Studio Fotín

John Kelly

During our month in Buenos Aires, my wife and I spent hours wandering the famous Sunday flea market in San Telmo, keeping a lookout for worthwhile souvenirs. But it was a few blocks off the beaten path that we found Studio Fotín and the pair glass portraits that now remind us of Argentina. I had never sat for a portrait before — unless you count shopping mall sessions with my parents back in the eighties. This was much more fun than that. Meghan and Juan, both talented photographers, invited us into their studio and, over espressos and good music, explained their photographic process. A glass plate would need to be prepared and slid into the camera. We would have to hold absolutely still during the five-second exposure. In the darkroom, we could then watch a chemical bath bring our image to life. As they explained things, I browsed their collection of ambrotypes. I had never seen one before, and I was struck by their antique appearance and the faint chemical swirls at the edges — perfect little imperfections. These days, five seconds is about how long it takes to snap a picture and upload it for the world to see. At Studio Fotín, five seconds is how long it took for the camera shutter to open and to close once. The process was slow and deliberate; each picture felt important. For us, the end result — irreplaceable glass portraits and a handful of prints — make timeless souvenirs. I highly recommend Studio Fotín to anyone looking for a very cool experience and a unique portrait.

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