lifestyle photography

Lifestyle photography is about capturing your essence. It is similar to environmental portraiture but goes one step further. Wikipedia defines lifestyle photography as “recreating real-life situations in a controlled environment.”

Lifestyle photography is very different from the traditional studio portrait session in which the subject is posed (chin up, head tilted, hands in lap, etc.), photographed, and he is taken out of the studio. Most lifestyle photo shoots take place outdoors or outdoors, like at your home or somewhere else that is meaningful to you. Lifestyle shoots typically last from one to three hours and include some formal or posed shots and plenty of casual, candid photography that captures what you do best. If it’s a family lifestyle photo shoot, be prepared to run after your kids, go around with them, take them for a piggyback ride, or just enjoy sharing ice cream with them, anything you would normally do on a Sunday in the afternoon with them. Your children.

In Hawaii, where I live, lifestyle photography sessions often focus on the ocean or the great outdoors, where people spend much of their time. If you are a rower or surfer, the photographer will ask you to come to the session in a swimsuit with your favorite paddle or surfboard. A typical shoot will include a few shots at your favorite beach and then the fun begins… you’ll head out on the water to do what you love. Some photographers will get in the water with you while others will shoot from the shore.

This is not to say that lifestyle photography cannot be done in a studio; you can, but one study can be limiting. There are photographers who specialize in studio lifestyle photography, and if the great outdoors is not for you, this is a good alternative.

Preparing for a lifestyle photography session is easy after finding the right photographer. Put on what you normally wear to do what you love, then show up to the session with a good attitude!