Tintype Parlour Captures the Calvert Spirit at The Cookup

At the Calvert Cookup launch party, among the smoky barbecue, cold beers, and country tunes, there was another kind of craft unfolding - one that froze the night in time. Byron Bay’s Tintype Parlour, run by photographer Jaka Adamic, set up his traveling darkroom and offered guests something rare in today’s fast-paced world: a handcrafted portrait made the old-fashioned way.

Using a 19th-century wet plate collodion process, Jaka creates one-of-a-kind photographs known as tintypes. Each image is made on a metal plate coated, exposed, and developed within minutes, right before your eyes. The result? A hauntingly beautiful black-and-silver portrait that looks straight out of the Victorian era - yet somehow timeless.

It was a fitting match for Calvert Supply’s debut - a brand built on heritage, craftsmanship, and authenticity. As live music filled the barn and guests gathered around with Travla beers, Jaka quietly worked his alchemy. Faces dusted with a day outdoors, cowboy hats, denim, and grins - all immortalised in silvery tones that felt like they’d been unearthed from another century.

There’s something special about watching your photo appear right there in the tray. It’s slow, real and feels like a piece of history.

The Tintype Parlour portraits became more than just keepsakes - they captured the spirit of the night itself: rugged, genuine, and grounded in community. Much like Calvert, Jaka’s work celebrates the beauty in imperfection, the value of time-honoured craft and the stories etched into every face.

To see more of Jaka Adamic’s work or book a session, visit byronbaytintypeparlour.com