Hand-Lettered Names & Dates
From £45
A single line of gilded lettering set beneath the photograph, giving names, a date or a short dedication a permanent place on the mount.
Bespoke Artistry for Your Cherished Memories
Ask Our TeamA Legacy of Artistry and Light
In the medieval scriptoria, to illuminate a manuscript was never simply to decorate a page. It was to use gold leaf, vivid pigment and fine brushwork to create pages that seemed to glow from within.
Illumination was made for permanence, for ceremony, and for the dignity of being looked at slowly. Centuries later, the same intent guides our hand.
Hand illumination is the moment at which photography yields, briefly and deliberately, to the human hand. The captured image is extended, so that names, dates, crests and insignia become part of the photograph's formal presence rather than an addition to it.
Why Hand Illumination
The romance of illumination lies in its patience: in the careful hand, in the way light moves across a gilded surface, in the vitality of an art that feels at once ancient and newly made. Today it speaks of beauty slowly achieved, and of the quiet dignity of things fashioned by hand.
For institutions and families alike, it offers something increasingly rare. A work that carries the trace of its making, composed line by line with an artisan who understands both tradition and proportion.
A Guide to Pricing
Every commission is quoted individually, once we have seen the photograph and talked through your wording. The figures below are a guide to where each option begins.
Painted Crest or Coat of Arms
From £85
A school, college or family crest rendered by hand in full colour and burnished gold, positioned to sit in balance with the image.
Full Illumination
From £180
A composed border of lettering, crest and decorative detail worked across the mount. The most complete expression of the craft.
Prices exclude framing. Ask us about mounts, glazing and hand-finished frames to complete the piece.
Each illuminated piece is one of a kind. It carries the authority of something made carefully, and made to last.
Whether it marks a milestone, a memory or a message, an illuminated work honours the artistry of the past and the significance of the present. It is made to be kept, revisited and handed on, from this generation to the next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can be illuminated?
Names, dates, school and college crests, coats of arms, mottoes and short dedications. If you have a particular emblem or wording in mind, our team will advise on what sits best alongside the photograph.
How long does a commission take?
Because every piece is drawn by hand, we ask for time rather than promise a fixed turnaround. Once we have discussed what you need, we will give you a realistic date, and we will always tell you early if a deadline looks tight.
Is each piece really unique?
Yes. Nothing is printed or automated. The work is composed by hand for your photograph alone, which is why no two illuminated pieces are ever the same.
Can we see the design before it is finished?
For most commissions we agree the layout and wording with you first, and share progress where it helps. The gilding and hand-work are completed once the design is confirmed.
How do we start a commission?
Send us an enquiry using the form below, with a few details about the occasion and the photograph. Our team will talk you through the options and prepare a quotation.
Begin a Commission With Us
Tell us about the occasion and the photograph you would like illuminated. Our team will guide you through wording, crests and finishes, and prepare a quotation with no obligation.