The Alchemistress Pop-Up
Arts & Culture
MOLLIE Aspen is honored to host acclaimed collodion photographer Lindsey Ross, “The Alchemistress,” for exclusive portrait sessions from Friday, July 18th to Sunday, July 20th, 2025.
This is a rare opportunity to experience a truly unique form of photography and own a timeless piece of art.
Photographer and artist Lindsey Ross creates one of a kind images on metal and glass using the 19th century photographic process, wet plate collodion. This process was employed from the 1850s-1880s to document many historic events including the Civil War and early exploration of the American West.
Wet plate collodion process requires the photographer to have a darkroom on-site. Using 4 different chemical solutions, Lindsey will create the emulsion on a piece of metal or glass, make the exposure and develop the image. This process takes about 15 minutes from start to finish. The portrait sitters will watch the image come to life within a matter of minutes. The resulting portrait is a one of a kind art object which will become an instant heirloom.
Tintypes and ambrotypes render profound and soul bearing portraits. Portrait sitters are encouraged to maintain a natural expression in the photo revealing essential qualities of the person’s character. Often subjects will recognize traits of their ancestors, seeing the smile or gestures reminiscent of relatives.
About Lindsey Ross:
Lindsey Ross is a California-based artist who primarily works with large format photography and the 19th century process, wet-plate collodion. Ross started working in this process in 2011 and she quickly realized it was the ideal format for her artistic practice. The slow pace of collodion requires a presence and intimacy that connects Ross to both the physical and spiritual world.
In 2015, Ross rebuilt a 20x24in process camera from the 1920’s. She had always admired the work of William Henry Jackson and Carleton Watkins, who documented the American West in the same format in the late 19th century. Ross soon found herself documenting the American West as well but from the perspective of a woman in the 21st century.
Two years later, in 2017, Ross had a 32x24in Chamonix View Camera custom built. She wanted to create larger art objects allowing the viewer to step into the environment of the image.
Ross has participated in several artist residencies including Telluride Mountain Film Festival, The Squire Foundation and the Budapest Art Factory. Her work has most recently been exhibited at Andrew Smith Gallery in Tucson, Penumbra Foundation in New York City and Thomas VanDyke Gallery in Brooklyn.
Your Session Details:
During your exclusive session at MOLLIE Aspen, Lindsey Ross will create an 8×10-inch tintype portrait of you. Tintypes are direct positive images, meticulously crafted on metal plates using the same wet-plate collodion process that reigned supreme in photography from the 1850s to the 1880s. Each portrait is a unique, tangible artifact that harkens back to the origins of photography.
The cost for a portrait session is $350, which includes both your finished, physical tintype plate and a high-resolution digital scan for your convenience. After the session, Lindsey will keep the portrait to apply a protective varnish on the emulsion and make a digital scan and ship the plate. The plate and digital scan will be available a couple of days after your session.
Space is limited, and appointments are required. Please reserve your unique portrait experience by purchasing your preferred time slot using the link below. Please check in at the hotel front desk for your appointment.