tie.
A black and white vintage photograph of a woman with short hair holding a sleeping baby in her arms.
Black and white photo of a young man and woman posing together. The man is smiling, holding a balloon, and wearing a watch. The woman has long hair, freckles, and is wearing lace clothing, leaning on the man's shoulder.
A black and white photograph of a woman standing behind a seated man, both nude. The woman has long, wavy hair and tattoos on her arm, and she is looking directly at the camera with a slight smile. The man has long, curly hair and a serious expressio

Digital Tintypes

Authentic Silver Tintypes from Your Digital Photographs

Tintypes From Your Smartphone

Digital Tintypes
Close-up of a person's hand holding a smartphone displaying a photo of a young boy with face paint and a butterfly design, outdoors near trees.
Close-up of a person's hand holding a smartphone displaying a photo of a young boy with face paint and a butterfly design, outdoors near trees.
A reflective surface, like a mirror or metallic panel, on a cart in a dimly lit room illuminated by red light, with a person's legs visible at the bottom of the image.
A reflective surface, like a mirror or metallic panel, on a cart in a dimly lit room illuminated by red light, with a person's legs visible at the bottom of the image.
Black and white photograph of a young boy with a butterfly on his face, holding a stick, outdoors with trees in the background.
Black and white photograph of a young boy with a butterfly on his face, holding a stick, outdoors with trees in the background.

The Photographic Van

Mobile Tintype Studio and Darkroom

A white van parked in a forest with tall trees featuring autumn foliage, orange leaves, and scattered fallen leaves on the ground.

  • Wedding Receptions

  • Corporate Events

  • At-Home Family Portraits

  • Random Pop-Up Events

More Information
A black and white portrait of a man with a beard, dressed in a dark shirt and cap with glasses resting on top, looking directly at the camera.

Meet the Photographer

According to Grok:

Patrick Cavan Brown is an award-winning documentary, editorial, and humanitarian photographer known for his intimate, story-driven images that explore culture, community, and the human resilience of people and places often overlooked.

Blending documentary rigor with a poetic eye, Brown also revives the 19th-century tintype process through his Tintype Company, fusing historical craft with contemporary narratives. His work reflects a lifelong curiosity about place, belonging, and the enduring human spirit.

Documentary Portfolio

  • "Hands down the best experience of my life! Patrick was so welcoming to myself and my husband. His passion for his work definitely shows! We will treasure these photos for the rest of our lives.

    • Kristin H.

  • "Wow! What a phenomenal experience! Sometimes you meet a really genuine person and it just transfers to their work. We absolutely love our tintypes."

    • Grace W.

  • "My fiancé and I had the BEST time getting our engagement photos done with Patrick! He took time to educate us on the inner workings of the camera, the photography process, and the development process. He was so kind and welcoming - he made the entire day so much fun. "

    • Andrea S.

  • "Patrick photographed my husband and I the morning after our wedding. The attention to detail, the warm and friendly interaction - we felt like we were hanging with a friend! This was truly the most wonderful experience for our first day as Husband and Wife and would 13/10 do it again."

    • Kira C.

  • "I took maternity photos with Patrick last summer when I was 9 months pregnant - the experience and results were incredible! I wanted to do something unique and artistic and Patrick was the perfect photographer to work with. He had so many ideas and helped me make memories that are now family heirlooms! I cherish my photos more than I can describe."

    • Jayne G.

  • "Hands down one of the coolest experiences ever, & that’s all thanks to Patrick! He is so welcoming, fun, knowledgeable, & his passion for his art just radiates. This was the first thing my husband & I wanted to do for our honeymoon & I cannot recommend him enough."

    • Joslyn S.