Heirloom Portraiture is a style of photography where a child is dressed in formal attire, often in white, and photographed with a white background. Usually a soft, white vignette is applied to the portrait. This style of childrens’ portraiture is popular in many southern homes, but has been gaining popularity throughout the United States. These framed portraits become a keepsake to hand down through generations. Oftentimes, families will create large wall collages with multi-generation portraits and many families want to continue this tradition with their own children.

Blogpost by Dana Ashlyn: https://www.danaashlyn.com/blog-post/why-heirloom-photography

Blogpost by PLUME Photography: https://plume-photography.com/journal/heirloom-portraits-a-brief-history

Blogpost by Tiffany Bradley: https://tiffanybradleyphotography.com/savannah-childrens-heirloom-portraits/

The links below include information about the kind of clothing styles that look best in an heirloom portrait. Many factors come into play when selecting an outfit for your child: color, style, fabric, and tradition. If you have an outfit that is meaningful to your family, but doesn’t quite fit the guidelines outlined here, let’s talk about how to include that image for your forever keepsake.

Blogpost by Dreama Spence of Williamsburg, VA: https://dreamaspence.com/choosing-an-outfit-for-a-heirloom-portrait-session/

Blogpost by Kelly Hoagland of Mountain, VA: https://kelleyhoaglandphotography.com/what-to-wear-for-heirloom-photos/

Blogpost by Feltman Bros.: https://feltmanbrothers.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-heirloom-photo-outfits/

A child can come in for an heirloom portrait at any age, once they are able to sit up unassisted. Children should also be able to be still for a short period of time while their portrait is being created; sometimes this means a child should avoid sugar or other foods for a day before the session, to give them the best chance to self-regulate their energy. 

Blogpost by Molly Hensley: https://mollyhensley.com/2024/05/13/what-is-the-best-age-for-heirloom-portraits/

Blogpost by Dreama Spence: https://dreamaspence.com/whats-the-perfect-age-for-heirloom-photography/