Heirloom Portraits in Alexandria VA
As an heirloom photographer serving Alexandria VA and the surrounding area, I create portraits for the mother who wants a true keepsake — a framed portrait of her child that hangs on the wall, gets passed down, and looks just as beautiful decades from now as it does today. Many of you grew up with a portrait like this in your home.
I specialize in classic, timeless portraits of children from the time your babies are sitting by themselves through the preschool years, photographed in my studio in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. The setting is simple — clean white backgrounds, soft natural light flooding through the windows of a historic 1785 building — because the focus is entirely on your child. Their expressions. Their personality. That look that is completely, unmistakably them.
When we meet for your viewing appointment, that’s the moment I love most. Parents sit down, see their images for the first time, and say that is exactly her. That’s what we’re creating together.
Every piece of wall art is handcrafted and custom-made in the U.S. — the wood moulding selected, the matting cut to order, the portrait printed on museum-quality archival paper built to last not just your lifetime, but your children’s. Each framed piece comes with the matching digital image. This is something you hang on your wall and keep forever. First birthdays are a popular time to book, but any age from one through five captures something worth preserving. Book before they start losing those baby teeth — years down the road, preschool portraits become priceless.
See how every portrait is made — from print to finished frame.
The Heirloom Portrait Experience in Alexandria VA
step 1 - scheduling
The first step is scheduling your Fine Art Heirloom portrait session with Sarah Drewry Photography! You can submit an inquiry here.
Studio sessions are scheduled M-F between 10:00am and 12:00pm.
step 2 - Booking
A $200 creative fee is paid to secure your date and time. Once your session is scheduled, I will send you an email that will review session prep and styling.
Wall art and albums are purchased separately after viewing your images. Digital images and artwork are NOT included in the sitting fee. Average investment is $1500.
step 3 - Session Day
On the day of your session, you’ll arrive at Sarah’s studio for portraits. This session typically lasts 10-20 minutes. You will be welcomed into a warm, easygoing and playful environment for you and your little one!
step 4 - View Artwork
Within 2 weeks, your images will be ready for viewing. You’ll meet again with Sarah to see your proofing gallery and choose your favorites. She will assist you in designing the custom artwork you’d like for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is best for heirloom portraits?
The most popular age is one year — it’s such a milestone moment, and many families choose to celebrate their child’s first birthday with a classic portrait session. That said, any time from 1-5 works great, as long as your little one can sit up independently. One of my favorite suggestions? Book a session before they start losing their baby teeth — those preschool/toddler portraits become absolutely priceless.
What should my child wear?
Styling is one of the most important parts of creating a timeless heirloom portrait, and I’ve put together detailed guides to make it easy for you. Simple, classic pieces with collars and smocking in soft neutrals and whites always photograph beautifully.
As an affiliate of Feltman Brothers classic children’s clothing, my clients receive a 10% discount on their website with the code SARAHHILL10.
What is the best way to display these portraits in my home?
After your session, we’ll meet over Zoom to view your images together and explore artwork options. I’ll help you choose pieces that work perfectly in your home. Last year, the most popular choice was a multi-opening frame featuring three portraits — moms love having three different poses/expressions in one frame. I carry a curated collection of frames to choose from, and every portrait is printed on museum-quality archival paper, built to last for generations.
What makes your frames special?
Every frame I offer is handcrafted and custom-made in the U.S., specifically for your portraits. The wood molding is carefully selected, the matting is cut to order, and your images are printed on museum-quality archival paper designed to last not just your lifetime, but your children’s. When you invest in an heirloom portrait, the frame is part of the heirloom!
Are digital images included?
The matching digital image (in color and black and white) is included with every piece of artwork you order.
What makes heirloom portraits different from regular photos?
Heirloom portraits are created with intention. Every detail — the styling, the lighting, the posing — is crafted to produce a timeless image rather than a trendy one. These are portraits you’ll frame and hand down, not photos that live only on your phone.
Where is your studio located?
My studio is in a historic building dating back to 1785 in Old Town Alexandria. Sessions are scheduled Monday through Friday between 10:00am and 12:00pm, and typically last just 10–20 minutes. I keep things warm, relaxed, and playful, so your little one can just be themselves.
What should I bring to the session?
Some items mom often find helpful: a comb or brush, a favorite toy or stuffed animal, and something for chapped lips.
What is the investment?
There is a $200 sitting fee to reserve your date. Wall art and albums are selected separately after you’ve seen your images. The average family invests around $1,200 total in artwork.
When will my photos be ready?
Within two weeks of your session, your images will be ready to view. We’ll meet over Zoom to choose your favorites, and I’ll help you design the custom artwork you’d like for your home. It’s one of my favorite parts of the whole experience.
