What is Lifestyle Photography?
In today's FAQ post, we are talking about something that leaves many clients confused. They head to a photographer's website and see 'lifestyle photography' and, frankly, don't know what the heck that even is. Well, let's start with what it's not.
It's not traditional or posed photography. Traditional photography in the realm of family photos is typically very posed, in a perfected location or a studio. For newborn photography, that can mean the inclusion of props and elaborate outfits for the baby. Photoshop is typically used in this style to perfect skin, wrinkles and sometimes body insecurities as well.
It's not documentary photography. This style may be less familiar to many, but it is becoming more and more popular. Documentary photography is documenting you, your family or your baby in their environment. Little or nothing is moved or touched, outfits are as true to life as possible and messes are in the background. This style is for anyone who wants a very real approach to documenting their lives and their family members personalities.
Then there's lifestyle photography. Lifestyle photography is defined as ‘a kind of photography which mainly aims to capture people in situations, real-life events or milestones in an artistic manner and the art of the everyday. The primary goal is to tell stories about people’s life or to inspire people in different times.’ For me, this means that the focus is completely on your and your family. Real smiles, real emotions, the real you. I consider it a happy medium between documentary and traditional photography, and here's why:
Posing: I do pose my families and babies, but in natural positions that allow you to relax, interact and snuggle up. Once posed, I step back and let you do your thing as a family. I find this helps avoid any unflattering angles, while still allowing real emotion and smiles to come through.
Wardrobe: I guide my clients with mood boards and help where needed when assembling outfits for their shoots. Unlike traditional photography, the outfits aren't elaborate or out of the ordinary, but more the best version of your everyday.
Location: I shoot in carefully chosen locations, but not for the reasons you think. In reality, location rarely matters for lifestyle photography because the focus is all on you and your family. I chose my locations based on good light, versatility and meaningfulness to my families. If I'm shooting in-home, I will move errant binkies or tissue boxes off the nightstand, but won't bring a whole setup with baskets and props for the baby. I find this approach allows for clients to focus solely on the sweet, joyous moments in their pictures without thinking it looks staged or being distracted by the mess in the background.
Lifestyle photography can mean different things to different people, so it's important to look at each photographer's portfolio to see where on the spectrum they fall before booking them. When my clients get their images back, my aim is to have them look at them and see the real smiles of their kids, the real games they play as a family to get each other to laugh, and the real spark of love in their eyes towards each other. If this sounds right up your alley, or even if you still have some questions, I'm here to help answer any questions you have any day of the week.
Does this all sound right up your alley and you are looking for newborn or family photography in Marin or San Francisco? I’m your girl!