Portraits by Aretae began with a simple observation: so often, the most meaningful photographs we own are the ones taken for us - weddings, milestones, occasions where time is formally marked. And yet, the quieter, everyday bonds that shape our lives are rarely captured with the same intention. This concept was created to offer something different - an opportunity to step in front of the lens, on your own terms, and preserve a moment that might otherwise pass undocumented.
Timed thoughtfully with Mother’s Day in mind, the inaugural experience was designed to honour motherhood in all its forms. Mothers are so often the ones behind the camera - framing, documenting, holding memory for others. Portraits by Aretae offered a gentle reversal: an invitation to be seen, alongside the people who matter most.
Hosted as a one-off portrait sitting with renowned photographer Liz Sunshine, the experience centred on her intuitive ability to capture people with honesty and ease. Each session was guided yet personal - shaped by those in front of the camera, whether mothers with young children, grown families, or intergenerational pairings. The result was a series of images that felt both refined and deeply intimate. The concept also speaks to the heart of Aretae.
Our signature frames have long been chosen to hold life’s most significant photographs, often wedding images—moments professionally captured, then preserved. Portraits by Aretae extends this offering: creating the opportunity for new memories to be documented with the same care, intention, and permanence.
Following each sitting, selected portraits were printed and framed in our signature Sloane or Clara frame duos, transforming a fleeting moment into a lasting object. Something to live with, to return to, and to hold meaning over time.
The women and families who took part were close friends of the brand - individuals who felt naturally aligned with Aretae and the spirit of the concept. Their presence shaped the tone of the experience: relaxed, sincere, and quietly celebratory.
While conceived as a moment around Mother’s Day, Portraits by Aretae is intended to evolve - an ongoing offering that continues to explore the connection between memory, image, and object.
Because the moments worth keeping are often the ones we don’t think to capture, until they’ve already passed.
