When you hear “Lifestyle Photography” what do you think? Wikipedia defines lifestyle photography “as a genre of photography that mainly aims to capture portraits of people in situations, real-life events or milestones in an artistic manner and the art of the everyday.”
As a lifestyle photographer, my aim to capture my clients in a way to reflect their attitudes and values. I thought I would share three myths about lifestyle photography with you.
“There is one thing the photograph must contain,
Robert Frank
the humanity of the moment.”
Lifestyle photography happens at home
Often you might think of lifestyle photography happening in your living room, around the kitchen or in a bedroom and while those are definitely areas lifestyle photography can happen, those are not the only areas open to this type of session. Do you enjoy spending time in the backyard or the local park? Is there a fun spot you like to picnic? Do you have a camper that you take often in the summers? These and other locations are prime examples that a lifestyle session doesn’t have to be inside your home. It’s all about capturing your story.
“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”
Elliott Erwitt
The house needs to be pristine
If you want to capture a lifestyle session at home, it often brings unneeded stress in preparing the house to be spotless. Lifestyle photography captures real-life in an artistic manner so if there are toys on the floor there is no need to pick. These toys can quickly become a talking point with your child, help him or her get comfortable around me and the camera and bring authenticity to the session.
“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you
Aaron Siskind
have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little
things, long after you have forgotten everything.”
There is no posing
While there are no posing directions such as “move your head closer” or “slightly lean to the left,” which you’ll find in a portrait session, there is still guidance in a lifestyle session. Lifestyle photography thrives from candid moments captured so as the photographer I often suggest different activities that will elicit genuine smiles and interactions between the members of the family. I also utilize prompts to help provoke a mood or emotion and help clients achieve those notable moments that will become lasting memories in the image.
“A tear contains an ocean. A photographer is aware of the tiny moments
Anonymous
in a persons life that reveal greater truths.”
I absolutely love capturing lifestyle sessions. It’s comfortable and authentic. It’s simple and beautiful. It’s timeless and flawless.
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