Memory Portraits
Recreate the moments that matter most
Upload a photo of someone you love. Describe a moment with them you'll never forget. We'll paint it — tenderly, faithfully, and beautifully — into a personalised portrait you can hold, hang, and pass down.
Heirloom-quality · Memorial-friendly · Worldwide shipping
See the magic
Drag to see your loved one painted
A photograph on one side, a hand-finished painting on the other. Real examples — slide to compare.
Memories to spark yours
A few words is all it takes. Here's how other people describe theirs:
- "My grandfather teaching me to fish"
- "My mother holding me as a child"
- "A memory of my family home in the 90s"
- "Walking through London with my father"
- "A memorial portrait of my grandmother in her garden"
- "My parents on their wedding day"
Memories, painted
Real moments, painted into timeless artwork. Each piece is hand-finished and made just for one family.
Held
A mother and her child in the morning kitchen — painted from a single phone photo.
Her garden
A memorial portrait of a grandmother amongst the roses she loved.
Walks with Dad
A father and grown-up child walking home through London at dusk.
How it works
- Step 1
Upload photos
One clear photo of the person — or several. Old prints, scans, phone pictures, anything works.
- Step 2
Describe the memory
A few words. Where they were, what they were doing, the light, the feeling.
- Step 3
Choose a style
Soft oil, classical portrait, gentle watercolour — chosen to suit the moment.
- Step 4
Preview the painting
Faces preserved exactly. Only the medium changes — photo into painting.
- Step 5
Keep it forever
Download the high-res file, or order a framed heirloom print to hang or gift.
Painted with care, kept for generations
Upload a photo. Describe a moment. See someone you love painted into a memory you'll keep forever.
Create a memory portraitWhat families say
"I had it framed and gave it to my dad on the anniversary of mum's passing. He held it and didn't say a word for a long time. He's hung it above his armchair."
"A painting of my grandparents on their wedding day, recreated from a faded black and white photo. It's the most meaningful gift I've ever given my mum."
"We had the house I grew up in painted with my parents standing in the doorway. My children will inherit it one day. It's beyond price."
Frequently asked
Is this appropriate for someone who has passed away?
Yes — memorial portraits are one of the most meaningful uses of Paintory. Many families create one in the days and weeks after a loss, or on a birthday or anniversary. We treat every commission with care.
Will the painting actually look like them?
Yes. Likeness is our highest priority. We preserve the face shape, features, hair, skin tone and distinguishing details so the person is unmistakably them — only the medium changes.
What if the photo is very old or damaged?
Old, faded and even partially-damaged photos work well. Our painters re-imagine the scene around the person, so a small or imperfect photo can still become a beautiful, large painting.
Can I order copies for the wider family?
Yes. Many customers order three to ten framed prints to share with parents, siblings, children and grandchildren — especially for memorial or anniversary gifts.
Is my photo private?
Yes. Your uploads and the painting created from them are yours alone. We never share or display memorial or family portraits publicly.
What sizes do framed prints come in?
From A4 up to A2 framed (roughly 60 × 42 cm). You always see and approve the painting before adding a print or frame.
More memories