Lifestyle photography is a genre in which the photographer tries to capture the moment. It is multidisciplinary, as it lies somewhere between traditional portraiture and photojournalism. There are many types of lifestyle photography, including portraiture, fashion, commercial, and commercial lifestyle photography.
The photographer tells a story through the photos. This is similar to photojournalism. It is different from photojournalism and documentary photography because, in those scenarios, the photographer is just a fly in the room and does not manipulate the environment in order to capture it as it is. Lifestyle photography involves the photographer in both the subject and the surrounding environment.
The photographer moves the subject around to get the best composition and lighting for lifestyle photography. The photographer will give the subject cues on how to behave for the photo. The subjects are posed more casually and candidly than in conventional portraiture. Lifestyle photography is a mix of candid and staged photography that captures moments in life.
Why choose lifestyle photography
Lifestyle photography is on the rise. There is a large market of people who prefer relaxed, natural photos taken at home or in nature rather than in a studio, with a coloured backdrop and rigid, posed pictures. People are attracted to lifestyle photography because it has an authentic feel. It can be rewarding for a photographer to develop a relationship with people and then photograph them more genuinely.
Here is a guide to lifestyle photos with 10 of the best ideas.
Plan
Even though a lifestyle session is not scripted, it’s important to have an idea of what you want the final result to be. You should be familiar with the location and lighting of the shoot.
Please get to know your client before you start shooting their lifestyle. This will allow you to capture their personality on camera. You can learn a lot about your clients by asking them what they enjoy doing. Lifestyle photos are created by photographing clients in their natural environment. Even if it’s for commercial lifestyle photography, you should still get to understand the client to get a sense of the brand personality that will be shown in the photos.
Use props
In conventional portraiture, the photographer will either not use props or bring their own. Use the environment to your advantage. Lifestyle photography allows you to capture an authentic lifestyle. When you are doing a lifestyle photoshoot with your family, and their floor is covered in toys like teddy bears and trucks, it shows that the environment is natural. You can use these props to create a more authentic atmosphere. It is beneficial because the subject has a connection to the props, and the emotion on camera will be organic.
The house is perfect just as it is
When shooting in a client’s home, it’s not necessary to rearrange everything. A lot of staging can diminish authenticity and capture the real environment. For a lifestyle photo shoot, you don’t have to be their interior designer. It will also help the subject feel more comfortable in front of the camera, as they’re in their own home and want their souvenirs to accurately represent their home.
Lighting is Key
Lighting is the key to any photography. You may ask clients to move from a perfect home to an area with better lighting, even if the house is already perfect. Photographers in the lifestyle industry tend to use natural light for their photographs. If there are no natural light sources available, you might want to consider professional lighting. Natural lighting can be used for lifestyle product photography, but professional lighting will make it easier.
Let clients be themselves.
When you tell clients to act naturally, they may start to “act” naturally instead of simply being natural. It is best to encourage clients to be as natural as possible to ensure that the photos look as natural as possible.
When photographing a couple, you can get them to reminisce about their first meeting, which will let down their guard. You can start by suggesting a game to a family of young children. It will make them feel more relaxed and allow their personalities to shine through in the photos.
Do not put down the camera!
Inexperienced photographers often put down their cameras and miss the best moments. Be on guard because life is not static. Have your camera at the ready so you can capture those great spontaneous shots. Candid photographs are an excellent way to tell your client’s story.
Do not utter the word “cheese.”
In other practices, the photographer may ask clients to smile and say cheese. Lifestyle photography is a good way to direct the client, but you also want them to interact, either with one another or with the environment. You need to strike a balance as a photographer between being able to direct and being a fly on the wall. The golden rule for lifestyle photography is to never ask clients to stare directly at the camera or smile when asked.
Your wardrobe should reflect your lifestyle.
Your clients should dress in a way that reflects the lifestyle you want to portray. In commercial or fashion lifestyle photography, the clothing should reflect the brand. Therefore, they may have to wear an elevated option. When shooting personal lifestyles, the subject should wear clothes that are authentic to them and more comfortable.
Flatlays
Lifestyle product photography is growing in popularity. This is a powerful marketing tool because it allows customers to visualize themselves using the products. You should use flat-lay photography for your product promotion. It is an effective and simple form of lifestyle photography.
Photo-Orientation
More and more people are uploading photos on social media, whether they are lifestyle photos for business or personal use. You may find that clients upload their images to Instagram if you are taking lifestyle commercial shots for a company. Asking your clients which orientation they prefer is a great idea. Should the photos be taken vertically or horizontally? If your client doesn’t specify what orientation they want, you can take both to cover all bases.
