the heirloom portait
experience
Inspired by a beloved Southern tradition, our Heirloom Portraits are designed to preserve the sweetness and magic of childhood in its most timeless form. Photographed against a classic white background and finished with a soft, hand-edited vignette, each portrait has a gentle, artistic quality that feels both nostalgic and beautifully refined. The result is never just a digital image, rather it’s a piece of your child’s story, created to be framed, bound in an album, displayed, and passed down for generations in true heirloom form.
Traditional.
Classic.
Timeless Portraiture.
what's included:
heirloom experience
- Session planning
- Access to our Client Heirloom Wardrobe + styling links
- Session time in the studio
- The editing and enhancing of images
- In-studio Design & Ordering appointment to select final artwork
- Artwork installation
Clients typically additionally invest
$1500-$2500+ on custom artwork.
Digital images only available with printed artwork.
most popular
First Year Collective
The first year of your baby’s life holds so many memories and milestones. But it can happen in the blink of an eye. One minute they are a tiny newborn and you're learning to navigate motherhood while juggling everything else, and before you know it they are taking their first steps and getting into everything. Let’s document all of those little changes so you don’t miss a thing. This option includes maternity, newborn, 6 months, and first birthday so every milestone in between is captured.
experience includes
- 3 or 4 Signature Sessions taking place during a 15-month period
- Use of wardrobe and styling
- 1 Complimentary Professional hair and makeup for mom.
- The editing and enhancing of images
- In-studio design & ordering appointment to choose final artwork after each session
- 50 complimentary birth announcements.
- Credit toward your baby's first-year album at EACH session
signature session
Session fee $300
Family portraits don’t just capture a single moment of time. They hold the memories of an entire season of life. Looking back on photos reminds you of more than just the day you took pictures. You think back to what your children were like at that age and are reminded of funny moments or sweet memories that happened during that time of life. The Signature Sessions are designed to capture this season of life with your family.
experience includes
- consultation to plan session
- use of wardrobe, styling for family
- professional hair and makeup
- full session in studio or on location
- editing and enhancing of images (45-55)
- In-studio design and ordering appointment to choose final artwork
Simplicity session
Session fee $200
They change so much in the first year and you want to document all those big milestones and little details. The Simplicity Sessions are designed to catch those unique stages. These sessions are 20 minutes long and offered only in the studio during weekday mornings.
experience includes
- use of studio wardrobe, selected day of
- editing and enhancing of images (15-20 images presented)
- in studio design and ordering appointment to choose final artwork
Add-on option:
LIFESTYLE HEIRLOOM
The Lifestyle Portrait Add-On offers a beautiful complement to your child’s classic heirloom portrait. Photographed following their traditional sitting, these full-length images preserve the complete look—from the carefully chosen outfit to the little details you’ll want to remember—while maintaining the refined, timeless feel of the collection.
shannon
We had the most wonderful experience with Valerie Maria Photography for our children’s heirloom portraits. Valerie has such a gift for capturing their little personalities while creating images that feel so classic and timeless. The soft vignette and simplicity of the portraits are absolutely beautiful. They truly look like pieces of art. I know these are photographs we’ll have framed in our home for years and eventually pass down to our children. Valerie made the entire experience easy and enjoyable, and I’m already looking forward to doing them again as they grow!
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03. after the session
02. during the session
01. before the session
Before your session date, we will have your planning appointment, where together we dream. We choose wardrobe, talk about session goals and artwork products. You will walk away knowing exactly how your heirloom session will go.
the process
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03. after your session
02. during your session
01. before your session
during your session
You will arrive at the studio, which has been prepped and ready to go for you. Wardrobe will be steamed, and I will be greeting you and your children with a smile.
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03. after your session
02. during your session
01. before your session
after your session
About a week after your heirloom session, we will meet in the studio for your Design & Ordering Appointment. This is truly the best part of the entire experience! You will see your images in a beautiful slideshow, and we will guide you on the best artwork for your home, whether that’s albums (our favorite!) and custom framing. No more guesswork, no more delaying making your album later. Done and done!
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ALBUMS we deliver annually
THE NUMBER OF
25
GROOMS THAT CRied. HARD.
THE NUMBER OF
24
MILES WE DROVE LAST YEAR
THE NUMBER OF
15k
COUNTRIES we've traveled to
THE NUMBER OF
9
OUR COUPLES WHO DO FIRST LOOKS
THE NUMBER OF
95%
WEDDINGS WE SHOOT PER YEAR
THE NUMBER OF
25
AT A GLANCE
by the numbers
Heirloom portraits with Valerie Maria photography begin at $250, and most clients should expect to invest an additional $1000+ in their printed artwork.
what should i expect to invest in heirloom portraits?
Sibling heirloom portraits are offered as an add-on option. They are perfect for creating multi-image framing.
can siblings be photographed together?
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We will help style your children with shoppable links for your heirloom session. We also have some heirloom outfits you are welcome to use. Many parents decide to purchase their own wardrobe to truly pass it down to the next generation.
what should my child wear for heirloom portraits?
02
Heirloom portraits are perfect for little ones ages 6 months through age 10
what age is best for heirloom portraits?
01
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Frequently Asked questions
