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Welcome!

Busath Studio & Gardens now spans 3 generations of Busaths. You’ll see Richard’s great smile behind the camera and Bromley running the technical end of our business.   The rest of our studio ”family” consists of 12 people to whom I owe a great thanks, some with me for over 20 years. Recently I was sidelined for a year or so, and these great folks didn’t seem to miss a beat. I’m delighted to be back behind the camera now with family and friends.

Our philosophy is simple. We believe portraits that last.

That means honest, elegant portraits without overly trendy frills and filtering.  It took us 5 decades to refine our style of lighting and composition, which we believe will stand the test of time.

Portraits that last also means using exacting printing methods and archival papers  here in our own lab, rather than sending out our prints like 90% of photographers do today.

I believe in subtle expression, eyes connecting with the viewer. Big smiles are overrated. I love helping children forget, momentarily, that they’re being photographed;  That’s when unfiltered expression pours out. I crave gesture and connection: I can swoon over a child’s head resting on her dad’s shoulder.  Still, after 30 years, the perfect lighting on a face can give me an inexplicable thrill.

Quality of light, natural positioning and honest expression. This is what makes a charming portrait, A Busath Fresh Classic portrait.  One that will last.

Best,
Drake Busath
Owner, Busath Studio & Gardens

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For 50 years and 3 generations, Busath photographers have worked to make beautiful, honest portraits. We’re not much into trends here. Maybe that’s why some people compare us more to painters than commercial photographers. We’ve made official portraits for Governors, Mayors, Religious leaders, even the President when he comes to town. Our portraits line the halls of Abravanel Symphony Hall (50 Portraits), University of Utah campus and hospital (40+ portraits), courts and public buildings around the state.

We have created images for over 70,000 clients. We’re proud to say that our photographs grace homes across the United States and even hang in the Photographic Hall of Fame.

Don Busath began his career in 1955, photographing assignments from portrait to fashion to aerial work. Don and Donna opened their own portrait studio on State Street and South Temple in 1973.

Drake Busath joined the business in 1981 and together they moved the main studio to it’s present location on historic South Temple Street. He eventually bought the business and expanded it to Provo, UT. Along with Drake, 6 talented photographers and a “family” of the best retouch artists, print-makers and consultants continue the traditions started 50 years ago.

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Our studios are in historic downtown homes in both Salt Lake and Provo, so we can offer you beautiful settings for your portraits.

In the Busath Gardens, we’ve created charming vignettes for small families and grand settings for large groups. Each is oriented for the most for flattering “sweet light”.

Stone steps, climbing ivy and flowering arches provide the backdrops here at our circa 1880 (Salt Lake studio)and 1875 (Provo studio) homes.

And when it’s cold outside, the fireplaces, a stained glass entry and fully equipped studios indoors provide a safe, warm comfortable environment.

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Coming soon…

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Fresh Classics

Start with classic clothing and an updated, more colorful, backdrop. Add Busaths’ famous “studio sweet light”. Stir in a more daring composition and more relaxed positions and expression. You get an image to rival any great oil painting, a portrait that will rule any room it hangs in.

These sessions are fun! They last about an hour, often with a clothing change and a few setup changes, because with spontaneity and a little extra time come fresh, original images.

Fine Art Black & White

A great Black & White portrait is 90% lighting. A B/W photographer applies light like paint, in layers. Digital equipment has not changed this lighting process, which takes years to master (some never do).

Drake practically grew up in the B/W darkroom, working for his father’s studio. With the advent of digital Drake had to find a new printing process to match the richness and tonal control he used to get with film. He found it. And exceeded it. Busath’s B/W prints today are as stunning and as archival as ever before.

Garden Portrait

We’ve built special gardens just for your portrait. (We got tired of waiting in line at the public parks for our turn to shoot) Come enjoy a flowering arch, climbing ivy, tulip beds and soft grasses, stone steps, a bridge, and a park-like yard, along with the porches and formal gardens of our 100 Year old homes. Special places for groups (up to 100) are positioned for stunning light, the kind that pops off the wall in your portraits.

No strip-mall settings here! Both our studios are in historic mansions where the ambience of the old home seeps into each portrait we create.

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