A Portrait Is More Than Just a Picture, It’s A Legacy

A Portrait Is More Than Just a Picture, It’s A Legacy.

Have you ever been to the Louvre Museum? If you have, I am certain you made your way to see the Mona Lisa. Pictured below is a photograph I took in 2018 of the crowd squeezing in to see her. This demonstrates the power of a portrait. Portraits become a cherished memory for the family. This is why a portrait is considered a legacy. When Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa, somewhere between 1503 and 1519, I’m sure he never imagined she would be admired by so many people and impact the world the way she has. The Mona Lisa is the world most recognizable and copied work of art.

What is A Portrait?

A portrait is a piece of art that tells a person’s story. They serve as a reminder that this person existed. When it comes to photography, rather than using a paint brush and oil-based paint, the photographer uses a digital camera to create their work of art. With a click of the shutter button, the subject image is captured in digital format. The photographer then processes the file by adjusting the hue, saturation, luminance, high-lights, and shadows the same way da Vinci would use paint to create his works of art.

Luxury For the Wealthy

There was a time when only the wealthy were able to commission an artist to paint their portrait. While the invention of the camera draws on centuries of contributions, historians generally agree that the first photographic camera was invented in 1816 by Frenchman Joseph Nicéphore Niépce. Eventually, this created the space that would allow the average person to have their portrait taken and proudly displayed above the fireplace.

Creating a Legacy

Having your portrait taken by a professional photographer will be the first step in creating a legacy. I have never seen a picture of my grandparents on my father’s side, nor have I seen my grandmother on my mother’s side of the family. I can only imagine what they must have looked like when I look at my mother (May she rest in peace) and my father today. If someone had encouraged them to have their portrait taken, their portraits would have been passed down from generation to generation, and I would not have to wonder what they looked like. Remember a portrait is more than just a picture, it’s a legacy.

Photography Your Legacy Today

Every year around 10 million people visit the Louvre Museum. It’s thought that a staggering 80% of them are there to see the Mona Lisa.