Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ricky Willis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ricky, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.
I don’t know if it’s exactly the ‘industry standard,’ but digital photography is definitely the norm these days. When you book a digital session, you’re probably looking at hundreds of photos from just an hour-long shoot. It’s fast, it’s easy, but it’s not exactly personal. With tintype photography, it’s a completely different vibe. It’s slow, intentional, and every plate takes about 15-20 minutes to create. You might only walk away with 3 photos, but those photos are special. They’re heirlooms, real, tangible pieces of art that are built to last. It’s about quality over quantity, and that’s something I really stand by. Those photos will be around for years, passed down, and remembered. That’s why it matters to me.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name’s Ricky Willis, I’m 35, and my life in the creative world has been a wild ride. From traveling the world documenting a family world schooling their kids, to being a full time videographer for a major hip hop artist, and now diving into the unique world of tintype photography, I’ve been lucky to meet and work with some truly interesting people. Whether it was making music videos or short documentaries, or now creating these one of a kind tintype photos, I’ve always strived to create work that’ll outlast me and be something people can look back on.
With tintype photography, I offer one-of-a-kind photos on aluminum and glass plates almost exactly how it was done in the 1800s, but with modern strobe lights. This way, my clients don’t have to hold still for long periods, we get instant exposures, and they still walk away with plates that will last for generations. What sets me apart in photography is that I offer this slow, old process. But even more than that, what really makes me different in the wet plate community is my passion and drive. Even though I’ve only been shooting this for just over a year, there’s no limit to what I’ll do to make the perfect shot, whether it’s hauling equipment to a remote spot for one photo or collaborating with a client to try new techniques like double exposures or split images on a single plate.
What I’m most proud of is how much I’ve grown over this past year. I’m always learning new techniques and troubleshooting, but the best part is seeing the photos I create for clients, knowing they’ll cherish and pass them on. It’s that connection and passion for the process that truly sets me apart.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
The decision to start doing tintype photography was a huge pivot for me. My background has always been in video work, and that’s how I made a living. I landed my dream job traveling the world, and then worked with an artist I’d always admired. But after a while, I started feeling burnt out from making video content for other people.
It was during one of my wife’s first vintage pop-ups, where she runs her own shop, Knockout Vintage, that I stumbled upon tintype photography. There was a guy there making tintypes, and after talking with him, he gave us a behind-the-scenes look and let us sit in on a session. Watching the plate being made for the first time completely hooked me. I knew I wanted to make photos like that and share the process with others.
But I couldn’t just dive in right away—none of my gear would work for tintype. So, I spent almost three years researching and planning while I was still working in video and feeling burnt out. Then, last year, I finally made the jump, got the gear I needed, and hit the ground running. It honestly felt like an overnight pivot, but it was the start of me chasing this new big dream of mine.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
My journey on social media has been a slow, organic rollercoaster. I’ve always just shared what I’m interested in, and that’s gained me a really cool, natural following. I started my IG back in 2012, and I’ve posted about everything—from skateboarding and world travel to music, and now tintypes. It’s been amazing to see people stick with me through different seasons of life. Some of the folks who followed me when I was solo traveling in my van are now watching me make tintypes and even sitting in front of my old camera for a photo.
On Instagram, I’ve always mixed my personal life with my business side, and that’s been true to who I am. With TikTok, I’ve been focused solely on my tintype work, and it’s been interesting to see what resonates there. My advice for anyone just starting out is simple: just be yourself. People will gravitate toward what you’re doing, and you’ll build a following of folks who grow with you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rickyxwillis.com
- Instagram: rickyxwillis
- Other: tik tok @prettyxricky
Image Credits
All photos are mine and I have the rights to use all images provided