What is Lifestyle Photography?

When I decided to become a family photographer, I knew I wanted to capture natural, fun, unscripted moments between parents and their children. As a parent myself, I know how bittersweet parenting can be: it’s so hard, and then your kiddo turns around and says or does something that breaks your heart wide open. I also know how very fast it moves and that our babies are middle schoolers and teens are college students in the blink of an eye. 

But how to capture the magic and essence of family interaction within just an hour shoot? I utilize a lifestyle approach to do just that!

So what is lifestyle photography? Here are highlights from a recent shoot to illustrate what makes a lifestyle shoot unique.

What is Lifestyle Photography?

Lifestyle photography attempts to capture the subject engaged in real life scenarios, events, milestones, or other activities. While these photo shoots will be artistic in nature, they don’t rely on props or poses to convey the message. Here is an overview of the specific elements of a lifestyle photo shoot based on my experience as a family photographer in Seattle.

On-Location Lifestyle Photography

Lifestyle photo sessions are held in a location that has meaning for the family. This can be at home, or as is the case for my shoots, at a local park or outdoor location that the family enjoys. We are lucky to live in a part of the country with so many beautiful beaches, parks and mountains, so it’s easy to find a scenic location that families have a connection with.

Gentle Guidance and Direction From the Photographer

Most people find it challenging to immediately relax and be themselves in front of a camera. In order to put people at ease and help them focus on each other instead of the camera, I offer gentle posing guidance and suggestions for activities (for example, dancing or spinning around together) that bring out natural joy and laughter. These activities would likely happen on any given day in this location, but my guidance helps capture more of them in a shorter amount of time. I often remind my families to look at each other instead of at the camera.

Focus on Details

While families are playing and enjoying time together at my shoot, I look to capture small details – a parent holding a child’s hand, a natural reaction, a quick kiss on the head – that say so much about the love and connection they share. 

Time to Play

Some of the best moments happen naturally without any direction at all!

These are just a few ways that adopting a lifestyle photography style allows me to capture the real life family moments of connection in just an hour shoot! I’m also a newborn photographer in Seattle, and I love doing maternity photo shoots in the Seattle area as well. Please get in touch if you have any questions.