Heirloom Portrait Photography- behind the scenes with Angie Moore, Charleston, SC

Today I want to talk a bit about the what is an heirloom portrait and how is it created behind the scenes. As a baby and child portrait photographer for almost 10 years, I know that my work would not be what it is without the years of practice and educational courses from the experts in the industry.

An ongoing joke in the photography community is when you receive a backhanded compliment such as, “Your photos are stunning, what camera do you use?” The initial response is it’s not the camera, but the photographer who chose the settings for lighting, composition, and focus. But no harm is taken by me; it’s very common to hear this. However, as a professional photographer, getting your images right in the camera are key.

So the first step is knowing your camera and how to take a beautiful portrait. There are many You Tube videos that teach you all about your settings on your camera. There are professional courses that you can take online or in-person workshops. Some of my favorite education sources and workshops were with Louisa Dunn Photography, Kat V Photography, The Milky Way for Photographers, Meg Bitton, and Finding North Collective. I believe in always learning something new and keeping up the trends in the industry. I am currently a member of The Motherhood Anthology and am certified heirloom portrait photographer with Born and Raised Studio.

What is considered Heirloom?

Heirloom is defined as something of value that can be passed down from generation to generation. This could be something as simple as heirloom seeds for vegetable or roses, or baby portraits. Baby and child portraits do hold such a special place in our hearts. In this digital age, heirloom portraits stand apart. These are portraits that are to be displayed in the home. Specifically in the South, Charleston and the low country, a traditional portrait with a white vignette is what is referred to as an heirloom portrait and can often be found in the Southern homes. Much effort went into the decision of which lab to work with. There are any different paper types. Many labs offer discounts on samples so that you are able to hold and feel the paper. This is also true of frames and albums; so many options when it comes to professional labs and mediums in which they offer.

The Paper

Heirloom portraits should be printed on archival papers so that the color and quality will last for 200+ years. When purchasing prints from box stores there is no guarantee of the print quality. Something that I thoroughly enjoy is providing prints that are of high quality for my clients. To know that their prints will last a lifetime and onto the next generation is priceless. Not only will their parents enjoy the photos in their home, but they will then be passed down to their child, and then to their child, etc. Charleston and the Southern way of life hold tradition close to their heart. And I am so happy to be a part of my clients’ journey.

Heirloom Portrait Session

The actual portrait session only takes about 10-15 minutes. Here in our Charleston Studio, we do offer a large array of beautiful new and vintage dresses and sets for boy and girls. Some clients bring their own special heirloom piece, but this is not required. In the studio, strobe or flash lighting is used in order to capture the portrait. Lighting is so key in all types of photography. A flash is different than a constant light in that it fires quickly and captures subjects with less blur. Some toddlers are constantly moving and having a flash is so helpful. I also prefer to use a large umbrella modifier that diffuses the light, for softer lighting on the child’s face.

The Editing

Once the photos are taken, the client chooses their favorite images for editing. The editing portion of the process does take the longest. I thoroughly enjoy editing and have had to practice in order to perfect my perfect heirloom portrait. Excellence is not negotiable. It is a style that can be created beautifully in both black and white and in color. The vignette needs to blend and look smooth, head sizes need to line up if creating a 3 or 4 image panel in a frame. A traditional heirloom portrait does not include the hands, but is usually waist or mid-chest and up. With a modern twist, hands can certainly be included. This is art

The Artwork

Clients may choose wall art, deckled prints, matted prints, desktop frames, etc. There are several ways to display the artwork in your home and I am here to help (if needed). After sampling many labs I am confident in the professional venders who I have chosen to create the prints on archival fine art paper and bespoke products.

Learn more about an Heirloom Portrait Session with Bella Marie Styled here.

Xx-Angie