What Is Lifestyle Photography?

If you’ve ever wondered what lifestyle photography is — or how it differs from traditional portraits — you’re not alone. Here’s an easy way to understand it: Lifestyle photography is a blend of real-life interactions and gentle direction to optimize both light and composition. Lifestyle photography sits right between documentary photography and traditional portraits. Lifestyle photography holds the sweet spot where your family can be relaxed, playful, and connected, while I make sure the light, composition, and overall storytelling feel intentional and beautiful.

Lifestyle Photography vs. Documentary vs. Portraits

Documentary Photography

No posing, prompting, or do-overs. Whatever unfolds naturally gets photographed and editing is minimal. Documentary photography can be a wonderful, zero-pressure kind of photo session experience. It’s honest and tells a story like no other type of photography. By that same token, it shows all the proverbial warts.

Portrait Photography

Lots of posing, lots of direction, and plenty of editing. With portrait photography, you know what you're going to get. Subjects are typically centered in the frame and looking directly at the camera. Portrait photography is perfect for anyone who wants photos that are clean and polished.

Lifestyle Photography

Lifestyle photography occupies a spot between structure and spontaneity. It’s directed enough to feel flattering and intentional, but it’s loose enough to feel like real moments are happening. The resulting images will feel dynamic, look beautiful, and (hopefully) surprise you.

You’ll Get Direction… But Still Get to Be Yourselves

While lifestyle photography includes connection, movement, and natural interactions, I do guide you to optimize for the best light and most flattering positions. We’ll also get do-overs if the first attempt to get a shot doesn’t quite look or feel right.

For families wondering about lifestyle family photography posing, think more along the lines of prompts than poses:

• “Stand in this nice light and dance with your kid.”

• “Walk together along this path and chat with each other, don’t worry about looking at me.”

• “Hold your kid’s hand and checkout those flowers over there.”

• “Show me the best snuggle spot in the house and show me how you snuggle.”

Why Lifestyle Photography Feels So Comfortable

Lifestyle sessions often feel more like hanging out than having photos taken, which is exactly the goal. I want the session itself to be a wonderful memory, not just make photos that look like good memories.

Most lifestyle photography uses:

• Natural light only

• A relaxed single photographer with one camera type of set-up

This minimal gear creates a space where kids feel comfortable, adults feel at ease, and everyone kind of forgets about the camera. The prompts should feel more like conversation than direction and the mood should feel light, welcoming, and have a ‘say-yes’ approach.

The Beauty of Not Looking at the Camera

A lot of families are used to “look here and smile!” portraits. If they opt for a lifestyle session, they may wonder “Why aren’t we looking at the camera?”. As a lifestyle proselytizer 😉, I say it’s because the real, emotional storytelling happens when you’re looking at each other and not at the camera.

Lifestyle family photography favors:

• Points of contact (holding hands, hugging, leaning into each other, etc)

• Movement

• Play

• Eye contact between family members

What Do You Wear to a Lifestyle Photoshoot?

Clothing for a lifestyle shoot is all about polished comfort. You want to look nice (obviously), but you want to be able to move and snuggle and play. Remember you and your people are the stars of these photographs, not your clothing.

In addition, you want to wear shapes and colors that flatter you. You also want to consider the location you’re shooting at and wear clothing that fits the palette ad overall vibe (ex. avoid heels at the beach, avoid formal dress for a walk in the redwoods). Think:

• Soft, cozy textures (sweaters photograph beautifully)

• Neutrals and earth tones that flatter your skin tone

• Clothes you can sit, cuddle, and play in

• Avoid super bright or reflective colors and heavy graphics

• Pops of color add visual interest without dominating the composition

Coordinating your clothing with the rest of the people in your crew will elevate your images, but you want to avoid being overly matchy (which ends up looking contrived, or worse - cheesy).

Lifestyle Photography Sessions at Home

There’s something poetic about photographing a family right in the place where their everyday lives actually happen. Home is where your toddler’s favorite blanket lives, where the dog follows you from room to room, where the morning light hits just right in the kitchen. It’s the backdrop of your real family story, and that makes it the perfect setting for a lifestyle session. I’ve written more about why I love home sessions here, but in a nutshell, lifestyle home sessions offer the following perks:

• Kids feel more comfortable and parents are usually more at ease

• Flexibility around time of day we shoot

• Your home tells part of your family’s story, imbuing your images with more meaning

Ready to Create Your Own Lifestyle Family Photos?

Whether you’re imagining a snuggly home session with your family or newborn baby, or playful family images at the beach, lifestyle photography could be exactly the style you’ve been looking for. As a photographer who has specialized in lifestyle photography for nearly 15 years, I know a thing or two about how to make images that feel natural and spontaneous, even when I’m shooting with intention and some strategy behind the scenes. I’d love to meet you and make some magic. You can contact me here.