Mastering Modern Family Photography: From First Contact to Final Edit Tired of chaotic sessions, stiff poses, and an editing queue that never ends? Mastering Modern Family Photography is a comprehensive 5-hour deep dive into building a sustainable, efficient, and profitable family photography brand. This course combines proven client communication strategies, real-world shooting techniques, and streamlined editing workflows, all centered around the unique approach that has made Twig & Olive one of the most recognizable names in unposed family photography.
We’ll begin with how to build a family photography brand that stands out in a saturated market, covering everything from styling guides and brand cohesion to long-term client retention with newborn and first-year packages. From there, we’ll break down an “unposed” family session using a full video demonstration of Doug in action, showing exactly how interaction and intention replace stiff direction and awkward prompts.
Finally, we’ll close the loop by walking through an editing workflow using Lightroom, Imagen, and Evoto with an emphasis on speed, consistency, and letting go of unnecessary perfectionism. You’ll leave with tangible tools to sharpen your session flow, improve client experience, and reclaim your post-processing time.
Course Structure:
Hour 1: Building a Family Photography Brand that Lasts
Hour 2: Client Styling, Session Planning, and First-Year Retention
Hour 3: Video Walkthrough – Real Family Session with Interactive Teaching
Lunch Break (45–60 minutes)
Hour 4: Editing Workflow: Lightroom, ACR, and Photoshop Techniques
Hour 5: Efficiency Deep Dive – File Handling, Culling, and Final Delivery Tips
Instructional Format:
Lecture with visual demos, video-based session breakdown, and live editing walkthrough. Bring your laptop if you'd like to follow along during the editing segment.
Doug's Bio
Doug Weittenhiller is the co-owner (along with his wife Courtney) and lead photographer at Twig & Olive Photography, a studio based in Madison, Wisconsin, renowned for its authenticity and distinctive style. With a master's degree in education and over a decade spent teaching photography across seminars, conferences, and professional associations, Doug combines technical mastery with a straightforward, engaging teaching style. Having photographed weddings and portraits in all 50 U.S. states and nearly 20 countries, his photography effortlessly merges global inspiration with local nuance. Doug strongly believes in keeping images natural and unposed, capturing genuine interactions that reflect real connections. Away from the camera, he’s an adventurous cook, constantly experimenting with new recipes, an avid gamer, and a dedicated father to four spirited children who share his passion for travel. Doug’s approach is refreshingly direct, professional without pretense, and infused with subtle humor, making every collaboration enjoyable and meaningful. https://twigandolive.com/about/
