Family Sessions

Studio Portraits at our historic South Temple mansion can be scheduled anytime, rain or shine.  We have several options for settings, from light, airy rooms for casual portraits, to rich painterly backdrops.  In-studio portraits can be accomplished for groups up to 75 people or so.

Garden Portraits here on our property are very popular from May to October.  Every year we add a new garden setting with families in mind.  Late-morning sessions offer ideal light for groups during the summer time.  In the fall, almost time of day works.  We have some pretty amazing tricks for adding “sunshine’ on dark days, so we rarely ever have to cancel for weather.

Our Nearby Location Portraits offer you some wonderful Utah scenery for your portrait, from mountain settings to soft grass savannahs.  These change by season, but generally, we like to schedule locations sessions in the last hour of daylight.  Ask about our current favorite locations because we keep discovering new ones!

Home Portraits can be personal and story-telling images.  A home portrait can be created in the yard, with your house, softly in the background, or inside relaxing in your favorite room.  We have 50 years experience adding soft flattering light to any situation, so leave the lighting up to us.  Most often, we schedule outdoor home portraits for late in the afternoon or evening.  Indoor sessions can be done anytime but are best in daylight, so that your windows glow and rooms feel full of light.

Upon request, we will you send you all of our Busath Color Palettes, complete with color swatches and examples of families dressed in each of nine different palettes.

Some helpful advice about dressing for a Timeless Family Portrait:

Begin with Neutral Fabrics

Start with solid (or lightly textured) outfits in one of the Color Palettes below.  Add a minimal splash of color and pattern with the children’s outfits or adult’s accessories (ie: a shirt or blouse under a jacket, a scarf, jewelry, etc).

Don’t Mix Whites and Darks

Unify the group with a “dark-on-dark” mix of clothing, (OR) a mix of “light-on-light” tones.

Do not mix dark and light tops and bottoms. Especially in larger groups, this can create a “cluttered” look.  Ideally, no outfit will compete for attention with your beautiful faces.

Avoid Bold Patterns or Logos

Experience shows that strong patterns and stripes can date a portrait quickly.  For a timeless and more artistic effort, employ solids and subtly textured fabrics.

To Slenderize

Dark clothing tends to slenderize. Longer sleeves are generally more flattering than short cap sleeves. Wearing the same tone on top and bottom tends to lengthen and slenderize your body visually.

Eye Glasses

People who wear their glasses all day often want to keep them on for their portrait.  Glasses, however, can produce glare and reflections covering the eyes. This is not retouchable. Anti-reflective coating helps greatly to reduce the reflections. Otherwise we recommend borrowing a similar pair of empty frames from your optometrist, or going without.

For a Natural Look

Layering with sweaters and jackets adds depth and dimension to your portrait.  Layers can also allow you to move more naturally and look more comfortable.  Outdoor portraits are best with “outdoor” casual outfits, which allow you to sit on the ground if needed. Consider jean-style pants and long, flowing skirts for this reason.

For a Formal Portrait

For a stunning formal portrait start with a blend of rich, understated colors. Add a little dark-on-dark pattern with accessories. Don’t be afraid to spice it up with a color splash, flattering necklines and jewelry. Layers of darker tones work well to simplify the overall look, while adding depth.

Lay it All Out

Try laying out everyone’s clothing in the room where your portrait will live. Replace outfits and add accessories until you achieve a complimentary and exciting look for that room. After laying out your clothing choices, take a quick snapshot with your phone. This can be helpful when sharing information with other family members and when shopping for the rest of the family.

Finally… Bring Options

We highly recommend bringing extra clothing options for each member of your group.  Often we find that changing a top or bottom at the last minute can greatly improve your portrait design.

Studio or Garden Family sessions from $495

Nearby Locations, and Home sessions from $595

Locations outside of the Salt Lake area are available by quote.

One week after your session, final selections may be made with the help of our experienced portrait consultants Allison Staheli or Linda Smoot.  They will you help you choose the appropriate finish and size for your wall portraits, and they can help you get the most value in gift portraits, greeting cards and display prints.  This service is free of charge.

Portrait Canvases, Fine Art prints and Albums are priced separately and packages are available.

Retouching enhancement is included at no additional charge on all Busath Portraits.  Our in-house artists and print makers are among the most experienced anywhere in the world and will pay special attention to all your individual requests.

Please call us to schedule your session.

(801) 364-6645

701 East South Temple, Salt Lake City UT