Monochrome Portraits
A short history of an heirloom and how these portraits came to be.
In 2021, I was living in California and I had just started learning about home developing my film. My love for film photography was new and exciting… I have a lot of fond memories from this time frame. I learned that my Grandpa was a photographer in the military in the 50s and frequently shared my work with him. On a trip back to Texas to visit my grandparents, my Grandpa gifted me a very special heirloom camera. A Voigtlander Superb that belonged to his father in the 1930s.
Voigtlander Superb
Circa 1933
While delving into the history of how he came to possess this great camera, my grandpa also shared with me his sole remaining box of family photographs. It was a treat. Photographs of members of our family long since gone, as well as photographs taken on the Voigtlander camera from the 30s!!
Among these special images were two in particular that I was especially fond of: a photograph of my great gandfather, Harry, with his Voigtlander (I presume when it was new) and a photograph of my grandpa, Tom, taken on the Voigtlander when he was about 2 years old.
Apparently Harry thought it was cute to give a 2 year old a pipe in the 30s. Don’t worry, no babies were harmed in the making of this photograph… my Grandpa is in his mid-80s and alive and well! I love that these two heirloom photographs are a bit unconventional. Most “heirloom portraits” are focused on perfect collars, perfect smiles, and an angelic-like appearance. What we have here is a man, his cigar, and his camera photographing his son with a pipe at the age of 2! CLASSIC. From the moment I saw these, I wanted to recreate these photographs. Fast forward a few years… I approached my friend Paige about doing a headshot swap. I mentioned this camera and my desire to be photographed with it. Here was the result:
(photo credit: Paige Simpson of Paige Simpson Photography)
With the spirit of these original photographs of my grandpa and great grandfather in mind, I set out to create an heirloom portrait project for my clients. Almost an “un-heirloom portrait” if you will. A blend of high quality film and digital photographs, but focused on the individual - their personality, emotion, and connection with family. No angelic facial expressions, but rather a true glimpse of who they are in that moment in time. I decided to call them Monochrome Portraits, because that is what they are. I wish there was a way for you to feel the texture and quality of the paper these original photographs were printed on. It puts some of these 1-hour photo labs to shame. The quality of these prints and the tangible aspect of these heirlooms fueled my desire to offer prints for clients in 2025. Prints and Monochrome Portraits go hand in hand in my opinion and I really think there is some magic in holding a physical photograph of a loved one.
Monochrome Portraits is truly one of the most rewarding projects I have ever worked on. God made us all so unique and special and I really strive to show that as best I can. A few favorite Monochrome Portraits:
I really hope you love this project as much as I do and I hope your future children, grandchildren, and GREAT grandchildren will hold your photograph in their hands and experience the magic I felt when I held my heirlooom photographs.
To see more Monochrome Portraits click here.
To book Merece Photography, send me an inquiry! I would love to work with you!
-Sarah