Well, hoping that that's not one of the reasons it's not "the best marriage", I nonetheless find these very personal perspectives most interesting, and when so well done, most impressive. I suppose the same impulse drives the boudoir/glamour photo market.

"Heirloom", though, probably not. But so what. Investment and legacy are merely two of many considerations in portraiture. I suspect most are commissioned for the immediate pleasure and gratification and honor.

Agreed.
 

Also, there was a weird era, when I began offering my portrait services among friends, that all of the females were going for nudes. I did three and oddly, they were rather specific that they did not mind if they were NOT very recognizable, in fact one told me it should only faintly resemble her.

I will immediatly call those "volunteers for poses" rather than subjects of a portrait, because I think it was the thought of just saying they had done it.

Also, TITANIC may have had something to do with it.