Our First Home Portrait from Photo

1. Place your order
Choose your preferred size and format, then add your inscription and font choice.

2. Send your photograph
Within 24 hours of ordering, I’ll email you with instructions for sending your photo. If you’d like me to check your photograph before you order, you’re very welcome to get in touch via the Contact form.

3. Your portrait is created
I’ll prepare your photograph, create the artwork and refine the details by hand. Your proof will usually be ready within 3–4 business days.

4. Review your proof
You’ll receive a digital copy of your finished artwork to review. This is your opportunity to request any adjustments before printing.

5. Receive your portrait
Once approved, digital files are delivered within 24 hours. Fine art prints are sent to my professional printing partner to be printed and shipped directly to you.

Every portrait begins with your photograph. Before creating the artwork, I carefully prepare the image so your home looks its best.

Depending on the photograph, this may include brightening the sky, greening the lawn, adding a little more life to gardens and flowers, and removing smaller distractions such as cars, bins or other unwanted details.

Your portrait is then developed through several stages of rendering and refinement. I work through the architectural details by hand, soften areas that feel too digital, and finish the piece with a painted border and your chosen inscription.

The aim is to create a beautiful portrait of your home while still keeping the character and important details that make it recognisably yours.

You don’t need a professional photograph — a clear phone photo is usually perfectly fine.

For the best result, choose an image that is:

• Clear, sharp and taken in good light

• Large enough to show the important architectural details

• Taken reasonably straight-on rather than from an extreme angle

• Free from very heavy shadows across the building

• Not heavily obscured by large trees, vehicles or other objects

Basic photo preparation is included in the price, so I can improve common issues such as dull skies, brown lawns, untidy garden areas and smaller distractions.

If you’re unsure whether your photograph will work, simply get in touch through the Contact form and I’ll be happy to take a look before you order.

Digital File

A good choice if you’re short on time, live outside Australia or prefer to arrange your own printing.

You’ll receive a high-resolution digital file sized for your chosen print size within 24 hours of approving your artwork.

Your file will be delivered by email or, for larger files, through Google Drive. I’ll also include a short fine art printing guide with recommendations for Australian printers.

Please note: this option includes the digital artwork only. No physical print will be shipped.

Fine Art Print

Your portrait is professionally printed on Hahnemühle German Etching 300gsm, a heavyweight fine art paper with a beautiful soft texture that complements watercolour artwork particularly well.

Once you approve your portrait, it will be sent directly to my professional fine art printing partner for production and shipping.

An inscription is a lovely way to make your portrait more personal, whether it’s for your own home or being given as a gift.

Short inscriptions usually work best and keep the finished artwork simple and elegant.

Popular choices include:

• A family name

• A property or house name

• A street address

• “Our First Home”

• “Home Sweet Home”

• A wedding, settlement or moving date

• A short message for the recipient

You can enter your inscription and choose your preferred font when placing your order.

Nothing is printed until you’re happy with your portrait.

Your digital proof will normally be ready within 3–4 business days of receiving a suitable photograph.

This is your opportunity to check the artwork and let me know if there are any details you’d like adjusted.

Once you’ve approved the final version, your digital file will be prepared for delivery or your fine art print will be sent to my printing partner.

Digital Orders

Your high-resolution file will be sent within 24 hours of final artwork approval, either by email or Google Drive for larger files.

There are no shipping delays with the digital option, making it particularly useful for last-minute gifts.

Fine Art Prints

Fine art prints generally take 2–3 business days to produce after you approve your artwork.

Your finished print is then shipped directly from my professional printing partner. Delivery is generally 3–7 business days, depending on your location.

Please keep in mind that shipping times are estimates and carrier delays can occasionally occur, so I recommend allowing some extra time if your portrait is needed for a particular date.

How long will it take? Your artwork is ready for proofing within 3 to 4 business days. Digital files are sent as soon as you approve the proof. Prints are produced and posted within a further 3 to 7 business days.

What if I want changes to the proof? I'll work with you until you are happy with the result. 

Can I print the digital file myself? Yes. The file is supplied at a resolution suitable for printing at the size you order. I'll include a short guide covering paper choice and a few Australian fine art printers I'd recommend.

Do prints come framed? No, prints are unframed and unmounted. 

Can this be sent as a gift? Absolutely. A custom home portrait suits a housewarming, wedding, anniversary, first home, retirement or farewell. The print can be sent directly from my printer to the recipient with an optional gift message included. Please note: gifts cannot be gift-wrapped. 

Where do you ship, and what does it cost? I currently ship within Australia. Standard shipping is included in the price.

What if I'm not happy with the result? Your portrait isn't finished until you approve it. I'll keep refining the proof for as long as we need to get it right, and if we can't get there, I'll refund you in full.

Approving the proof is the point of no return. Your file goes out, or your print goes to the printer. Because each portrait is made for one person and one home, I can't offer refunds after that point. So take your time with the proof and tell me exactly what you'd like changed.

What happens if my print arrives damaged? If your print is damaged during transit, please get in touch right away. Take a couple of photos of the damage on the packaging and print which I will send to the printer. They will send you a new print to replace the damaged one. 

How is the artwork made? Each portrait is built from your own photograph through a studio process combining digital rendering with hand finishing. Here's the full explanation of how I work.