How Do We Design the Perfect Family Portrait for You?
If you're going to spend the time, energy and money having a family portrait created for your family, doesn't it make sense that you get something way more than a generic portrait?
Shouldn't it show your family's style?
Shouldn't it tell the story of who your family is?
Shouldn't it show the places, things or activities that your family enjoys together?
Shouldn't it show the individual personalities of each member along with the relationships that exist between the family members?
Shouldn't your friends exclaim "THAT'S SO YOU" when they see it?
All these things are our goal as we set out to design the perfect portrait for your family. We want to create for you something that you'll love for years to come; something that captures the essence of this particular time in your lives.
It all starts with a family portrait design consultation
This is a very important step.
We'll talk a lot about your family, each of the members, the relationships, the personality, and how you would see your family best being captured at this time in your lives.
We'll talk about locations. We'll talk about style. We'll talk about what you might be doing in the portrait. We'll talk about those items that are important to you. For example if you spend a lot of time boating at Detroit Lake, or at your beach cabin in Neskowin, these might be ideal locations. Not only your favorite people but your favorite places will be featured.
(for a list of coming special opportunities that might be perfect for you, see our "Special Events" page.)
We'll talk about clothing, and what's going to look best.
We'll talk about time of day for the best results.
And then we'll come up with a complete plan detailing exactly what we're going to do.
Then, if appropriate, we'll visit your home to help you decide exactly where to hang it, and what size it should be to look great on the wall.
Ideally, a family portrait should be displayed where you'll get the maximum enjoyment. It might be in a living room, where everyone who visits your home can enjoy and admire it.
It might be in your family room, because you spend lots of time there.
I know one lady who's favorite location is in her dining room, because she spends a lot of time in her kitchen and she can enjoy it every time she's there.
We'll then measure the space to see what the appropriate size might be. Too small and it will look like a postage stamp. Too large, and it might overpower the space.
Once we know the best size, we'll then know exactly how to compose the photograph for proper head size, and how much of the surrounding environment is both important and appropriate.
Then comes the session
Be prepared to have fun. We want this to be a great experience for everyone. Plus as we work, we begin to see the real family dynamic, which may give us some spontaneous ideas.
We'll arrive in plenty of time to take into consideration any last minute light or location considerations, and set up any equipment we might need. We'll make some pre-determinations of where we might place people, so the actual process of capturing the image will be smooth.
Then, when it's time, we'll get everyone in place, and the magic begins. We'll probably take about an hour, but the time is somewhat flexible.
Selecting your family portrait
Before you come in, we'll process the images, edit them to the best selections, and probably do some predetermination of our recommendations. And we'll prepare a great slide show for you to see.
At your ordering appointment, we'll help you narrow your selection down to the best image. You'll see them actual size on our projection screen so you can judge for yourself just exactly what each will look like hanging in your home.
We'll also help you select the perfect frame, both for the portrait and for your room.
Then, we go to work
We'll carefully retouch the image to make each person look their best. We'll add our own artistic touches, and then send it off to be printed.
If your ordering a standard wall portait, the entire process takes about 6 weeks. These are not one hour snapshots.
If your're working with one of our handcrafted Heritage Masterpiece canvas wall portraits, they can take 12-16 weeks, because of the painstaking process we go through in creating it.
Then, it's time for a lifetime of enjoyment
If you'd like, we'll come to your home and hang the portrait for you.
All you need to do then, is let it touch your heart every time you walk by it - especially once the separation factor we talked about in "The Importance of Family Portraits" starts to rear it's ugly head.