Adam Jackson has stated it was named Portraits for two reasons: "Firstly, the title track is based on the story of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, a cautionary tale of the beauty and frailty of life.

in April 2017, frontman Dani Winter-Bates disclosed that they plan to celebrate the album's tenth anniversary in some way once it comes about in 2019.

AllMusic gave the album a positive review, but saying: "Portraits isn't a five-star treasure, but it is still a cut above many of the screamo/post-hardcore/melodic hardcore releases of the late 2000s/early 2010s.

"[8] Phil Freeman of Alternative Press gave the album a 3 out of 5 stars, saying: "If you're wondering whether they bring anything unique or unexpected to the table, the answer is no.

"[2] Rock Freaks gave the album 8.5/10 and stated: "And yet it does not feel like plagiarism, but rather, like the coming together of influences that have then been channeled into writing songs that Bury Tomorrow can be proud to call their own.