What Is Lifestyle Photography?

Lately, a lot of photographers such as myself specialize in a genre called lifestyle photography.

The definition of lifestyle photography according to Wikipedia is “Lifestyle photography is a kind of photography mainly aims to capture portrait/people in situations, real-life events or milestones in an artistic manner and the art of the everyday."

Still, you ask yourself what does it really mean? To me, it is a style that is a mix of documentary photography and classic portraiture mixed into one.

A documentary photographer simply captures real-life stories without interfering with what is happening around them, taking the “fly on the wall” approach. Whereas, classic portraiture captures images in a controlled setting having full control of background, lighting, clothes, and props while directing the subject who is typically looking straight at the camera with little or no movement.

My take on lifestyle photography during our sessions are mixed of real and staged moments. Whether the session takes place in the comfort of your home or outside in a location that is special to you, I take control of the location for the best light and direct your family on what to do for the best authentic moments.

My at-home lifestyle sessions are designed to depict a day in your life doing what you enjoy with the ones you love. These sessions are usually planned around some kind of activity that you love to partake with your kids. Be it reading, dancing, playing with trains or legos, cooking or just simply having a tickle fest. The reason for these sessions is to remember your family as they are. Let your kids be kids, as they will never be still, let them run, have fun and most importantly YOU need to join in. At the end of our sessions, we DO get perfect portraits as well, I promise you that.

On-location lifestyle photography is fun and playful. Run around with your kids, toss them in the air, pick up flowers, give them kisses and hugs. Let your child smile naturally, resist the urge to say “cheese”, instead make them laugh or smile and let them be TRULY themselves. Doing these things will allow me to capture the emotion and true beauty of your family.