COMMISSIONS & SPATIAL INSTALLATIONS
The Archetypes of the Sitting
The studio approaches portraiture not as a passive digital service, but as an authored, slow-art creation ritual. Built on two decades of theatrical direction, relational intuition, and lighting discipline, every encounter is engineered to produce permanent physical artifacts—tactile works of art built to outlive ephemeral digital feeds and endure across generations.
Every commission begins by establishing how time, space, and optical chemistry behave in the room. The studio operates across two master archetypes: The Long View and This Instant, available as intimate studio sittings or site-specific spatial installations.
Kelechi, 2025
ARCHETYPE I: THE LONG VIEW
6×7 Medium Format & 4×5 Large Format Sheet Film · Archival Monuments
Grounded in optical discipline and dramatic stillness, The Long View is an unhurried visual ritual engineered for generational preservation. Working under the dark cloth of a 4×5 view camera or through the measured cadence of 6×7 roll film, the sitting slows the room to an intentional focus. The resulting works are not transient image files, but museum-grade silver-halide negatives and cotton-rag pigment monuments designed for institutional collections, permanent displays, and family archives.
Willa, 2026
Studio & Field Sittings
Conducted in-studio or on location for single subjects, collaborators, and families. Every sitting culminates in hand-inspected, physical master prints.
THE IMMERSION | $2,200
The studio’s definitive multi-format narrative study, moving fluidly across optical worlds.
Scope: 3.5 hours of dedicated studio or environmental production across multiple setups.
Process: Multi-system study across 6×7 roll film, 4×5 sheet film on large-format view cameras, and physical instant emulsions paired with vintage optics.
Deliverables: Complete proof gallery (60+ studies); 18 finished master plates; one 16×20 exhibition cotton-rag print; one 11×14 archival studio print; 4 physical instant plates exposed and delivered live on set.
THE ESSENCE | $1,800 / $1,200
A slow, disciplined sitting focused on character, quiet presence, and the sculptural majesty of silver halide film.
Scope: 1.5 to 2.5 hours centered on deliberate analog view-camera or medium-format pacing.
Option B (4×5 Large Format View Camera — $1,800): Dedicated 4×5 sheet film study; complete proof gallery (10+ studies); 5 finished master sheet plates; one 16×20 exhibition cotton-rag print; two 11×14 archival studio prints.
Option A (6×7 Medium Format — $1,200): 2 rolls analog film (20 exposures); complete proof gallery (16+ studies); 7 finished master plates; one 11×14 archival studio print.
THE CONTINUUM | $1,000
A fluid study balancing digital medium format and vintage optics with analog film sequences for real-time visual iteration.
Scope: 1.5 hours of active studio portraiture.
Process: High-resolution digital medium format paired with rare vintage lenses, anchored by 120 medium-format analog film sequences.
Deliverables: Complete digital proof gallery (40+ curated studies); 6 finished master plates; one 11×14 hand-inspected archival studio print.
THE CAP & GOWN (Academic Sitting) | $800
Seasonal: April 1 – July 15 · Strictly limited to 12 commissions per season (Valid institutional ID required).
Scope: 60 minutes in-studio or across campus environments.
Process: Digital medium format paired with a full roll of 120 medium-format analog film.
Deliverables: Complete proof gallery (25+ studies); 6 finished master plates; one 11×14 archival studio print.
Spatial Installations & SITE ENVIRONMENTS
High-production studio environments deployed on-site for executive suites, board rosters, and honoree delegations.
The Principal Assembly (Full Day / Event-Length) | $4,800
Scope: Up to 6 hours of continuous installation engineered for comprehensive institutional leadership or event-wide portraiture.
Workflow: Choice of Pure Silver-Halide Analog Film (6×7 / 4×5 view camera) or Medium-Format Digital with real-time directional monitor review.
Production: Complete high-production studio environment, architectural background build, master lighting suite, and dedicated assistant team.
Deliverables: Up to 25 finished master works with unrestricted publication rights; full-resolution digital master archive; The Studio Index Edition (custom archival box set containing physical proof prints of all finished works).
The Keynote & Delegation Sitting (Half Day) | $3,000
Scope: Up to 3 hours of deliberate live installation for featured keynotes, honorees, executive delegations, or private family assemblies.
Workflow: Choice of Pure Silver-Halide Analog Film (6×7 / 4×5 view camera) or Medium-Format Digital with real-time directional monitor review.
Production: Full studio environment, architectural backdrop, directional lighting suite, and primary technical assistant.
Deliverables: Up to 12 finished master works with unrestricted institutional publication rights; full-resolution digital master archive; The Studio Index Edition (custom archival box set containing physical proof prints of all finished works).
Bespoke Field Commissions | Custom Proposal
Tailored proposals for multi-day symposia, national destination retreats, and complex multi-site institutional engagements.
ARCHETYPE II: THIS INSTANT
Marlisse, 2026
Singular Physical Chemistry · Diffusion-Transfer Emulsions · Live Artifacts
Conducted through large-format view cameras, modified medium-format optical rigs, and physical peel-apart chemistry, This Instant is grounded in living presence. Light strikes the chemical pods, transferring an unrepeatable silver-and-dye positive directly onto paper in the presence of the subject. There is no digital negative, no cloud backup, and no second exposure identical to the first. Each piece is a one-of-one physical artifact—tactile, singular, and complete the moment it leaves the processing roller.
Studio & Field Sittings
Conducted in-studio or on location. Culminates in original physical artifacts handed over live on set.
THE ENSEMBLE | $1,500
A comprehensive physical study engineered for patrons seeking a multi-format physical collection.
Scope: 2 to 3 hours of dedicated studio or environmental portraiture.
Process: Large-format view cameras and modified medium-format rigs utilizing full allocations of Instax Wide, Instax Square, or Polaroid Integral emulsions paired with vintage portrait optics.
Deliverables: 18 to 24 original physical instant camera plates rendered and delivered live on set (2 to 3 full film packs); complete high-resolution digital flatbed archive.
THE PROSCENIUM | $900
A focused, wide-aspect instant encounter centered on character, posture, and physical immediacy.
Scope: 90 minutes of deliberate studio portraiture.
Process: Large-format view camera systems utilizing Instax Wide chemistry paired with vintage optics.
Deliverables: 10 original physical instant camera plates exposed and delivered live on set (one full film pack); complete high-resolution transmission and flatbed scan archive.
THE COMMENCEMENT (Academic Sitting) | $550
Seasonal: April 1 – July 15 · Strictly limited to 12 commissions per season (Valid institutional ID required).
Scope: 45 to 60 minutes of focused studio or campus portraiture.
Process: Medium and large-format camera systems utilizing physical instant backs.
Deliverables: 8 original physical instant plates delivered live on set; complete high-resolution digital scan archive.
Spatial Installations & SITE ENVIRONMENTS
Site-specific, high-production portrait environments deployed within museums, private estates, and civic galas.
The Salon Activation (Full Day) | $3,600
Scope: Up to 6 hours of continuous live studio activation.
Capacity & Chemistry: Film stock and production allocation for up to 75 guest sittings (~10–12 sittings per hour).
Production: Complete architectural lighting rig, bespoke background build, large-format optical systems, live chemistry curing bench, and dedicated technical assistant team.
Deliverables: Physical instant artifacts delivered directly to guests on-site; complete high-resolution archival flatbed scan suite and press kit.
The Intimate Assembly (Half Day) | $2,200
Scope: Up to 3 hours of continuous live studio activation.
Capacity & Chemistry: Film stock and production allocation for up to 35 individual or paired guest sittings (~10–12 sittings per hour).
Production: Full studio lighting build, architectural background, optical camera systems, live chemistry station, and primary technical assistant.
Deliverables: Physical instant artifacts delivered to guests on-site as they develop; complete high-resolution host digital archive.
The Repertory Activation (Short-Form / VIP) | $1,500
Scope: Up to 2 hours of continuous live studio activation.
Capacity & Chemistry: Film stock and production allocation for up to 20 individual or paired guest sittings (yielding 20 original physical artifacts).
Production: Compact vintage optical rig, focused directional lighting suite, live chemistry curing station, and primary technical assistant.
Deliverables: Physical instant artifacts delivered to guests on-site as they develop; high-resolution digital flatbed scans delivered in a post-event host archive.
RECOGNIZED SCOPES & ENVIRONMENTS
The studio accepts commissions across five primary institutional and civic environments:
Museum & Cultural Galas: Live-chemistry installations, interactive portrait salons, and mobile darkroom deployments executed on-site.
Civic & Foundation Anniversaries: Monumental archival documentation of community stewards, honorees, trustees, and visionary leadership.
Private Estate & Architectural Gatherings: Bespoke portrait environments staged within historic residences and landscape grounds.
Institutional Rosters & Leadership Assemblies: High-production builds for organizational cabinets, academic faculties, visiting fellows, and boards of directors.
Benefit & Community Installations: Underwritten on-site deployments where session proceeds or print editions directly support civic campaigns and non-profit initiatives.
The FIRE Community Portrait Session at Mixed Magic Theatre, 2026
PACING, PROOFING & PHYSICAL DELIVERABLES
Guided by the discipline of Artifact Evangelism, a commission is incomplete until it exists as a physical object in space.
Digital Proofing Timelines: Initial proofing archives are delivered digitally for selection:
Digital Medium Format & Instant Sittings: Proof gallery delivered within 5 to 7 business days.
6×7 Medium Format & 4×5 Sheet Film: Contact proof gallery delivered within 10 to 14 business days.
Physical Master Deliverables: Final master plates, exhibition cotton-rag prints, and The Studio Index Editions are hand-inspected and ship within 10 business days following client selection.
FOR THE CULTURE | ENDOWED INITIATIVES & GRANTS
Through private studio allocation and patron underwriting, the studio maintains three endowed initiatives operating outside commercial booking to ensure physical craft and collective memory remain accessible to community sanctuaries.
THE RICARDO & BERNADET PITTS-WILEY COMMUNITY PORTRAIT GRANT
Monthly Endowed Sittings & Archival Commissions (Valued up to $1,200)
Named in honor of Ricardo and Bernadet Pitts-Wiley—theater artists, community activists, and cultural stewards who dedicated their lives to community-centered art—this initiative fully endows one master sitting each month for an independent artist, grassroots organizer, or cultural leader actively serving their community.
Recipients choose between The Essence (Option A), The Continuum, or The Proscenium, receiving dedicated studio pacing, retouched master files, and complete physical deliverables at zero cost. Sittings are awarded based on missional alignment and studio calendar availability.
— APPLY FOR THE PITTS-WILEY COMMUNITY PORTRAIT GRANT
— ENDOW a PITTS-WILEY COMMUNITY portrait grant
THE MAKEDA CIVIC ACTIVATION GRANT
Subsidized Spatial Installations & Mobile Darkroom Residencies
Established to bring high-production optical craft, live-chemistry processing, and unrepeatable physical artifacts into community sanctuaries, grassroots organizations, and cultural spaces. Because optical chemistry, technical labor, and darkroom hardware demand hard material investment, this initiative does not provide pro-bono services. Instead, the grant co-underwrites the engagement—applying patron endowment funds directly against studio production overhead to offer deeply subsidized host co-investment rates for community gatherings.
The Intimate Assembly (Subsidized Tier): $1,100 Host Co-Investment (50% underwritten against standard $2,200 commission; up to 3 hours / 35 physical sittings)
The Repertory Activation (Subsidized Tier): $750 Host Co-Investment (50% underwritten against standard $1,500 commission; up to 2 hours / 20 physical sittings)
Awarded bi-annually through missional review and site feasibility. Sponsoring patrons may also fully endow a host organization's co-investment.
— APPLY FOR A MAKEDA ACTIVATION GRANT
— ENDOW A MAKEDA CIVIC ACTIVATION
THE MARY DEAN WILEY SCHOLAR PORTRAIT GRANT
Seasonal Academic Sittings & Archival Awards · Cycles: April 1 – July 15
Named in honor of Mary Dean Wiley—a lifelong advocate for higher education whose home served as a physical archive of family and community achievement—this initiative fully endows master academic sittings for scholars from historically underrepresented, systemically marginalized, and first-generation backgrounds.
Dual Scholar Endowment: $1,600 (Underwrites two graduating scholars)
Single Scholar Endowment: $800 (Underwrites one graduating scholar)
Seasonal applications and patron underwriting close strictly on March 1. Unassigned capacity reverts to standard public booking on April 1.
— APPLY FOR A mary dean wiley portrait grant
— ENDOW a mary dean wiley portrait grant
PRODUCTION ENHANCEMENTS & LOGISTICS
Multi-Subject & Family Expansions
To preserve the deliberate focus of each sitting, base commissions cover one primary subject. Additional subjects may be included under the following multiplier framework:
Two Subjects: 1.3× base commission
Three Subjects: 1.5× base commission
Four Subjects: 1.75× base commission
Five or More Subjects: Custom group commission proposal
Master Plate & Film Additions
Additional Finished 4×5 Master Sheet Plate: $150 per plate (view-camera capture & master retouching)
120 Roll Film Allocation (Medium Format): $125 per roll (includes emulsion stock, laboratory chemistry processing, and high-resolution master digital scans)
Additional Finished Master Plate: $85 per plate (includes personal archival license)
Archival Studio Prints
Hand-inspected, museum-grade works printed on 100% cotton rag with archival pigment inks.
16×20 / 16×24 Exhibition Archival Print: $380
11×14 / 12×18 Archival Studio Print: $210
8×10 / 8×12 Archival Studio Print: $125
Custom Studio Framing: Quoted individually upon dimension and moulding selection.
Studio Coordinates & Operational Range
Primary Studio Base: Providence, Rhode Island
Regional Engagements: Deployments beyond 25 miles of Providence billed at $0.65 per mile (roundtrip).
National & Destination Engagements: Quoted individually with a comprehensive flat production travel rider.
SITTINGS & INQUIRIES
Sittings are scheduled by advance appointment. Due to analog chemistry preparation and dedicated studio pacing, sitting availability is strictly limited per season.