Everything families ask before they begin.
From the photos in your drawer to the portrait on your wall — here is how it works.
How does Held by Generations work?
Choose a thin canvas or framed heirloom poster in the shop, upload the family photos you already have, and tell us who each person is. Our studio composes your portrait — the first composition is ready within one business day. You review and approve it before anything prints, then it ships free across the US.
Can you include a loved one who has passed away?
Yes — memorial portraits are our specialty. We gently compose a deceased parent, grandparent, or sibling into the family portrait from the photographs you have of them, with grace and dignity, never garish. Many families create these for weddings, holidays, and anniversaries of loss.
What kinds of photos work best?
Everyday photos are perfect — phone snapshots, old prints you have re-photographed, even casual group shots. Each person needs one photo where their face is reasonably clear. Hats, glasses, and hairstyles are preserved exactly as they appear. People who were never photographed together can be united in one portrait.
How many people or generations can be in one portrait?
Up to seven people across as many as three generations — grandparents, parents, and children composed together in a single heirloom portrait. If your family is larger, write to us through the site chat and we will help you plan the composition.
Do I see the portrait before it prints?
Always. Nothing is printed until you approve the composition. You review the finished portrait first, and if something is not right, you can request changes and regenerate it. There are no surprises — the canvas that arrives is the portrait you approved.
What sizes and materials are available?
Two formats: gallery thin canvas, and a fine-art poster framed in black, walnut, or white. Both come in five sizes from 11×14 up to 18×24 inches. Every order is finished at print resolution — 300 DPI for the exact size you choose — so faces stay crisp.
How long does delivery take?
Your first composition is ready within one business day. After you approve it, printing and delivery take an estimated 8–14 business days. Shipping is free anywhere in the United States, and payment is secured by Stripe.
What if the first composition isn’t right?
Tell us what feels off and regenerate — composition adjustments happen before you ever pay for a print. Because approval comes first, you are never committed to a portrait you do not love. Our studio reads every message and typically responds within 24 hours.
Still wondering about your family’s photos?
Visit the shop to begin, read about memorial portraits, or ask us anything in the site chat — we read every message.
Begin Your Portrait