The tradition of family portraits
I remember visiting my grandparents as a child and seeing heirloom portraits of my father and his little brother hanging above my great grandmother’s cedar chest in the hallway upstairs. I looked in wonder at the images of my father as a baby and as a toddler. It felt even more magical to see my own young face in his.
Those same heirloom portraits now hang in my father’s home next to photographs of myself and my own brother. So now, when my family visits him, my own children can see their young faces in these same timeless moments.
This visual proof of familial continuity is a gift we will always treasure.
Heirloom Portraits are more than just artwork on your walls
Frame by frame, the walls of your home tell the unique story of your family. An oil painting purchased on your honeymoon, a snapshot from a multi-generational reunion, your child’s latest construction paper masterpiece, a map of your great-grandparents’ homeland…
There is no better addition to your family’s tapestry than a studio heirloom portrait. More than a photograph, an heirloom portrait is a work of art that evokes a sense of lineage and history. Sparking emotion and nostalgia, an heirloom portrait documents your child’s personality for generations to come.
What makes heirloom portraits so classically unique?
Heirloom portraits are a unique blend of art and memory. Carefully controlled studio lighting allows me to highlight every tiny perfect detail of your child’s features and expressions. The result is a timeless keepsake that captures a fleeting moment in your child’s life.
Clean lines, neutral palettes, and simplicity also make these portraits ideal for any room, any style, any aesthetic, and any generation. What’s not to love?
The Perfect Look for a Timeless Portrait:
The ideal ages for heirloom portraits are 6 months to 6 years. A period of life when children exude unmeasured curiosity, innocence and personality…and they still have their baby teeth.
Some choose to take a number of photographs at various ages to document growth. I even have some families who opt for annual portraits. This visual progression creates a priceless record of their little one’s first six years.
What to wear for your Heirloom Portraits?
We want to keep things very simple and traditional for this shoot. Again, the focus of an heirloom portrait is your child’s features, so clothing should not distract from that. However, I consider the clothing choice important in order to give it that classic, traditional feel.
Stick to light, solid colors (or very subtle patterns) such as whites, yellows, mints, soft pinks or baby blues, such as the below dress from Ralph Lauren. I can help you look for classic neckline details such as Peter Pan collars, smocking, or delicate embroidery. Think classic and elegant, rather than trendy or hip. These looks will elevate the portrait’s elegance and enhance the timeless feel of your final images.
Keep in mind that only tops will show in these photographs, so feel free to keep your child in whatever bottoms will be most comfortable for them. Think of it as your child’s very own zoom meeting if you will.
Finally, keep in mind that, unless your child’s personality is represented by something like a large bow, accessories should also be minimal, simple and neutral to keep the focus on your child’s expressions.
Shop local for Heirloom Portraits
If you’re local to Fairfield County, Ct, my go-to clothing boutique for Heirloom clothing is Honey Pie in Westport. Their beautifully curated selection of high-quality and stylish outfits is the perfect choice for these classic portraits.
How Will My Active Young Child Sit Still Long Enough for the Photoshoot?
This is a question I get asked often.
It is my job to get the shots; you and your little one need not worry about that. The actual length of time they will need to stay in the same place will be very minimal.
After years of experience as both a photographer and a mom of little ones, I have developed many techniques to help bring out your child’s personality and get what we need. If we try to make children sit and pose a certain way, we will never successfully recreate their natural essence; but when we follow their lead, the camera can capture their genuine magic. That is our goal.
Displaying Heirloom Portraits in Your Home
Once we have found a just-right wardrobe, captured gorgeous detailed portraits of your child, and selected a few final images that you would like to print and hang (don’t worry I will help you narrow the many choices down), it is now time to create the perfect frame in which to display your final product.
Your heirloom photograph deserves framing that will highlight its significance and complement its timeless aesthetic. That is why I offer custom design framing — from traditional mouldings to French matting — created just for you and the perfect space in your home.
My favorite Part – Custom Framing your Heirloom Portraits
Helping families find that ideal spot — from hallway gallery walls to formal living rooms — and building frames to suit them are truly some of my favorite parts of my work.
Why Custom Framing?
Why not use a pre-made frame that fits just fine? Aside from the higher quality, acid-free and conservation grade materials that are used, there’s also an intangible specialness that comes with a custom frame.
We have all moved from apartment to apartment or house to house and brought our furniture from one space to another. It usually works fine – you can sit on the couches and eat at the tables and sleep on the beds. But when you seek out furniture specifically for that new home it just changes everything. It fits. It belongs. And it turns a functional living space into a unique loving home. It all adds to the story you build. The same is true for custom framing.
Nothing can beat the elevated look of a gorgeous quality one-of-a-kind frame, custom designed and handmade specifically for your priceless portrait and unique space.
Ready to book?
When you are ready to start creating your family’s next one-of-a-kind heirloom, I hope you will think of me and reach out. Click here to contact me.
It will be my joy and honor to lead you through the entire process – to discuss what you envision, to assist with wardrobe, to create the ideal environment and lighting, to connect with your children as we capture their purest essence, and to create the most elegant and meaningful way to display the final portraits in your home.
An heirloom portrait is truly a family treasure to be enjoyed not just by you, the parent, but by your children themselves and by many generations to come. I would love to help you add to the story of your family’s love and legacy.
REACH OUT today to book a free consultation and start the process.
