About Opaline
A house of
portraiture
Houston, by appointment.
The finished
portrait
Opaline is a portrait destination in Houston for families, children and women. We plan every sitting around the finished piece, then direct, light and finish each portrait by hand.
We believe a portrait isn't finished until it's framed, bound or held. That's where the work ends, and where it begins to matter.
The name
Why Opaline
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, some studio portraits were printed on opal glass, a milky white glass that gave skin a soft, porcelain glow. Many of these opalotypes were set in gilt frames lined with red velvet, and museums still hold them today.
Opaline borrows the name and the standard: portraits made as heirlooms, meant to outlast us.
The founder
Led by Nena Elizabeth
Opaline is led by Nena Elizabeth, a creative director who has spent seventeen years directing portrait experiences in Houston. Her team brings that same care to every sitting, from the planning call to the final frame.
Every sitting is directed
You'll never wonder where to stand or what to do with your hands.
Every portrait is finished
Printed, framed and bound by hand, not left on a hard drive.
Every client is known
One family or one woman at a time, planned around you.
Begin your
experience
We would love to welcome you to Opaline.