If you asked my husband to pick his favorite piece of art in our home, he wouldn’t hesitate. It’s not paintings by paid artists like we have in the dining room or entryways, and not something expensive or flashy. It’s a custom child silhouette from photo—three simple profiles that somehow manage to hold our entire hearts.
This piece lives in his office now, and every time I walk in there, I’m reminded why it works so beautifully: it’s sentimental without being sweet, classic without being stuffy, and deeply personal without saying a word.
The way it’s framed also makes it look like expensive artwork – but really, it’s just simple cutout paper. But paper with major meaning to us.
How a Custom Child Silhouette From Photo Came Together
The process was almost laughably easy. No studio session. No matching outfits. No convincing kids to smile.
I found a business online called Hearts, Paper, Scissors. This is a woman owned small company so I already knew I wanted to support it.
A woman named Patti, who owns it, hand cuts the silhouettes herself. She’s so talented that she can do this based off of a photograph you send her! Or through a virtual session! She gives easy to follow instructions on her website for what she needs.
I had each child stand sideways and snapped a simple profile photo. That was it. I sent those photos to an artist who creates silhouette portraits of children by hand-cutting them from cardboard. When they arrived in the mail, I actually gasped. They were so precise and timeless—like something you’d expect to see hanging in an old historic home.
Minimal effort. Maximum payoff.
Framed Child Silhouettes (Because Framing Matters)
I knew immediately this wasn’t a “grab a frame from the shelf” situation. These silhouettes deserved something special, so I took them to our framer—yet another woman owned small business artwork studio run by four sisters. They do all my custom framing – even when I framed the first time my kids each wrote ‘Mommy’.
Together, we chose:
- A deep, dark matte background
- An elegant, slightly dramatic gold frame
- A float mount to add depth and shadow
- Each child’s name handwritten right onto the mat
The finished framed child silhouettes felt formal in the best way. Important. Like they belonged in a place where decisions are made and coffee is consumed thoughtfully (aka my husband’s office).
A Personalized Silhouette Keepsake (Loveys and All)
Here’s where it gets really personal. Two of my kids still have loveys—the stuffed animals they’ve loved forever (their names are Harry and Bubba if we’re getting really personal here) —and I asked them to hold those while standing in profile.
That one little detail transformed the artwork into a personalized silhouette keepsake. You don’t notice it at first glance, but once you see it, you can’t unsee it. It’s childhood captured quietly and perfectly.
Those loveys won’t last forever. This artwork will!
Why Silhouette Portraits of Children Just Work
There’s something magical about silhouettes. Without faces or expressions, you notice posture, proportions, and tiny details that instantly take you back in time. These silhouette portraits of children feel classic and grounded—yet somehow emotional in a way photos aren’t.
That’s exactly why this piece works so well in my husband’s office. The formal framing gives it gravitas, while the subject matter keeps it warm and personal. It says, Yes, I’m professional… and also deeply obsessed with my kids.
Sentimental Wall Art for Parents (That Doesn’t Feel Cheesy)
I love sentimental things—but I don’t love cheesy things. This is the sweet spot. This is sentimental wall art for parents that feels elevated, timeless, and grown-up.
I loved it so much that I extended it into gifts. I photographed the silhouettes, arranged them in Canva, and uploaded the image to an Etsy shop that makes custom photo mugs. Those mugs became gifts for my husband and grandparents—turning this one piece of art into something that could be enjoyed every day. These are among my favorite personalized coffee mug gifts to give!
Why Woman Owned Small Business Artwork Makes It Even Better
From the silhouette artist, to the framing studio, to the mug maker—this entire project supported woman owned small business artwork, and that felt just as meaningful as the final product.
When something is made thoughtfully, by people who care about their craft, you can feel it. And that care shows up every time we look at this piece.
Final Thoughts
This custom child silhouette from photo isn’t just art—it’s a moment in time, preserved quietly and beautifully. It’s proof that the most meaningful pieces in your home don’t have to be loud to be powerful.
Simple. Personal. A little sentimental.
Exactly the kind of artwork that deserves a place on the wall.
