Family photography has evolved over the years, transcending the traditional posed portraits to a more natural, candid approach known as lifestyle family photography. This style aims to capture the essence of a family’s everyday life, showcasing genuine emotions, interactions, and moments that reflect who they are. If you’re new to this concept, let’s delve into what lifestyle family photography means and why it’s becoming increasingly popular.
Lifestyle family photography is all about storytelling. Unlike conventional portrait photography, which often involves stiff poses and forced smiles, lifestyle photography seeks to capture the spontaneity and authenticity of family life. It’s about freezing moments that convey love, joy, and connection in a relaxed environment, often your home or a favorite outdoor location.
Key Elements of Lifestyle Family Photography:
1. Natural Setting
Lifestyle sessions usually take place in familiar surroundings—your home, a park, or any place that holds significance for your family. These settings help everyone feel comfortable and relaxed, allowing the photographer to capture genuine moments. The possibilities are endless when the goal of your photo session is to capture your family’s interactions. You can choose a favorite restaurant, your backyard, the beach, a botanical garden, a playground, or a river.
2. Candid Moments
Rather than directing every pose, lifestyle photographers encourage families to engage in activities they enjoy. The goal is to document real interactions and emotions. There’s no need to overthink your family photos when the activity you do together can be anything from walking hand-in-hand, playing I Spy, splashing in a lake, or telling jokes. You can also plan an activity like skateboarding, bike riding, baking at home, playing board games at home, or decorating a Christmas tree.
3. Minimal Posing
While some gentle guidance might be given to ensure everyone looks their best, the focus remains on capturing natural expressions and movements. The result is a collection of images that feel personal and intimate. Again, what matters is that you’re perfectly YOU, not perfect looking. This means that every “pose” will differ for every family because every family is different.
4. Storytelling
Every family has a unique story, and lifestyle photography aims to tell that story through images. From the tender moments between parents and children to the laughter and chaos of playtime, each photograph becomes a chapter in your family’s narrative. This means your photos will reflect your kid’s mood on the day, the weather on the day, the time of year, and more. You embrace what happens on the day of your session.
The Benefits of Lifestyle Family Photography
Authenticity
The beauty of lifestyle photography lies in its authenticity. It captures the true essence of your family, providing a more accurate representation of your daily life and relationships. Guidance is vague to allow room for your family to interpret suggestions in a way that feels true to them.
Comfort and Ease
Being in a familiar environment helps everyone, especially children, feel at ease. This comfort translates into more natural expressions and interactions, making the photoshoot a fun and enjoyable experience.
Timeless Memories
Lifestyle photography captures moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. These images serve as timeless memories, preserving the little details and emotions that define your family. There’s a focus on photos that evoke emotion rather than photos that go on a Holiday Card. Your photos tell a story and are best displayed in a photo album, not just printed to display on the walls of your home.
Personalized Experience
Every session is unique, and tailored to your family’s preferences and dynamics. This personalization ensures that the final images are not just beautiful but also deeply meaningful to YOU.
Tips for a Successful Lifestyle Family Photoshoot
1. Choose a Meaningful Location
Pick a place where your family feels comfortable and happy. It could be your home, a favorite park, or even a cozy café where you spend weekends together.
2. Plan Activities:
Think of activities that your family enjoys doing together. Whether it’s baking, reading stories, or playing outdoors, these activities provide opportunities for candid, heartfelt moments.
3. Dress Comfortably
Wear clothes that reflect your personal style and are comfortable to move in. Coordinating outfits can be nice, but avoid anything too matchy-matchy. There is often a lot of movement during a lifestyle session so being able to pick up your kids, sit on the ground, run around, and get a wee bit dirty is important to consider when choosing outfits. Kids’ shoes should allow for them to run around, too.
4. Be Yourself
The best way to achieve authentic photos is to relax and be yourself. Forget about the camera and focus on enjoying the time with your family. Play with your kids the way you would if you were at home, without a photographer.
Lifestyle family photography offers a refreshing alternative to traditional portraits, focusing on the beauty of real-life moments and emotions. It’s about capturing your family’s unique story in a way that feels natural and meaningful. Whether it’s the quiet moments of togetherness or the joyful chaos of everyday life, lifestyle photography preserves these memories, allowing you to relive them for years to come.
So next time you consider a family photoshoot, think about embracing the lifestyle approach. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate your family’s love, laughter, and the beautiful messiness of life.
[…] Lifestyle photography is a blend of two styles of photography: posed and documentary. This form of photography involves some posing of your family but includes prompts to encourage movement and interaction between your loved ones to capture a more natural image of your family. You’re rarely looking straight into the camera but looking at each other instead. Your photos will feel like a glimpse into a moment rather than a forced photo. There’s less focus on perfection and more focus on moments. […]