Classic Black and White Portraits
Black and white portraits have become a very popular session offering in the past few years and for good reason! This style of portrait can be so versatile. Black and white portraits are easy to hang on the wall and incorporate into one’s home decor. The aesthetic is timeless, whether you choose candid images or an a classic, elegant pose. While outdoor sessions in a beautiful location with golden light hold a special place in my heart, it’s hard to ignore the simple beauty of a portrait in front of a clean, white backdrop. With no distractions, one’s eye is immediately drawn to the child’s sweet little face.
A Rich History
While black and white portraits, sometimes labeled “Heirloom Portraits” have had a recent surge in popularity, they have a long tradition. This is especially true in the southern United States. When young mothers hire me, it is not uncommon for them to send me snapshots of their own childhood black and white portraits which are still hanging on the walls of their parents’ home. I even have a similarly style black and white portrait of my father-in-law displayed in my living room. These official portraits began at a time when photography was not as readily available. Children of means only had a few portraits taken throughout their childhood. These black and white portraits were a special occasion and often featured traditional dress and family heirlooms such as family jewelry or silver rattles.
Traditional black and white portraits often feature a “vignette” effect. This is the soft blurring around the edges of the image. It creates a frame-like effect, helping draw the eye to the subject of the portrait. Some vignettes are in a clear oval shape, while some traditional vignettes are more irregular in shape, following the silhouette of the child. Composite images were also popular. A composite is piece of wall art that combines multiple photographs into one image. Some composites featured multiple images from the same session, but with a variety of posing. Other composites included images from multiple session, each featuring a different age of infancy or toddlerhood.
Why Schedule Black and White Portraits Now?
Black and white portraits, or Heirloom Portraits as they are often known now, have become a tradition in many families. They have timeless beauty that inspires a sense of legacy and nostalgia. These portraits are specifically meant to be displayed as wall art and passed down to generations to come. I personally love how this view of portraits is rather antithetical to our “throw away” mentality towards photos in our digital age. How many photos of your children do you have on your phone? Do you often take the time to slow down and look at these images? How often do you quickly, absent-mindedly swipe through them? I’m completely guilty of this myself! (I have over 36,000 images in my “camera roll”.)
Tangible, physical wall art invites you stop, observe, and remember. It fills the walls of your home with reminders of the ones you love most! Did you know that displaying images of children within the home setting has been found to boost their self esteem and encourage a sense of belonging? I personally feel like Heirloom Portraits take this to the next level, especially if their portrait is inviting them into a rich family heritage of beloved portraiture.
Scheduling Black and White Portraits with Kelley Hoagland
I offer Black and White Portraits (or Heirloom Portraits) throughout the year. Also note, when scheduling with me, you will receive both the color and black and white copy of your child’s portraits. Some families opt to book a collection of session in order to create a composite image of multiple milestone. Popular milestones include 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months or the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd birthday. Composite images are certainly one of the benefits of scheduling with a local photographer who you can easily access for each milestone.
As mentioned, these portraits are captured with the specific intention of being displayed within one’s home. Therefore, I offer a wide variety of wall art options, including custom sizing. The prints I provide are archival quality, meaning they are guaranteed by the printer to last for 100+ years with the proper care. My framer as uses UVA/UVB blocking glass to ensure the longevity of your wall art.
After your portrait session, I will provide you with a proofing gallery from which to choose your favorite portraits. Then we will work together to create vignettes if desired and construct composites. Additional images that aren’t being used in the wall art can also be purchased. During sessions with children, I aim to capture poised, traditional images, as well as candid moments full of personality. While some of the candid portraits or detail shots may not make into the wall art, many families opt to purchase some as individual images. My goal is to collaborate with you to create a personalized work of art!
Ready to book black and white portraits for your family? Contact Kelley through her website.
Learn more about planning Heirloom Portraits with Kelley
Curious about how I take Heirloom Portraits? Learn more about my set up here!
