heirloom portraits
For the walls they'll someday come home to.
Heirloom portraits in Raleigh NC
Traditional portraits of your child, thoughtfully finished as framed artwork for your home.
For children sitting independently through age 12.
A limited number of sessions are available each month at my Wake Forest studio.
A Family Legacy
Some portraits are meant to become part of your family history.
Heirloom Portraits are inspired by traditional childhood portraiture, reimagined with a softer, more modern perspective — thoughtfully styled, intentionally simple, and created to live beautifully in your home.
These sessions are less about personality and play, and more about presence.
With nothing to distract from the child in front of my camera, the smallest things become the story: that almost-smile. The way they hold their hands. The glimpse of the person they're becoming, right alongside the little one they still are.
With a calm and patient approach, I create portraits that feel artful and polished, but unmistakably them — beautiful now, and even more meaningful twenty years from now.
Within two weeks of your session, we'll meet back at the studio for your design and ordering appointment. You'll see your finished images, select your favorites, and I'll help you decide how you'd most love to preserve and display them.
Every collection includes finished artwork, and I'll guide you through sizing, framing and placement so you're not left staring at a screen wondering what will actually look right on your walls.
CHOOSE WHAT WILL BECOME PART OF YOUR HOME
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At the studio, I'll take it from here. These sessions are relaxed and unhurried, usually a quick and easy 15 minutes, with gentle direction and plenty of patience for little ones who need a few minutes to warm up.
We'll create a beautiful variety of expressions in both color and black & white, all against the simple white backdrop that gives Heirloom Portraits their timeless look.
A simple session, thoughtfully guided
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Heirloom Portrait Sessions are offered on select days throughout the year at my Wake Forest studio, with a limited number available each month.
Once you're booked, I'll send everything you need to prepare, including simple wardrobe guidance if you'd like to bring something special from home, or access to my growing collection of classic children's clothing.
RESERVE YOUR PORTRAIT SESSION
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HOW IT WORKS
WARDROBE
For young children, I love classic children's clothing with beautiful, understated details like delicate collars, smocking and embroidery.
For older children, the same philosophy applies. Simple collared shirts, solid knits, classic necklines and softly structured pieces keep the look timeless without feeling too young.
Select from my growing studio wardrobe of classic pieces chosen especially for Heirloom Portraits. I'll help you find something that fits your child and the timeless simplicity of the finished artwork.
Or you're welcome to bring something you already love — a special outfit, a piece passed down through your family, or simply something that feels like your child.
HEIRLOOM PORTRAITS
RALEIGH NC
- 10–15 minute studio session for one child
- Access to the studio’s collection of classic children’s clothing
- Styling guidance to help choose the perfect look
- Gallery of hand-edited portraits in both color and black & white
- Personal design and ordering appointment to choose your portraits and artwork
SESSION FEE: $150
Images are purchased separately after your session.
Collections range from $450–$1,550.
Each child is photographed individually, creating a complete set of Heirloom Portraits just for them. We'll also create a portrait of the siblings together.
And there's something especially beautiful about seeing each child's portrait displayed together—same timeless style, each one completely their own.
The first child's session fee is $150, and each additional sibling is just $75. You'll also receive 10% off each child's artwork collection.
MORE THAN ONE CHILD?
GOOD TO KNOW
Answers to frequently asked questions
How long does the session take?
Most children are finished in about 10–15 minutes. I reserve up to 30 minutes for each child, though, so there's plenty of breathing room if they need a little extra time to warm up or settle in. There's no need to rush—and when we have what we need, we're done!
What ages is this session for?
There isn't one perfect age for an Heirloom Portrait. Many families choose a meaningful stage of childhood—maybe while the baby cheeks are still hanging around, around age two or three, or right before kindergarten. But it can also simply be an age you already know you'll want to remember.
What if my child is shy, wiggly, or just not in the mood?
That's completely normal! As a former preschool teacher and children's photographer for over 17 years, I have plenty of experience helping children feel comfortable in front of the camera. We'll give them time to warm up and keep things relaxed and low-pressure.
What should my child wear?
Heirloom Portraits are designed around classic, timeless clothing—think delicate collars, smocking, embroidery, simple dresses and traditional pieces that won't date your portrait. You're welcome to bring something you already love, or choose from the studio wardrobe, which includes a curated collection of beautiful pieces for children.
Can siblings come too?
Absolutely! Each child has their own Heirloom Portrait Session and their own gallery, and we'll also create a portrait of the siblings together. The first child's session fee is $150 and each additional sibling is $75. Families photographing siblings also receive 10% off each child's artwork collection.
Matching framed portraits for each child make a beautiful collection for your walls—and one you'll treasure long after they've grown.
What happens after the session?
About two weeks after your session, we'll meet for your design and ordering appointment. You'll see your finished portraits, choose your favorites, and decide what you'd most love to display in your home.
Artwork collections begin at $450 and include finished artwork as well as digital images. Most families choose the Gallery Collection, which includes a framed 11×14 portrait and the full gallery of digital images for $950.
I'll help you through the entire process—from choosing your favorite portrait to selecting the right frame—so you're not left staring at a screen wondering what will actually look right on your walls.
When is the best time to book?
Heirloom Portraits are especially beautiful at a meaningful stage of childhood—maybe a second birthday, the year before kindergarten, or simply an age you know you'll want to remember.
There isn't one perfect age. The right time is the stage you don't want to let slip by unnoticed. Those baby cheeks, that little-boy haircut, the last year before school—whatever feels like "This....this is how I want to remember them."
How is this different from THE STORY OF YOU?
Heirloom Portraits are classic, timeless portraits created to mark a meaningful stage of childhood—maybe each of your children at age two, or just before kindergarten, or simply at an age you know you'll want to remember. They're simple, traditional, and designed with finished artwork for your walls in mind.
The Story of You is more playful and personality-driven. These sessions are designed to capture who your child is right now—their expressions, quirks, interests, and all the little things that make them them. Come back every year or every few years, and those portraits can grow into a collection that tells the story of who they became along the way.
Want something classic for the wall? Heirloom Portraits. Want to bottle up their personality? The Story of You.
BEFORE THIS VERSION OF THEM CHANGES.
There isn't one perfect age for an Heirloom Portrait.
Maybe it's their second birthday. The year before kindergarten. The last traces of babyhood. Or simply an age you already know you'll want to remember.
There's no deadline for an Heirloom Portrait Session except the one your child sets.
A limited number of sessions are available each month at my Wake Forest studio. Reach out today for information and availability.