My name is Lola Alvarez, not to be confused by one of my inspirations Lola Alvarez Bravo. Who once said: “If I became a photographer it’s because I knew about painting, composition, and the handling of light”. Studying in Chelsea school of Art, showed me how to become a painter. Being born and living almost all my life in mountainous Switzerland forged my sense of composition. And now working in the Mediterranean gives me greater understanding of light.

I fell head over heals in love with Tintype around seven years ago. You need loads of passion and dedication, because the process is highly specialized. After many years of studying in NY, assisting great Artist such as Geoff Berliner and Joni Sternbach, I began making my chemicals and shooting Tintype on a mountain top in the Mediterranean. The most powerful moment came, when I took the first portrait of my daughter Eva, all the elements came together and magically captured her quiet intensity and graceful nature. I cried with joy because as a novice the process is constantly humiliating and frustrating. But the small triumphs outweigh all the many disappointments. This is my favorite print not only because it’s one of the first successful Tins but because there is a pure honesty in the composition that reflects her personality.