When my step-father, Neil, died in 2023, my mom remembered a photo I took of him at my wedding lunch rehearsal in 2011. I barely remembered taking it myself because that weekend was so busy. Usually Neil would hide and hated getting his photo taken. Over the years my mom snapped a few when he wasn’t looking, but he was always watching TV or looking grumpy at the last second.
But for this photo, he smiled and looked nice.
Of course, my mom was also in the photo, so for his funeral image, we cropped her out, photoshop out her hand, and replaced the restaurant background with a fake textured backdrop. It looks nice though, but it was a lot of work the average person isn’t comfortable doing!
The funeral home got the final image printed and framed, and now that photo hangs on the wall in the entry of my mom’s house.
When my dad died the following year, we similarly had to crop him out of a group photo of my wedding. But his head was much smaller in the image, so we couldn’t get a large print out of the original resolution. Instead we printed small prayer cards.
In both cases, I thought about what it means to leave behind an enduring image for people and wished I had personally taken portraits of them before their health declined. Photography so often exists for documentation and memory, in addition to art and beauty. We got lucky with Neil’s picture, but not so much with my dad.
This isn’t about being morbid
I know that death can be taboo in American culture. But it doesn’t have to be. We so often hear people rename funerals to “Celebration of life.” Capturing a person’s memory is part of that. It’s about celebrating who you are now, capturing that essence with care, and giving your family something personal, beautiful, and lasting.
We plan for so many big events in life: graduation, weddings, retirement, vacations, even the photos we’ll take at our next big event. And for all of those events, we love hiring a photographer to capture the memories for social media, prints on the wall, and even photo albums or books. But few people think about planning a portrait that will represent them long after they’re gone.
It may feel like a far-off idea, or something to deal with “someday.” But planning your funeral arrangements and estate while you’re healthy, confident and aware, is considered normal and expected. So let’s include our memory.
For that reason and because of the experiences above, I’ve created a new portrait service called Legacy Portraits. Legacy portraits aren’t about endings—they’re about honoring the life you’re living right now. A legacy portrait is a thoughtful, professional photograph taken with intention: to capture your personality, your presence, and the way you want to be remembered.
That portrait is not just for you, but for the people you love.
Whether you’re thinking about the future or simply want to document your story today, here are five compelling reasons to schedule your legacy portrait session now, not someday.
1. You Deserve to Be Seen at Your Best
Too often, we leave behind the only photos that happen to exist: quick snapshots, cropped group pictures, or images that don’t really capture who we are. A legacy portrait gives you the chance to be seen clearly, fully, and beautifully, with professional lighting, thoughtful composition, and care.
This simple studio portrait is a great starting place for someone who wants a beautiful representation of them in recent years.
This is your moment to take control of your image and leave behind a portrait that reflects the real you.
2. It Eases the Burden on Your Family
When someone passes away, families are often left scrambling for a usable photo for obituaries, memorials, and celebrations of life. In today’s digital world that could mean family members are stuck scrolling through hundreds of social media posts looking for a viable photo, hoping the resolution is high enough to print. Or it could also mean using the last large scale print from that family member taken decades ago.
Planning a legacy portrait in advance removes that stress. It’s a generous gift of foresight for your family and one less hard decision for your loved ones to make later. Particularly if you let the photo double as a beautiful self-portrait to print and hang in your home (or in careful storage if you’re not into that kind of thing).
Instead of last-minute searches, they’ll already have a portrait you were proud to share ready to use.
3. Your Story Matters and This Captures it
A legacy portrait can be more than a headshot, but it can also be simple, too. It can include personal touches like your favorite clothing, a meaningful location, or cherished mementos. These thoughtful details tell a deeper story and leave behind a visual legacy that connects generations.
In the photo above, my mother in law Jill (who is very much still alive, btw!), is sitting at her piano. The piano has been in her family and with her since childhood, giving this photo meaningful depth about an heirloom and an important hobby. The featured photo at the top of the article shows her surrounded by 100s of books while reading one of her favorites.
Think of it as a time capsule of who you are, what you love, and the life you’ve built.
4. It’s Not Just for the End, It’s a Celebration of Now
Legacy portraits aren’t only for when the end is near. They’re for anyone who wants to celebrate their life now, in good health and in good spirits. People often plan them in retirement, after a major life milestone, or simply when they want to create something lasting for their family.
Family members are welcome to join in for a larger family portrait, or to focus on the one person exclusively.
These sessions are calm, respectful, and empowering. And they can be deeply meaningful.
5. You Can Use It in More Ways Than You Think
A legacy portrait can serve as more than a memorial image. You can use it in a printed obituary, framed artwork, a family photo album, your website, social media, or even in a written life story project. Some clients also gift portraits to children, friends, or partners.
By planning now, you’ll have beautiful, versatile images that carry meaning far beyond a single use.
Ready to Plan Yours?
If you’re thinking about your legacy, or just want to document who you are right now, let’s talk. My legacy portrait sessions are personal, private, and customized to fit your story and comfort level.
You’ll receive a collection of professional photos delivered with care and available for you and your family to use however you choose. A 16×20-inch print with frame is a great add-on for a permanent self-portrait, too.
Learn more about the Legacy Portrait service, what’s included and schedule your session today!
