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"CALIFORNIA STOP: UV Photographics"

As a tintype photographer, I felt I HAD to make a stop by a very important place to visit a very important person. As you might know, tintype photography is a process that relies on very specific chemical components. Over the years, Brian, the owner of UV Photographics, ahs worked tirelessly to help supply tintypists from all over the world the right chemicals, as well as primo pre-mixed collodion recipes, glassware, and other crucially vital equipment. His collodion recipe, "No. Z," has now become my favorite when working with strobes. I know a prominent tintypist who has told me, "If Brian ever stops, I don't know what I'll do...'No. Z' is my go-to collodion!"

Brian was gracious enough to spend 2.5 hours with me, talk about all things tintype/wet plate photography, share stories, and yes, I even made him autograph a freshly-poured bottle of silver collodion (I thinkthat was a first,m he thought it was pretty funny). A ridiculously intelligent, expertly knowleageable expert of his craft, and supremely humble person, he was a blast to spend time with. I know that most folks who aren't tintypists may not resonate with this, but as a tintype geek, I nerded out over meeting Brian. Looking forward to next year's visit! He, too, is on Instagram: @uvphotographics

"CALIFORNIA GIG: 'Blackthorn Leather'"

I made a stop by Blackthorn Leather, headquartered in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains in Southern California. Andy, the owner/'leather magician,' has been a very big supporter of my anti-human trafficking endeavors over the years, and I wanted to gift him with a tintype as a 'thank you,' and to finally actually meet him in person.

We had a great time in his workshop where the leather craftsmanship happens, and we came away with a really fun image. I have several Blackthorn Leather pieces, as well as a couple t-shirts, and I couldn't recommend him highly enough if you need anything made or see something you like in his online store. Am I only recommending him because he's my friend? Nope. I wouldn't recommend him if he wasn't good. He's not just good...he's exceptional. and his leatherwork is pretty great, too! :)Find him on his Instagram: @blackthornleather, and reach his website from there as well. Tell him Rawhide sent ya.

"CALIFORNIA GIG: 'UNCOMMON [GOOD]' CHURCH"

I had the distinct honor of visiting my friends' church in Poway, California, and introducing them to the world of tintype photography. We took a handful of images, and had an exceptional time. What a great group of people! From toddlers to the more 'seasoned' in age - including doggoes! - it was a great visit.

What I love about this visit - in addition to it just being an amazing time - is that this group of beautiful souls will have a super unique, one-of-a-kind 8x10 handcrafted tintype of their group, from that specific moment, on that day, from this year...and they can hang it up, frame it, not frame it, hold it, pass it around, whatever they want...and it's THEIRS. What a privilege to take their photo on metal and silver! If you are ever in that area of the world and want a solid church to visit, you can find them pretty easily. Here's their Instagram: @uncommongoodsd

"BY POPULAR REQUEST: MR. BIGGS"

Mr. Biggs is my trusty buddy and travel companion. He's a pure, ferociously savage, 100% black panther, as these photos obviously show. He was not "expected," as he was a gift from a very good friend who thought I was too lonely up on my mountain here in Montana, and needed a buddy. Well, Biggs has now traveled through 10 states and over 25,000 miles with me in the last 19 months. I built him his very own platform in the back of the truck cab, and he has his scratching post/happy chill spot in the front seat, and he LOVES the back camper area. His nickname is "Buster NcScruggins," most likely derived from his notable Irish/Scottish ancestry.

Like I said, I didn't plan on Mr. Biggs, as I was just starting out on this tintype photography journey, and knew that it would literally be a "journey!" Going all over our beautiful state of Montana as well as the rest of the country, a pet wasn't exactly an ideal choice, at least not until I knew what this journey would look like. But, here came Mr. Biggs, and how could I turn him away after seeing that face? Thankfully, he LOVES road trips and is the most chill, spectacularly fun little panther son a guy could have. He loves where we call "home" in the mountains of NW Montana, but he doesn't seem to miss it at all when we're on the road. He's a fantastic little dude. You can find him on Instagram: @mr.biggs.official

"2026 WEST COAST WORLD TOUR"

Late September of 2026, I started out on my first annual "World Tour." This year I focused on heading down to the West Coast. I started. in Montana, down through Utah, Las Vegas, San Diego, and am at the time of writing and posting this will be making my way up through Northern California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho...Ending up back home in Montana sometime in December. Yes, I know that this doesn't REALLY constitute a "world tour," but I love that it's the "West Coast World Tour." It's a silly name :) So far I have been able to do tintype gigs along the way, visit family and friends, and dial in my "on-the-road" living accomodations in my fantastic Radica "Moonlander X" camper topper rig. Mr. Biggs and I sleep quite well on the super-comfy Hest mattress, and we have a fridge, our air fryer, and (almost) all the comforts of home, while not looking like we have a true "camper" on the back of the truck. It's fantastic. We've even been able to enjoy camping in some beautiful locations!

I chose to have a mobile studio like this specifically to accomodate this type of trip, which will take place in different parts of the country each year. It also allows me to take my tintype business to different markets & festivals across Montana and the country, as well as be able to service local customers who want authentic, handcrafted tintypes. I am able to bring my studio to them, and create images in locations other photographers can't or choose not to go. It helps that on these longer trips I bring my trusty tintype assistant, Mr. Biggs the Cat, to keep me company and help navigate. Oftentimes, when I get really tired, he takes the wheel and I'm able to take a quick cat nap. Truly a team effort!

"PRIVATE EVENT - SOUTHERN UTAH"

In early October of 2026, I assisted one of my tintype heroes, Blake Wylie from Nashville, Tennessee, with a very special private event in Southern Utah. Unfortunately, because of NDA privacy agreements, I can't say much about the event other than it was a fantastic time where we were quite busy creating tintypes for all the guests. We had many, many happy tintype subjects, and my head didn't hit the pillow until well after 4:00am the next morning. Special thanks to Greg, the bartender, for keeping me stocked up with ice cold sodas throughout the night to keep me going.

The space I was working in was quite challenging due to terrain and dust, but thankfully Blake had the best spot, photographing the guests on the deck. I have long admired Blake's photography, and have appreciated his advice and friendship over the past year. Getting to know him has been a true joy. When he reached out to ask if I'd be interested in assisting on this job, I immediately said 'Yes!' It isn't everyday one of your photography heroes reaches out like that! We were even able to go out into the Utah desert to do a little tintype landscape photography (image on right). Blake has been doing tintype photography for well over a decade, and has had his work appear in just about every media format. Blake is what happens when you combine great photography with an even greater human being. Check out his Instagram: @blakew

"PARTY AT THE PEN - WEST COAST"

I assisted tintypist Joeseph Wyman at a fantastic event down at the old Idaho State Penitentiary in Boise, Idaho in September of 2026, called "Party at the Pen." Our intrepid team of 4 were working overtime to get as many tintypes for people as possible! Joe, who lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is one of the best tintypists out there today, and it was an honor & a priviledge to work with him. (Photo: our team: me, Alex, Joe, and Brent. Photo by Joe, with assistance by a brave customer, Chris :)

The space we shot in was actually an old cell block in the penitentiary, and it was full of so much character. You could just feel the history in the walls, the chipping paint, and the heavy steel doors. If you like motorcycles, food trucks, crowds and just plain good fun, get yourself down to next year's shindig. And, make sure you stop in and take a tintype with Joe. He's truly a one-of-a-kind artist. And Joe is also the answer to an obscure yet crucial trivia question: "Who is the only photographer to have ever captured WIllie Nelson and Kermit the Frog in the same portrait?" That would be Joe. It's worth a moment to google. You're welcome! Check out his Instagram: @josephwymanphoto