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Thursday 10am - 6pm Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday 11am - 7pm

Penumbra Tintype Portrait Studio

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United States
New York, NY
Penumbra Tintype Portrait Studio

New York City's own Penumbra Tintype Portrait Studio - A contemporary take on the 19th century wet plate collodion tintype portrait studio.

Conveniently located in the heart of midtown Manhattan, the Penumbra foundation is bringing back the historic practice of wet plate tintype portraiture 159 years after its invention. For a list of all tintype sessions we offer and to book an appointment online visit: www.penumbrafoundation.org/tintype-studio

The studio is open for sessions from 11:00am to 5:00pm, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and 12pm to 6:00pm on Saturday.

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To arrange appointments for dates not listed or for special requests email [email protected]. If you need assistance or have any questions, please call 917-288-0343 or email [email protected].

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Considered by many the Polaroid of the 19th century, the tintype is made near-instantaneously through a process executed entirely by hand on a sheet of metal using raw chemicals. Tintypes were passed down as family heirlooms and valued for their time-tested archival stability, often found today in near immaculate condition. At the Penumbra Tintype Portrait studio, you now have the opportunity to have an heirloom of your very own personal history to share with family and friends! In less than the time it takes to watch a basic cable sitcom, visitors will have their portrait taken and leave with a unique, one-of-a-kind object to be enjoyed for many years to come; ready to be passed down as were the tintypes of the 1800’s. We use period-authentic methods, materials and equipment including original cameras and lenses.

11/08/2026

We had two beautiful fall days at Michael Arenella’s Autumn edition. Here are some highlights taken by Sam Dole (Sam Dole). 🎺🍂

11/07/2026

Stop by the Penumbra Tintype Studio booth at Jazz Age’s autumn edition on Governors Island TODAY & TOMORROW, 11/7 & 11/8, and have your portrait taken in one of the earliest photographic processes!

There are a limited number of sessions available this weekend, so we encourage you to stop by our booth as you enter.

All proceeds from this weekend’s tintype sessions support Penumbra Foundation’s nonprofit public and artistic programs—a chance to take home a unique memento, while supporting the photographic arts.

We hope you consider getting your portrait made with us this weekend! Any questions—drop them down below 👇

06/12/2026

We’ll be Michael Arenella this weekend on Governors Island offering 4x5 & 5x7 tintype portraits at our special festival pricing!

+ Slots are first-come, first-served, so make sure to stop by our booth early to reserve a session. See you there! 🎺🕺🪩

05/22/2026

One of the highlights from 2026–a collaborative tintype of wearing the VR headset ⭐️

08/16/2025

Swipe to check out some of the plates we made weekend two! Big thanks to our incredible team and we can’t wait to see you next year ❤️

07/03/2025

☀️ Summer bookings are open for July & August! To make an appointment or redeem a gift card, tap the link in bio.

Featuring: a solo portrait made by studio photographer Sam Dole () during our June sessions.

06/22/2025

Between sessions at closing weekend, Gerald Daclin () captured this superb plate of studio photographer Sam Dole () in front of the Manhattan Bridge. Gerald first learned wet plate with Sam at Penumbra a few years back and has been a vital part of our tintype team ever since—a truly full circle moment!

Shoutout to the rest of our amazing team— on assist, on plate prep, and all of the volunteers who made this year possible. We could not have done it without you ❤️❤️❤️

06/18/2025

05/14/2025

A couple of this past weekend’s tintypes taken by Sam Dole () ❤️

Thanks to everyone who stopped by! We’ll be dropping June sessions soon—stay tuned 🗓️

05/04/2025

be with you & happy ! 🌌 sharing this killer themed plate of holding by Sam Dole ().

Star Wars fans—Comment below if you know the names of the characters they’re dressed as 👇

Address

36 E 30th Street
New York, NY
10016

Opening Hours

Thursday	10am - 6pm
Friday	10am - 6pm
Saturday	11am - 7pm

Website

http://www.penumbrafoundation.org/

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