The image above may look like it's in black and white but if you look really closely you'll see it's actually in subtly different tones of one colour (in this case: yellow).
This is what's known as a duotone print. Not every sort of portrait and background lends itself to this approach, but when they are appropriate they can be spectacular.
This is just one choice to bear in mind if you want a truly memorable and unique heirloom portrait that can be handed down through the family.