How to Add a Deceased Loved One to a Family Photo

Some family pictures can never be taken: a grandfather holding the grandchild he never met, a mother at her daughter's wedding, the whole family together one last time. More and more people look for a way to add a loved one who has passed away to a family photo. This guide explains the four ways to do it, what each costs in time and money, and how to choose photos that give a natural result.

Four ways to add a loved one to a photo

1. Edit the photos yourself

With a photo editor such as Photoshop you can cut a person out of one photo and place them in another. It is free if you already have the software, but hard to get right: differences in light, sharpness and color make the added person stand out, especially when an old photo meets a new one.

2. Hire a photo editor

Freelance photo editors and Etsy sellers offer this as a service. Prices and quality vary a lot, and you usually wait a few days for a first version. Ask for examples where an old photo was combined with a recent one.

3. Use an AI photo app

AI apps can merge people into one photo in seconds. The results can look convincing, but faces sometimes change subtly, which matters a great deal when it is someone you miss. Check the result carefully before you print it.

4. Combine the photos in a painted portrait

When the photos are turned into one painting, everyone is painted in the same style, so the differences between an old snapshot and a new photo disappear. That is why a painted portrait often feels more natural than an edited photo. With Paint Your Family you upload up to four photos, choose a style and see a free preview before you decide.

How to choose the photos

• The face matters most. Choose the photo where your loved one's face is clearest, even if it is not the nicest moment.
• Similar angles blend best. Two people photographed from the front combine more naturally than one in profile and one facing the camera.
• Old photos are fine. Scanned prints and photos from decades ago usually work, as long as the face is reasonably sharp. Scan at a good resolution rather than photographing the print at an angle.
• Avoid sunglasses and hats if you have a choice, and pick a photo without heavy filters.

Which style to choose

Impressionist gives soft brushstrokes and warm colors, which many families find comforting for a memorial portrait. Renaissance creates a classic, dignified portrait that suits grandparents and anniversaries. Modern stays closest to the original photos. Because the preview is free, you can try more than one.

Ideas that families choose

• A grandparent together with a grandchild born after they passed away
• A parent added to a wedding or graduation photo
• The whole family together for a milestone anniversary
• A beloved dog or cat back in the family portrait; see our pet memorial portraits

Giving it with care

A portrait like this touches a sensitive place. If it is a gift, think about the timing: many people give it on a birthday, an anniversary or the first holidays after a loss. When in doubt, ask a close family member first. If you are looking for a gift for a grieving friend, our sympathy gift page has more ideas.

What it costs

The preview is free. If you like it, a fine art print starts at $59, a canvas at $119 and a framed canvas at $164. Prints arrive within 2-5 business days in the United States, and shipping is free on orders over $75. Read more about memorial portraits.