Ever been stuck on how exactly to direct a family portrait session?

Ever been in a situation with a less-than-cooperative subject who is making everything difficult?

If so, this episode has your name all over it. 

Listen in as two family portrait photographers discuss our best tips, tricks and wild experiences in the trenches of photographing families of all sizes and kinds. 

Drake Busath is my guest this week. As the co-owner of the legendary Busath Photography in Salt Lake City, he’s one of our most popular guests on the podcast and he is bringing the goods this time with all his best directing tips.

What I think you’ll most enjoy is the different way we both approach a family session. Drake is chill, cool under pressure and go-with-the-flow. I am…..none of those things. And yet, we both manage to make our living photographing families. 

Drake shares how he is inspired by Hollywood legends like Ron Howard and Steven Spielberg, sharing his journey from architectural and food photography to the world of family portraits.

He also discusses his unique approach to directing, balancing classical techniques with fresh ideas.

We chat about everything from effective prompts and handling difficult situations to the importance of maintaining energy throughout a shoot. Drake also reveals how he blends control with collaboration to capture authentic moments.

Plus, we touch on the business side of things and how to build a photography brand that’s both successful and uniquely your own. 

If you have ever wondered how to keep your family portraits dynamic and engaging or how to behave when two teenage boys decide to punch it out in the middle of a family session, this episode is for you. Drake’s experiences and tips offer a fresh perspective that could transform the way you approach your next session.

Let's Do It!

In this episode, you will learn:

• How to blend classical posing techniques with a fresh, dynamic approach to keep family portraits engaging!
• Strategies for handling challenging children during shoots, including playful and creative methods
• The importance of capturing genuine interactions and emotions to create meaningful, lasting portraits
• Tips for evolving your unique style by blending control with collaboration and drawing inspiration from famous movie directors
• Different business approaches in photography, from luxury to retail models, and how they impact success!

Here’s a glance at this episode:

• [3:06] - As a second-generation portrait photographer, Drake was influenced by his father's 50-year career.
• [4:53] - Drake admires ATJ's style and appreciates their different approaches in family photography.
• [7:46] - Drake shares how, over time, boredom drove him to push beyond client expectations.
• [8:37] - Drake values feedback from peers and colleagues over client critiques.
• [11:28] - Inspired by other industries and by the book Culinary Artistry, ATJ strives for artistry while delivering enjoyable experiences.
• [12:57] - Drake prefers a team approach for business flexibility, inspired by his father's legacy.
• [15:42] - Drake has observed a surge in photography businesses, with increased activity especially at popular scenic spots.
• [17:30] - Hear how Drake learned to balance control with collaboration, guiding clients with descriptive cues.
• [19:54] - To capture authentic moments, Drake directs families to interact naturally and adjust poses minimally.
• [22:24] - Drake adjusts his speaking volume to maintain children’s attention and varies it to avoid becoming background noise.
• [25:13] - ATJ evolved her approach from raising neurodivergent children, using creative incentives like rewards for behavior.
• [26:41] - Drake contrasts different methods of handling challenging children and notes how his son’s playful approach adds depth to portraits.
• [29:04] - For teens, ATJ subtly shows affection while maintaining their coolness.
• [30:14] - Drake describes how he assigns roles to clients like actors.
• [35:06] - Drake  suggests using camera stands for low angles to avoid gear issues.
• [37:18] - Using assistants for technical tasks and managing large shoots, Drake values creative engagement from photographers.
• [40:30] - Inspired by film directors like Spielberg and Eastwood, Drake uses humor and positive reframing to handle difficult situations.
• [42:10] - ATJ enforces strict boundaries during shoots, managing behavior and using humor to handle interference from parents.
• [45:52] - ATJ focuses on dynamic elements to keep shoots engaging, focusing on capturing personalities.
• [46:46] - Unique styles in photography are crucial; develop and embrace your own strengths and personality.
• [50:16] - Drake touches upon the importance of confidence.
• [53:05] - Focus on the unique details in pictures to celebrate the good times rather than focus on imperfections.
• [56:20] - Drake argues that the real value lies in recognizing and celebrating clients' uniqueness.
• [58:43] - Capture genuine relationships and interactions for enduring images that reflect real connections, not just fleeting trends.
• [1:01:56] - ATJ points out how authentic moments attract clients who value true stories, so mix traditional and unique images for wider appeal.
• [1:04:05] - Collaboration and understanding clients lead to natural interactions.
• [1:06:08] - Drake explains how beginning with a controlled approach, as with film, helps in refining your directing style and understanding your clients.
• [1:09:38] Drake believes that photographers should learn from directors like Ron Howard to master storytelling and direct effective portraits.
• [1:11:23] - Balancing control and collaboration in photography helps capture true stories.
• [1:13:41] - To manage young children, Drake balances objects on his head and uses playful discipline techniques.
• [1:15:32] - ATJ engages kids with jokes and playful discipline; a puppet or funny staff behavior tends to keep them entertained.
• [1:17:33] - Drake points out how teaching concepts to others reinforces your knowledge and how sharing success stories often leads to new ideas.
• [1:20:42] - Disrupt expected behavior by telling edgy stories to intrigue and engage children during sessions.
• [1:22:19] - ATJ shares a story of having allowed a distressed child some control, like a playful idea, which helped improve cooperation.

Click here to listen! [LINK TO THIS EPISODE]

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We’d love to hear your thoughts, suggestions and ideas! 

Links and Resources:

Download a Transcript

Transcending Trend with Drake Busath Episode #038

Marketing Right Now with Drake Busath ReWork Episode #079

Reading:

Book: Culinary Artistry by Andrew Dornenburg & Karen Page

Book: The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith

TV/Film:

Netflix Series: RIPLEY

Do The ReWork

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Allison Tyler Jones

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Drake Busath / Busath Photography

Website | Instagram | LinkedIn