Written By Melissa Reardon
Photographs By Lucy Cuneo
A transplant from Virginia, Weston “Wes” McAfee vividly remembers the first time he saw his future bride-to-be. Charleston native Dana Elaine...
In this Instagram age, choosing a filter to make your photo look fab is nearly as consuming as capturing that special moment. And losing said image (or just moving on to the next one) is just part of the digital age. That is, unless you turn to Christine Eadie, aka the Charleston Tintypist (www.CharlestonTintypist.com; 843/709-5347), a photographer who creates tintype images that stand the test of time.
Invented in 1855 and all the rage by the 1860s, tintypes consist of thin, black enameled metal plates upon which images are transferred. The photos can be passed from generation to generation without fear of fading or damage. As unique as a Polaroid, each is one-of-a-kind and distinctive due to the chemical reactions involved.
“Many people say that if you make a picture in color, you look at the clothes,” says Christine, “but if you make a tintype, you see the soul.”
Couples can enlist Christine in several ways. While she welcomes pre- and post-wedding portrait sessions, she can also transfer modern images (like engagement shots and announcement images) to tintype. Want to get even more interactive? Book her new tintype photo booth for your reception. Packages range from $1,000-$2,000 and include 10 to 24 tintypes, perfect for family and wedding party portraits.
Photograph by Christine Eadie
