What Actually Happens in an Audio Portrait Interview?
People are often looking for ways to stay present, savor the moment, and keep memories forever.
With our Audio Portraits, you can give yourself or a loved one an experience that speaks to love, legacy, and presence, all while preserving precious memories in a lasting way. But if you've never heard of an audio portrait before, you're likely wondering… how does it work?
This blog will take you behind the scenes of our process at Quince Studios. Whether you're feeling curious, nervous, or unsure, know that our approach is human-first, story-led, and gently guided every step of the way.
How Audio Portraits Work
Creating an Audio Portrait is a collaborative, thoughtful, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here’s what to expect.
Booking & Discovery
After you’ve purchased an Audio Portrait, we’ll be in touch to schedule your session and answer any questions you may have.
This is where we learn a little more about what brings you to Quince. Whether it’s a wedding gift, a milestone birthday, or simply the right time in life to pause and reflect.
You don’t need to know or prepare what stories you’ll share. Many people come in unsure, and that’s part of the process. This call or email simply helps sets the stage so you feel comfortable, supported, informed and ready when the time comes to begin your Audio Portrait.
Pre-Session Planning
As the interview approaches, preparation will be done on both sides— yours and ours.
On your end, there’s very little to do. If the portrait is online, you might set aside a quiet space, adjust your headphones, or pour yourself a cup of tea.
If it’s in person, you might dress up, take a calming walk, or even plan to meet a friend afterwards. We just want you to arrive feeling comfortable and present.
Behind the scenes, we’re preparing a thoughtful framework for your session. Our prompts are inspired by the work of psychologist Professor Dan McAdams, who studied how people shape their lives into stories. We’ve adapted his insights into something intuitive and conversational, designed to ease you into reflection without pressure. This preparation helps us open the “memory doors” that lead to stories you may have not remembered to tell.
The Interview Itself
This is where the magic happens.
The session takes place either online or in-person depending on the package, and it unfolds like a conversation. We focus on presence over perfection. There’s space for long pauses, laughter, and even emotion.
We believe the best stories are not rehearsed but revealed. The interview will be taken slowly, with honesty and care. We are here to hold space with you while you tell your story.
The Art of the Interview
Our conversation will be carefully led, meant to listen deeply and ask the right questions at the right time. Some of the prompts we use include:
“Walk me through your ideal day”
“What’s the theme of your life?”
“What was a turning point in your life?”
In the interview, the magic will arrive in unexpected ways, through the pauses, laughter, and stories you didn’t remember until they were pulled back up.
After the interview, we get to work on editing the audio. We enhance the natural rhythm and clarity of the conversation while preserving the emotional feeling of the storyteller.
The Guided Interview Process with Quince
At Quince, we often say the question isn’t who an Audio Portrait is for. It’s when.
It’s when someone is in a reflective season of life. From a birthday, a turning point, or even a moment of grief or healing.
As one client put it after their session: “It’s not therapy, but it’s therapeutic.”
In fact, our very first Audio Portrait was recorded by Quince founder Essie with her own father. Here’s what she had to say about this interview, in her own words.
“For the next 90 minutes, my Dad and I went on an emotional journey, filled with highs and lows, loss and love. There was a moment when we paused so I could give him a hug, and at times I wiped away tears of laughter…”
When she later sent him the final edited version, he responded simply: “Geeze Ess, this is pretty special.”
That’s what we aim for every time.
Ready to Preserve Either You or Someone’s Story in Their Own Words?
Whether you’re giving this experience to a loved one or receiving it yourself, the heart of an Audio Portrait is the same: to preserve the essence of who someone is, in a way no other medium can.
Explore Our Audio Portrait Packages or reach out to learn more about the guided interview process that makes it all happen.
