-- For thirty years, Letchford Portraitist has operated entirely through private referrals, creating bespoke family portraits for clients who value discretion and exclusivity. The studio has now revealed it will open up select commissions to the United Arab Emirates via a private release specific for the region.
With an annual client cap of 30 families globally, 94 percent of whom return yearly, the studio caters exclusively to ultra-wealthy households, many featured on lists like the Forbes Richest. Each commission, reported to be around $50,000-$150,000 and more, transforms family moments into large-scale art installations and archival-grade books.
"What we create transcends typical notions of family portraiture," explains Letchford. "We produce emotional, connection-rich images that stand as fine art pieces in collections alongside works by renowned artists. These are not photos that sit in albums, they are installed as major art pieces and bound in bespoke art books that become family heirlooms."
The process begins with intensive planning and ends with custom installations in clients' homes, with each commission involving weeks of preparation and execution. The final products, large-format portraits, custom-bound art books, and complete installations, serve as artistic documentation of family histories that match the aesthetic standards of clients who are often serious art collectors.
Letchford Portraitist has been famously tight lipped when it comes to interviews, or media engagement, building its reputation solely through client referrals over three decades. This strategic silence has contributed to its mystique among the ultra-wealthy, who value exclusivity and discretion. The studio maintains strict privacy protocols, never sharing client identities or displaying intimate work online.
“The relationship between us and our families is sacred and a crucial part of our creative process, it’s what shapes the art pieces we create and makes them truly one of a kind,” says Letchford.
The studio's decision to establish a presence in the UAE comes as it seeks to diversify its clientele and explore their artistic process in collaboration with the family centric Arab families. "We don’t like to stand still creatively and diving into new cultures provides new perspectives on our artistic approach benefiting our long term clientele in the process. The UAE presents a unique opportunity to work with families who value both tradition and artistic excellence," he notes.
Letchford added: “We look forward to absorbing the traditions and relationships in the homes of such culture rich families, and turning them into works of art.” Royal families and high-net-worth individuals in this region often have rich histories that deserve documentation through art that matches their stature.
What separates Letchford Portraitist from other high-end photographers is its singular focus on turning family documentation into true artistic heirlooms. While celebrities and the ultra-wealthy might commission other artists for portraiture, Letchford claims to occupy a unique niche by combining photographic expertise with fine art sensibilities and permanent historical documentation.
With a closed client list the artist only releases new commissions to expand his artistic visions looking for challenges and inspiration not yet experienced creatively. Commissions are often passed down through generations as tangible family legacies. Each commission represents months of work, from initial consultation to final installation.
As part of its UAE expansion, Letchford Portraitist will introduce its philosophy to select families through private events, continuing its personal introductions rather than the public marketing tradition. This measured growth maintains the exclusivity that has defined the brand while allowing for careful expansion.
The selection process for new clients remains rigorous. Once families pass the initial enquiry stage, the Letchford’s personally interview each potential client, assessing their commitment to artistic documentation and the complexity of the family narrative they wish to capture. This selective process allows the studio to maintain its limited annual capacity while producing work of exceptional quality.
Despite operating largely out of public view, Letchford has quietly influenced the field of family portraiture, elevating it from documentation to artistic expression. The studio's work challenges conventional notions of family photography by placing it within the context of fine art and historical record-keeping.
The studio's methods remain closely guarded, with techniques developed over decades of working with distinguished families worldwide. This proprietary process yields results competitors cannot replicate, creating a distinct market position for Letchford Portraitist.
Those interested in learning more about commissioning works must receive a referral from existing clients or submit a potential commission request for review and suitability, maintaining the studio's established protocol of exclusivity and privacy.
About Letchford Portraitist
Letchford Portraitist, led by Geoff Letchford, is a 30-year-old atelier that creates photographic commissions for very high-net-worth families worldwide. The photographs are turned into art pieces and art books to record family history.
Contact Info:
Name: Geoff Letchford
Email: Send Email
Organization: Letchford Portraitist
Address: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Website: https://geoffletchford.com/
Release ID: 89159826
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