Business Details
47 Years
experience
Heirloom Portrait Art & Storybooks in Lexington, KY
Greer Portrait Studio has been crafting timeless heirloom portraits since 1979, blending photographic expertise with traditional oil painting techniques. Founded by master photographer Winnie Greer, our studio spans three generations of artistic excellence, with Leeann Greer holding a photography degree from Brooks Institute and Kelly Greer Culp as a certified professional photographer. Our Lexington, Kentucky studio combines historic charm with modern technology, featuring iPad-controlled lighting and climate systems. We specialize in creating archival-quality portraits and storybooks that capture family legacies, using a proprietary multi-stage oil painting process that merges Old Masters' fundamentals with contemporary innovations. Each piece undergoes 6-8 months of meticulous hand-painting by Leeann Greer, finished with UV-protective lacquers for century-long durability.Our custom-crafted frames, made from solid wood with hand-applied gold leafing, complete these museum-quality artworks. With over four decades of experience, we've perfected the art of transforming photographic sessions into generational treasures, offering exclusive Santa portrait experiences and multigenerational family compositions. Our commitment to quality extends to every detail, from hand-lettered nameplates to curated fabric selections for portrait subjects. We maintain rigorous quality control throughout our creative process, ensuring each client receives a unique, hand-signed artwork that embodies their family's story. Our studio's Latin motto 'memor esto' guides our mission to help clients remember and honor their loved ones through enduring visual narratives.
Services
Portrait Photography
Oil Painting Art
Heirloom Storybooks
Custom Framing
Santa Portraits
Details
- Year established: 1979
Highlights and features
- Three generations of photographic expertise since 1979
- Proprietary oil painting process for archival-quality art
- Custom-crafted museum-grade frames with hand-applied gold leafing
- Exclusive Santa portrait experience with storybook creation
- Bachelor's degree-trained and certified professional photographers
Associations and certifications
- Certified Professional Photographer
What people say
Genuinely friendly
Exceptionally professional
Master at your craft
Prized possessions
Amazing artist
Services
Portrait Photography
Our photographic foundation captures precise likenesses using masterful lighting and composition techniques. Each session produces images that serve as the basis for our oil-painted masterpieces. We specialize in multigenerational family compositions and Santa-themed portraits with archival-quality results.
Oil Painting Art
Hand-painted portraits combine traditional oil techniques with modern archival methods. Each piece undergoes 6-8 months of meticulous brushwork, multiple protective lacquer layers, and hand-signed authentication to create century-lasting artworks with dynamic depth and dimension.
Heirloom Storybooks
Custom-created books merge photographic portraits with illustrated scenes and poetic narratives. These personalized storybooks capture family adventures and holiday traditions, designed to be cherished and passed through generations as living family history documents.
Custom Framing
Individually crafted frames use solid wood construction with hand-applied gold or silver leafing. Our proprietary patina finish and closed-corner design ensure museum-quality presentation that complements both traditional and contemporary interiors while protecting your artwork investment.
Santa Portraits
Exclusive Christmas Eve sessions feature Santa in his North Pole setting with personalized interactions. Children receive keepsake gifts while families capture nostalgic portraits and storybooks that become generational heirlooms, combining photography with magical storytelling elements.
People
Winnie Greer
Founder
Master photographer with 40+ years experience, discovered her passion photographing her daughters in 1979. Established the studio's artistic foundation and mentored three generations of family photographers.
Leeann Greer
Lead Artist
Bachelor's degree holder from Brooks Institute, personally creates each oil-painted masterpiece with 22K gold leafing details. Oversees the 6-8 month painting process that defines the studio's signature style.
Kelly Greer Culp
Certified Photographer
Certified Professional Photographer maintaining studio standards in both Lexington and her St. Croix destination location. Combines technical expertise with creative vision in both photographic and painted works.
Questions
What portrait styles do you offer?
We offer photographic portraits, oil-painted masterpieces, and heirloom storybooks combining both mediums with poetic narratives.
How long does artwork creation take?
Hand-painted portraits require 6-8 months for completion due to our multi-stage oil application and drying process.
Do you photograph extended families?
Yes, we accommodate multigenerational portraits including grandparents, cousins, and extended family members with additional session time.
What's included in Santa portrait sessions?
Our Santa experience includes milk and cookies, storybook reading, gift presentation, and iconic scene photography with keepsake gifts.
Can I purchase digital files?
We include matching digital files with all purchased portraits, but specialize in physical archival artworks rather than digital-only packages.