The Fine Art
Portrait Artist Birmingham AL
Commission museum-quality hand painted oil portraits in Birmingham, Alabama and beyond. Serving Fairhope, Huntsville, Madison, Auburn, Tuscaloosa, and the Southeast.
Because the people you love most deserve to be remembered beautifully.
A painted portrait is more than a likeness—it’s a symbol of who you are and what you mean to the people who love you. Breanne preserves family stories and celebrates personal legacy through fine art that becomes part of your home—and your history.
And your love for them is far too important to leave on a Hard Drive.
When it comes to preserving the people you love, standard digital portraits often fall short. Quick sessions, unretouched files, and trendy styles don’t stand the test of time. As some of the top portrait artists in Birmingham, AL, our painted portraits are created with the intention and artistry they deserve—from careful lighting and posing, to hand-finished touches in oils. These are the portraits that become the centerpiece of a home—and a family’s legacy.
A ordinary photo session gives you a file. We give you forever.
We’ve helped dozens of families turn presence into portraiture—and portraits into heirlooms.
Breanne Cook has trained with master portrait artists including William Branson III and Lola Melani, learning traditional painting methods and the timeless principles of composition and lighting. She understands what makes a portrait worthy of being passed down—and how to make her clients feel confident, elegant, and seen. From Birmingham to Fairhope and beyond, families trust Breanne to create hand painted oil portraits and fine art imagery that tells their story with reverence. This is where Southern tradition meets timeless craftsmanship.
YOU’RE in the RIGHT PLACE
If any of this sounds like you...
You’ve searched for portraits that feel like art—but found only quick sessions and canned smiles.
You want to feel beautiful and seen in a portrait—for the first time in years.
You want your children and grandchildren to have something real to remember you by.
You believe the people you love most deserve a place of honor in your home.
Then yes—you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.
“The portrait painting Breanne created hangs above my mantle—and every time I pass by, I feel proud.
It’s more than a picture. It holds my heart.”
— tIFFANY, lEGACY CLIENT
Whether painted by Breanne’s hand or produced through our artisan Italian print lab, your portrait is custom-crafted for longevity. Each commission includes styling, professional hair & makeup, in-home design consultation, and expert framing options curated to suit your space.
WHAT WE'RE KNOWN FOR
01
We Begin With Legacy
We don’t start with a backdrop—we start with your story. Your space, your home, your heart. We ask: what do you want to remember? What do you want your children to see on your walls?
02
We Focus on Presence
Perfection isn’t the goal. Presence is. We guide you through every step so that what’s captured isn’t just how you look—but how you love, live, and belong.
03
We End With Art
Everything we create is made to be lived with. Hand painted portraits. Gilded frames. Real legacy. This is the kind of artwork that will outlast us—and speak for you long after you’re gone.
01
Before we photograph, we design.
We start with an in-home consultation to view your space, discuss wardrobe, and map out where your final portrait will live. This allows us to plan everything—from your pose to your framing—with intention. Because a true heirloom doesn’t happen by accident.
02
Your portrait begins before the first frame is taken.
Enjoy professional hair and makeup, guided posing, and styling that’s tailored to your aesthetic and vision. You’ll feel confident, relaxed, and beautifully seen. Every detail—from your expression to the lighting—is crafted with your final artwork in mind.
03
This is where photography becomes fine art.
After your session, you’ll return to select the image that will become your painted or pigment portrait. Each piece can then be custom-framed in Italian or American moulding and finished to museum standards. The final result: timeless artwork designed to outlast generations.
“A portrait painting is more than art—it’s an act of devotion. It says: this person mattered. This moment was worth preserving. And this legacy will not be forgotten.”
— William Branson III, M. Photog. Cr., Fellow - ASP, A-BIPP, A-RPS, MPP-MPI Breanne's Mentor
Inquire & Connect
We begin with a quick call to talk about your vision, your home, and the story you want this portrait to tell.
In-Home Design Consultation
We visit your home to view your space and design your session with the final artwork in mind. This is where we choose wardrobe, color palette, and location inspiration.
Session Day
Professional hair and makeup. Full styling. Gentle posing direction. You’ll feel confident and comfortable in front of the camera—no experience needed.
The Image Reveal
You’ll return to the studio for your private image reveal, where we’ll help you choose the portrait that will be transformed into a painting.
Artwork & Framing
Your chosen image is transformed into a painted portrait—either hand-finished in oils by Breanne or printed using artisan pigment processes. Each piece is refined, archival, and made to last for generations.
Delivery & Installation
We’ll hand-deliver your finished artwork and offer complimentary installation. This final step makes it real: your story, honored on the wall.
CASE STUDIES
The Mother's Mantle Portrait
A Painted Legacy for Generations
Sawyer and Bear: A tale of love.
ALL the PRETTY DETAILS
Timeline
Great portraits take time.
Hand-painted oil commissions require a minimum of 6 months from session to delivery. We recommend booking well in advance—especially if your portrait is tied to a meaningful date or event.
Availability
Fewer portraits. Greater intention.
We accept a very limited number of painted portrait commissions each year to maintain the integrity of the experience and artwork. Priority is given to early inquiries and returning clients.
Investment
This is art that lasts longer than a lifetime.
To reserve your session, a $1700 retainer is required—$1000 of which goes toward your final commissioned piece. Painted portraits begin at $5000, with most clients investing between $7500–$15,000 for their completed work.
KIND WORDS
“Our Portrait Artist-Breanne came to my home and helped me design everything—from the wall placement to a day of shopping for the perfect gowns!”
“I felt completely taken care of. And the final portrait… it’s the one I hope my great-grandchildren will treasure one day. It’s elegant, timeless, and it feels like me. Truly, this was the portrait experience of a lifetime.” — Jill, Legacy Client
“The portrait Breanne created is more than art—it’s my legacy, captured. My children will grow up seeing it and knowing how deeply they are loved.”
It hangs above our fireplace now, and every time I walk by, I feel proud.— Tiffany, Legacy Client
Frequently asked questions
Do you travel for commissions outside Birmingham?
Yes. We serve Alabama and the Southeast, including Fairhope, Huntsville, Madison, Auburn, and beyond.
Where do you find your artistic inspiration?
As some of the top portrait artists in Birmingham, AL, our painted portraits are deeply influenced by the Old Masters, including Van Dyck and Sargent, as well as contemporary legends like Phillip Stewart Charis. This classical foundation informs our use of light, posing, and palette—and ensures your portrait is created with the same reverence and technique as historical fine art.
Do you offer painted portraits for brides, debutantes, or high school seniors?
Yes. We offer a limited number of society portraits each year, including bridal heirlooms, debutante sittings, and fine art senior commissions. These sessions are styled with care, guided with intention, and elevated to feel both youthful and timeless.
Can you create painted portraits for professionals and public figures?
Yes. We regularly accept commissions for corporate portraits, including attorneys, judges, physicians, university deans, clergy, and government leaders. These portraits are often displayed in boardrooms, chambers, and academic halls, and may be created as full-length, ¾-length, or head-and-shoulders pieces. We’ll guide you through every step—from wardrobe to background selection.
Can more than one person be included in a single portrait?
Absolutely. Whether it’s a parent with their children, siblings, or a multigenerational legacy piece, we specialize in creating group compositions that feel timeless, elegant, and emotionally connected.
What styles and formats do you offer?
We offer full-length, ¾-length, and traditional head-and-shoulders portraits. Sessions can be done in-studio or on location—including environmental portraits within your home, office, or estate. Every decision is guided by where and how the artwork will live.
We accept a limited number of commissions to ensure every portrait gets the care it deserves. Inquire now or explore the portfolio to begin.
View the Portfolio
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