Portrait Investment & Pricing
Kevin G. Saunders creates hyperrealistic Signature Portraits designed to become lasting family heirlooms. Each portrait is made with great care and skill at KGS Studios, capturing your unique presence so your legacy can be remembered for generations.
A Guide to Commissioning Your Legacy
Choosing to invest in a significant work of art takes careful thought. This guide will help explain the process, answer your key questions, and give you a clear plan for your family’s next heirloom.
Solving the First Problem: The Myth of the “Big, Empty Wall”
Almost every new client who visits the KGS Studios says, “I love this, but I just don’t have the wall space.” Saunders always replies, “What if you were given an original Rembrandt? You would find a place for it.”
The real question is whether your legacy is worth making space for. A true legacy portrait is more than just decoration; it becomes a focal point in your home. We work with you to plan for this important addition and find the best place for it.
Another essential point about fine art placement is that a portrait’s impact depends on how far away you view it. A 30×40-inch portrait in a small study can feel just as powerful as a larger statement piece in a big room. We help you understand how size, perspective, and emotion work together when planning your portrait.
Understanding Scale & Impact: The Power of Presence
What makes a portrait feel powerful isn’t the frame, but how large the subject’s face appears. If the face is about the size of your fist, it feels far away. If it’s as big as your open hand, it feels present and almost lifelike. This is how we create a “life-size” effect that stands out in any room. While many photographers crop tightly and make large faces on small prints, we take a different approach. We compose for the full figure, which is more challenging but lets us create actual Statement Pieces at any size.
The Investment Levels
The Signature Collection: Statement Pieces
The price of your Statement Piece depends on its longest side. During your design consultation, we’ll meet in our atelier and use our projection system to determine the best shape and size for your portrait. This way, the composition and custom framing are made just for you.
If you commission a Statement Piece that is 50 inches or larger, you’ll also receive complimentary on-site hair and makeup services. This helps make your experience better and gives Kevin more artistic information to work with.
- 120″ Statement Piece: Print starts at $110,000
- 108″ Statement Piece: Print starts at $90,000
- 96″ Statement Piece: Print starts at $75,000
- 84″ Statement Piece: Print starts at $62,500
- 72″ Statement Piece: Print starts at $50,000
- 60″ Statement Piece: Print starts at $40,000
- 50″ Statement Piece: Print starts at $30,000
- 40″ Statement Piece: Print starts at $20,000
The Legacy Starter Collection
For more intimate spaces or as an entry into the KGS collection, these pieces offer the same artistic integrity in a smaller format.
| Print Size, in Inches | Print Price | 3” Frame | 4” Frame | 5” Frame | 6” Frame |
| 24 x 30 | $15,000 | $918 | $1,080 | $1,242 | $1,944 |
| 20 x 24 | $10,000 | $748 | $880 | $1,012 | $1,584 |
| 16 x 20 | $7,000 | $675 | $792 | ||
| 11 x 14 | $4,000 | $475 | $550 | ||
| 8 x 10 | $2,000 | $260 |
The Art of the Finish: Embellishment, Framing & Lighting
A Choice of Texture for Color Portraits
For color portraits that are 24×30-inches or larger, you can choose between two surface finishes. Some collectors like the natural, textured look of the archival canvas. Others prefer a hand-applied brushstroke finish by artist Toni Saunders, which gives the portrait a classic, tactile feel.
A Commitment to Clarity: Framing Without Glass
Every portrait, no matter the finish, is protected with a strong archival coating, so there’s no need for glass. We believe that glass adds weight, cost, and unwanted reflections that detract from the art’s presence. Your heirloom is displayed clearly, allowing you to connect with it just as you would in a museum.
Professional Presentation
For all commissions 24×30 inches or larger, we include a traditional hand-lettered 22-karat gold-leaf nameplate and a classic frame light at no additional cost to complete your heirloom.
For the highest level of museum-quality presentation, we offer a custom LED lighting option. After your portrait is finished, a specialist will paint the light housing to match your frame and adjust the lenses to evenly light your portrait, without causing heat or UV damage. We can discuss this further during your consultation.
Our Commitment to Transparency
To keep things clear, we set the print price first. Custom framing is planned in conjunction with the design process. At the start of every consultation, we review a full framing price list with you, so there are no hidden costs or surprises—just a straightforward, collaborative path to your finished portrait.
If you prefer, call 210-853-5993