Ever wondered how you’d look on the wrong side of the law in the 1800s? At this Lambertville, New Jersey studio, you’ll sit for a genuine wet plate collodion tintype mugshot, made with the same hand-poured photographic process used in the nineteenth century. Two exposures are captured on a single 5×7 inch metal plate, one straight on and one in profile, with a measuring tape in the frame for that classic booking look. No digital camera is involved, so the plate you take home is a one-of-a-kind original.

Before your photo is taken, you’ll draw your charge blind from a collection of tongue-in-cheek, period-style misdemeanors prepared by the fictional Coryell’s Ferry Constable’s Office. Your offense might be perfectly reasonable, or it might somehow involve dessert. The charge is recorded on a booking card that comes with your mugshot, and your plate is developed by hand while you wait, so you leave the same day with the full record of your “arrest.” It makes a quirky, memorable gift for history buffs, photography lovers, and anyone with a mischievous streak.

Any restrictions to participate?

• Age: All age groups are welcome.

Who can you accommodate for?

• Children: All participants must pay to participate, children included.
• Pets: Sorry, no pets allowed

What to expect on the day of the experience?

• Duration: 45 minutes.
• What's included: One original 5×7 inch wet plate collodion tintype with two exposures (front and profile), developed by hand in the studio, plus a booking card from the Coryell’s Ferry Constable’s Office listing your randomly drawn charge.
• Who will be present: You will be with the photographer throughout the session, along with any other participants in your booking. Mugshots are made by appointment only.
• Photo/video: Guests are welcome to film the fixing stage, when the image is revealed on the plate.

How to prepare?

• Weather dependency: This is an indoor experience.
• What to wear: The process is sensitive to UV light, so whites, purples, and blues appear lighter on the plate, while reds, yellows, greens, and oranges appear darker. Patterns and textures can photograph in interesting ways.
• What to bring: Optional props or clothing to personalize the portrait

Anything else I should know before going on this experience?

• The studio is located on the 2nd floor at 28 N Union St, Lambertville, NJ 08530.
• Tintypes are black and white only.
• Each tintype is a unique original with no negative or digital file. High-quality scans can be purchased from the studio for an additional fee.
• The charges and the Constable’s Office are fictional and part of the fun.

Unused Experience Vouchers can be returned within 14 days for a full refund to the original purchaser, no questions asked.

If you have any unused Experience Vouchers, you can exchange them for any other experience in our marketplace, free of charge, no matter when. If you choose an experience that's more expensive, you'll need to pay the difference.

No refunds are allowed once the experience is booked, but you can reschedule up to 48 hours before your experience, for a date within a year of the original booking. To reschedule, contact the experience provider directly. No-shows or rescheduling less than 48 hours in advance means losing the value of your experience.