Romantic Fine-Art Portraiture
Step into another century for a portrait sitting unlike anything else in the region. This is portraiture, yes — but it is also play: a chance to dress up, step into character, and remember yourself as a creative being.
The Allen House Victorian Portrait Experience combines historic atmosphere, curated wardrobe, and professional portrait photography inside our restored 1896 Victorian home and gardens. Choose from formal parlor elegance, literary heroine drama, garden romance, Femme Noir mystery, or our grittier Grit & Grace workwear-inspired style.
Each sitting is created by former professional portrait photographer Bianca Benson and tailored to the person, the wardrobe, the season, and the rooms or grounds available that day.
Weekend sessions are reserved for overnight guests only due to wardrobe and bathroom space. Weekday sessions are open to the public. Limited dates available on the booking calendar. If there is a particular date you have in mind please contact us to discuss. Portrait sessions are available to locals, visitors, couples, friends, mothers and daughters, and anyone who would like to borrow a little time from another century.
Choose Your Portrait Style
Your final look will depend on wardrobe fit, styling, season, light, and the particular bit of magic you bring to the house. Most sessions can lean formal, romantic, moody, playful, powerful, or theatrical.
Formal Parlor
Classic Victorian elegance in the parlor, library, or by the fireplace. Polished, proper, refined, and timeless.
Literary Heroine
For the reader, dreamer, letter-writer, poet, or brooding main character. Think books, windows, velvet, lace, and just enough longing.
Garden Romance
Soft, floral, and wistful. Best in spring and summer when the gardens, veranda, orchard, and grounds are showing off.
Femme Noir
Dark, dramatic, cinematic, and self-possessed. A little mystery, a little power, a little “she knows exactly what she’s doing.” This look is best acheived in late evening. Select the last appointment in the day if this is the look you're going for.
Grit & Grace
A black-and-white, heritage workwear-inspired portrait style honoring resilience, labor, texture, and feminine strength. Less polished parlor, more dirt, wood, weather, and backbone. This look takes some getting dirty. We have selected wardrobe pieces that work for this but come from your garden or motorcycle ride. You need to look like you've just got off work from your dust bowl era farm labor job where you're paid a nickle a day.
Packages
The Instagram Moment — $125
60 minutes | access to wardrobe and grounds, weather permitting | take your own phone images
This is the lightest way to step into the wardrobe and play.
You’ll have access to select wardrobe pieces and designated photo areas on the Allen House grounds, weather permitting. This option is designed for guests who want a charming, self-guided moment with their own phone camera rather than a professionally photographed session.
Perfect for a little dress-up, a fun memory, a quick social post, or a low-pressure way to experience the magic.
Please note: this package does not include professional photography or edited images.
The Parlor Portrait — $225
30 minutes | one look | 5 edited images
A short and elegant portrait sitting for those who want a polished keepsake without a long session.
This introductory package includes one styled look and a brief professional portrait session in a designated interior or exterior location, depending on light, weather, and availability. You’ll receive 5 professionally edited images in an online gallery, with print ordering available directly through your gallery.
This is also our best guest add-on for overnight stays.
The Gilded Session — $525
2 hours | two looks | 20 edited images | house, veranda, garden, or farm setting
Our signature portrait experience.
The Gilded Session allows time for two distinct looks and a fuller range of portraits throughout the Allen House. Depending on your chosen style, wardrobe, weather, and the day’s light, we may photograph in the parlor, library, veranda, garden, orchard, or farm setting.
This session is ideal for anyone who wants a more complete, artful collection of images — formal, romantic, dramatic, powerful, or a little bit of everything.
Includes 20 professionally edited images in an online gallery, with print ordering available directly through your gallery.
The Society Sitting — $750+
Up to 4 people | group + individual portraits
For friends, couples, mothers and daughters, sisters, chosen family, or anyone who wants to make a memory together.
The Society Sitting includes portraits for up to four people, with a mix of group images and individual portraits. Styling may be coordinated around a shared theme, or each person may lean into their own character within the same session.
This is a beautiful option for birthdays, milestone moments, mother/daughter portraits, creative friend groups, couples, and special occasions.
Final pricing begins at $750 and may vary depending on group size, session length, styling needs, and final image collection.
What’s Included
Each professionally photographed session includes access to our curated Victorian-inspired wardrobe, light styling guidance, use of designated Allen House portrait locations, professional photography by Bianca Benson, hand-edited images, and a private online gallery.
Prints and keepsakes may be ordered directly through your gallery after your session.
Before You Book
Our wardrobe includes a growing collection of Victorian-inspired gowns, jackets, hats, gloves, shawls, and accessories. Sizing and fit vary by piece, so styling is guided by what works best for each guest.
Guests should arrive photo-ready. Professional hair and makeup are not included at this time, though styled hair and simple makeup are encouraged if that suits the look you want.
Portrait sessions are scheduled around inn operations, guest privacy, weather, and available light.
Booking Note for the Dropdown Page
Please choose your preferred package from the dropdown menu below. After booking, we’ll follow up to discuss your portrait style, wardrobe direction, timing, and whether you’re dreaming of parlor elegance, garden romance, Femme Noir drama, Literary Heroine softness, or Grit & Grace strength.
