HEIRLOOM PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER IN AUSTIN, TEXAS
I'm an Austin heirloom portrait photographer, and the style I'm known for is the heirloom vignette: a formal studio portrait of a single child, photographed from the elbows up against a plain backdrop and finished with soft heirloom tones and a subtle vignette so the edges fade gently into the frame. It is rooted in the tradition of Southern fine art portraiture, and it is made to be printed and hung on a wall, not scrolled past on a phone.
I photograph these in Austin, with sessions throughout the year in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio. Every portrait is retouched by hand and delivered in both color and black and white.
Sittings start at $399 and include a fine art print credit.
UPCOMING SESSIONS
UPCOMING SESSIONS
Please consider adding yourself to my waitlist. There is no obligation to book, but you will be notified if there are any openings that come up. Every year a couple spots get off the waitlist and onto my calendar, so it's worth a try!
WEREN’T ABLE TO SNAG A SPOT THIS SEASON?
CHOOSE AN HEIRLOOM PORTRAIT SITTING THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
Parents love Heirloom Portraits because appointment times are very brief, kids have a ton of fun (pinky promise!) and leave with a fun treat.
Please take a minute to learn more of the specifics of the event, including the price and the type (Petite Heirloom or Full Service Heirloom). Vignettes are currently only offered on certain dates & times throughout the year in Austin. Sitting fee includes one fine art print, size dependent on type of session and one web-size digital.
PETITE HEIRLOOM SITTING
(minimum of 8 kids required + done on select days only)
$399
Each child requires their own booking
10-minute portrait sitting
Receive full watermarked digital gallery of unedited expressions/poses. You will pick 3 images for me to turn into heirlooms. You will receive both color + B&W fully edited and retouched heirlooms. These edits are NOT digital downloads. You are paying for my editing time as each heirloom edit takes me around 45 minutes to 1 hour to do. Please note, I do not sell unedited pictures.
Option to have more poses turned into heirlooms, should you be interested. For each additional pose, there is a $50 editing fee.
$50 fine art print credit.
One web-size digital download for social sharing.
Petite Session Clients do not have access to Client Closet or Heirloom Vignette Welcome Pack.
Only available on specific days. These are a first come, first serve basis.
Available for Private Events
FULL HEIRLOOM SITTING
(minimum of 8 kids required + done on select days only)
$599
Each child requires their own booking
20-minute portrait sitting
Receive full watermarked digital gallery of unedited expressions/poses. You will pick 6 images for me to turn into heirlooms. You will receive both color + B&W fully edited and retouched heirlooms. These edits are NOT digital downloads. You are paying for my editing time as each heirloom edit takes me around 45 minutes to 1 hour to do. Please note, I do not sell unedited pictures.
Option to have more poses turned into heirlooms, should you be interested. For each additional pose, there is a $50 editing fee.
$100 fine art print credit.
Three web-size digital downloads for social sharing.
Heirloom Vignette Welcome Packet with session tips, tricks and clothing styling guide + where to shop in Austin and Online.
Access to Heirloom Client Closet (Sizes 3 months - Children’s Size 6)
Only available on specific days. These are a first come, first serve basis.
Available for Private Events
DELUXE HEIRLOOM
(private session done in the comfort of your home/your schedule)
$999
Each child requires their own booking
30-minute portrait sitting
Receive full watermarked digital gallery of unedited expressions/poses. You will pick 9 images for me to turn into heirlooms. You will receive both color + B&W fully edited and retouched heirlooms.
Option to have more poses turned into heirlooms, should you be interested. For each additional pose, there is a $50 editing fee.
Receive ALL the web-size digitals
$200 fine art print print credit.
Composite creation (3-images). You will still need to order a print of the composite. You will receive web-size digital copy.
Heirloom Vignette Welcome Packet with session tips, tricks and clothing styling guide + where to shop in Austin and Online.
Access to Heirloom Client Closet (Sizes 3 months - Children’s Size 6)
Can be booked anytime (does not have to be done as an event). Not done back-to-back with other clients.
| Petite | Full | Deluxe | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sitting fee | $399 | $599 | $999 |
| Sitting length | 10 minutes | 20 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Edited poses | 3 | 6 | 9 |
| Print credit | $50 | $100 | $200 |
| Web size digitals | 1 | 3 | All of them |
| Client Closet | No | Yes | Yes |
| Welcome Packet | No | Yes | Yes |
| Composite creation | No | No | Yes, 3 images |
| Where | Event dates only | Event dates only | Private, in your home |
| Scheduling | Select dates, 8 child minimum | Select dates, 8 child minimum | Anytime, never back to back |
“There really aren’t words for how amazing the Heirloom Vignette Portraits of our children turned out. She made our 5-year-old daughter and 1.5 year old son feel comfortable and TRULY put them at ease. Honestly I didn’t have high expectations of our youngest participating, but Noelle worked her magic and he sat for her the entire time (shocking in itself). When she sent the gallery, I fully cried. They’re incredible. Noëlle is incredible. She captured so many of my daughter’s expressions.
Time is passing way too quickly and Noëlle has given me the greatest gift of freezing time. We are so beyond thrilled with our experience. 11/10 recommend.”
WHAT TO EXPECT
STUDIO LIGHTING
Portrait sittings are done under "studio lights" which create consistent lighting and results for each and every portrait. The child will be seated against a simple plain backdrop or wall, and photographed from the elbows up.
WORKING WITH THE KIDS
The session will last around 10-20 minutes (depending on the type of session you choose) and you will be right there the whole time to make your child(ren) smile, laugh, and feel comfortable.
EDITING + VIGNETTE
Color images are edited with soft, heirloom tones and creamy skin so that your final portrait stands the test of time. Each color pose is also converted into classic b&w. I use a very subtle vignette effect to ensure that you have a seamless, beautiful final portrait to frame and display as art in your home. Each portrait will be fully retouched, so no need to worry about bumps, scrapes, discoloration, wardrobe stains, etc.
ORDER THE POSES YOU WANT
You pay the sitting fee per child and arrive for your portrait sitting. I will take 20-100 pictures and send you all the unedited poses in a watermarked online gallery. You will select the allocated number of poses (depending on type of session) and I will edit to perfection in both color and b&w. You will then select the complimentary print you'd like to order with your print credit(s). You can order/pay for any other prints/lockets/ornaments/frames you want through the online professional printer.
ATTENTION: ALL HEIRLOOM CLIENTS
Each child being photographed will need their own portrait sitting.
The intent of these sittings is to provide you with heirloom PRINTS to display in your home. I do offer high-resolution digitals, however they are priced according to my best selling print size. Please see FAQs below for high-resolution digital pricing.
All other prints and custom framed pieces are purchased in addition to your sitting fee and will be available for ordering after your images are fully edited.
You will have one week to make your selections and then one week to place an order. Please make sure to make your selections as soon as you can as I do charge a $25 reactivation fee to open your album after it expires.
There is no minimum investment on top of your sitting fee.
All additional prints and artwork are purchased separately. Clients additionally invest $250+ on prints and custom artwork.
Sales tax of 8.25% will be added to all orders. Travel fees apply 20 miles from the 78759 zip code. Prices are subject to change at any time and are locked at the time of booking.
PRINTS
FRAMES + ACCESSORIES
LOCKETS
ALBUMS + FOLIOS
“Noelle took GORGEOUS heirlooms of my son that wildly exceeded my expectations! She was so kind and patient with my 2 1/2 year old, and she made him feel so comfortable. The ordering process was quick and easy, and we are thrilled with the high quality of the prints. We highly recommend Noelle, and can't wait to have her photograph our family again!”
“Noelle did the most beautiful heirloom pictures of my daughters (2 and 4). She is AMAZING with kids. I was initially nervous, thinking they weren't to cooperate, and Noelle made them feel so comfortable that they did all she told them to do! I am a photographer, and I couldn't recommend her more for your family and children's pictures. It was an incredible experience, and I will treasure these photos forever. ”
“I can't say enough great things about Noelle Westcott's Photography and Noelle Westcott! She is professional, extremely talented and an absolute pleasure to work with. Her heirloom vignette portraits are timeless, cherished photos that you will have and enjoy for a lifetime! She knows how to capture each child's personality. We couldn't be happier and more grateful for the photos of our two precious boys. Thank you Noelle!!”
FAQs
What is an Heirloom Vignette Portrait?
It's a formal studio portrait of one child, photographed from the elbows up against a plain backdrop. The finish is what makes it an heirloom vignette: soft, warm tones and a gentle vignette so the edges fade into the frame rather than stopping at a hard border. The effect is closer to a painted portrait from a hundred years ago than to anything you'd get at a studio in a mall.
The style comes out of the Southern portrait tradition, where a child's portrait was something you commissioned, framed, and hung in the house for the next fifty years. That's what these are for. Not a photo for your phone, but a piece for a wall.
Every portrait comes to you in both color and black and white, and every one is retouched entirely by hand. That takes me 45 minutes to an hour per image, which is the whole reason they look the way they do.
What age group do you recommend for heirloom portraits?
Heirloom sessions are best for little ones who are solid sitters, usually around 9 months, through 6 years old. If you are trying to decide whether now is the right moment, I wrote more about the best age to schedule heirloom portraits and what each stage looks like in front of the camera.
What should my child(ren) wear?
When you're choosing the clothing for your child's heirloom portrait, you always want to look for simple, classic, and timeless. Hand smocked bishop dresses or rompers, peter pan collars, or christening gowns. Bows are highly encouraged in hair. Colors that photograph best are white, light pink, light blue. In my Heirloom Vignette Welcome Packet, I provide a list of where to shop in Austin and which online stores to order from. Plus, when you book a full of deluxe session you have access to my Heirloom Client Closet and can borrow as many outfits as you’d like. Petite Session Clients do not receive Welcome Packet nor do they have access to Client Wardrobe.
Do you offer a client closet?
I do, but only for Full Heirloom Session clients! As part of the Full Heirloom sitting fee, you will have the choice to use any of my heirloom outfits. I have multiple outfits for boys and girls ranging in sizes 3 months to 6 years.
How long is a session?
For Petite Sessions, they are 10 minutes long. Full Sessions are 20 minutes long. Deluxe Sessions are 30 minutes long. If you have more than one child, each child will have their own separate sitting — and they will be photographed back-to-back.
Can siblings join?
If you have multiple children, they will each have their own separate session, but they will be photographed back-to-back.
Can I get group portrait of my kids together?
For the purposes of this session, no. Heirloom Vignette Portraits are all about celebrating the individual child and honoring who they are at this very moment in their life.
Where do the sessions take place?
These will be held at multiple locations in Texas. If you are interested in hosting a private event at your house, I am happy to chat more about your vision and accommodate you. Hosting a private event is a great way to get a discount on Heirloom Vignette Portraits.
Ooooh, the above answer about hosting a private event sounds interesting! I am interested. How do I do that?
There is a minimum number of clients/your friends that must participate (at least 8 children, not including yours) in order for you to host a session at your home. And, as mentioned above, the host will receive one sitting fee to use for themselves or gift to a friend who might be interested.
Can I have the high-resolution digitals and print them myself?
YES! However, they are priced according to my bestselling print. They are $100 per digital. It is extremely important that files are printed in a professional printing lab to ensure the highest quality. I calibrate my photos to match the colors of certain labs, and this ensures a perfect match. You do receive one web-size (too low quality to print but perfect for social sharing). I kindly ask that if you do share your heirloom digital(s) on social media, to please not crop in or apply any filters/edits.
My child has a bug bite/scratch etc. Do you retouch the images?
After your portrait session, you'll receive a proof gallery of edited photos in color and black and white. Each image is fully retouched (I hand edit skin, retouch blemishes, fix wardrobe malfunctions, etc) and turned into a work of art with every detail perfected. You can directly order your prints and wall art for your home and order printed gifts for loved ones from the online professional photography printer store.
What if someone is sick or an emergency comes up? Is there a make up date?
In case of illness or family emergency, your session may be rescheduled to a future heirloom session (pending availability). If that make up date is missed, you may use your sitting fee for a family session with Noelle Westcott Photography. If it is not used within 12 months the fee is forfeited.
Do you offer gift cards?
You bet! Please reach out to me by email at info@noellewestcott.com
How much does an Heirloom Vignette Portrait cost?
Sittings are $399 for a Petite, $599 for a Full, and $999 for a Deluxe, and each child needs their own booking. Every sitting fee includes fully edited portraits in color and black and white, a fine art print credit, and at least one web size digital for sharing.
Beyond the sitting fee there is no minimum you have to spend. Most families invest another $250 or more on prints and custom artwork, but that's entirely up to you. Additional edited poses are $50 each, and high resolution digitals are $100 each, priced to match my best selling print size.
Sales tax of 8.25% is added to all orders, and travel fees apply beyond 20 miles of the 78759 zip code. Prices are locked in at the time of booking.
How do I reserve a spot?
These will be scheduled on certain dates throughout the year. And there are a limited number of sessions. So they really are a first come, first serve basis. Please add yourself to my Heirloom Email List or email me at info@noellewestcott.com and I will send you a booking link with my upcoming availability.
Create a Custom Painted Portrait from Your NWP Heirloom Photo
Commission a hand-painted portrait from your favorite Noëlle Westcott Photography image. Using mixed media techniques, your heirloom photo is carefully transformed into an original work of art that merges photographic clarity with the nuanced beauty of painting. Each brushstroke adds warmth and dimension, creating a piece that's unmistakably unique—an heirloom in every sense, meant to grace your walls and warm your home for years to come.
INTERESTED IN HOSTING A PRIVATE HEIRLOOM EVENT?
If you are interested in hosting a private event at your house, I am happy to chat more about your vision and accommodate you. Hosting a private event is a great way to get a discount on Heirloom Vignette Portraits. There is a minimum number of clients/your friends that must participate (at least 8 children, not including your own) in order for you to host a session at your home. The host will receive one sitting fee to use for themselves or gift to a friend who might be interested.
What More Mamas Are Saying
“We did an Heirloom session with Noelle at our house and I could not be more pleased with the entire experience and end result. She even provided outfits for the kiddos to wear. My son was not having any of it so he took his picture shirtless and she was able to put a shirt on him via photoshop. She is a godsend! The heirloom images are beyond perfection. We're gifting them to grandparents for mother's day and will serve as formal pictures in our living room. I could not recommend her enough!!!”
“I attended one of Noëlle’s heirloom minis for my 3-year-old son. I was so excited because her work is AMAZING. The entire session she was patient and kind. She was engaging and she actually got my, easily distracted, strong willed child to do what she asked him to do. He had so much fun with her. He got to be himself. Silly and energetic. When I received my images they were PERFECTION. They truly embodied his personality and I am forever grateful for them. I would HIGHLY recommend an heirloom session. You won’t be disappointed!!!”
“Noelle is absolutely incredible. She is able to capture the pure essence of beauty in her photography. We were fortunate enough to have found her for heirloom photos for my children, and now have lifelong keepsakes that we will treasure forever. She is so talented, and after this experience we definitely plan to return for future photography work, and tell all our friends about her! Thank you, Noelle.”
WHERE I PHOTOGRAPH HEIRLOOM PORTRAITS
Heirloom sessions are held on select dates throughout the year, most of them here in Austin. Families come from all over Texas for them. Some drive down from Dallas and Fort Worth, some up from San Antonio and the Hill Country, some over from Houston, and plenty come from closer in around Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Leander, Liberty Hill, Westlake, Lakeway, Bee Cave and Dripping Springs.
I'm told the drive is worth it. Every heirloom portrait is retouched entirely by hand, one pose at a time, and the finish is genuinely difficult to find anywhere else in the state. That's the part that takes me 45 minutes to an hour per image, and it's the reason these portraits look the way they do.
I also take the heirloom setup on the road a few times a year, with events in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio. Deluxe Heirloom Sittings are private and photographed in your own home. Travel fees apply beyond 20 miles of the 78759 zip code.
If you'd like to host a private heirloom event at your house, email me at info@noellewestcott.com.
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