Mastering the Art of Lifestyle Photography
Setting the Scene
Lifestyle photography is about capturing the essence of your loved ones in candid, natural moments. Whether you're a professional photographer or an enthusiast, these tips will help you create beautiful and timeless images that will be treasured for years to come.
It can be one of the most fulfilling forms of photography that is all about capturing the special bond between family members and preserving it for future generations. These photographs will be cherished for a lifetime and will be a source of fond memories for your clients.
Creating these beautiful and timeless images is an art that can be mastered with the right tips and techniques. It's not as challenging as you might think. In this guide, we'll share some expert insights and strategies that will help you master the art of family lifestyle photography!
Choose the Right Setting
The first step in creating stunning lifestyle photographs is to choose the right setting. Whether you're session is taking place indoors or an outdoor location, it's important to select a spot that is comfortable and familiar to your subjects. This will help them relax and feel more at ease, which will in turn result in more natural-looking photos. Remember, all emotions will shine in your photos; if your subjects are uncomfortable, awkward, or embarrassed, your photos will reflect!
Use Natural Light
Natural light is one of the most important elements of lifestyle photography. No matter the setting or location you will want to try to work with the available light as much as possible. This means staying away from high noon hours unless it is a very low light, cloudy day and scheduling as close to golden hour as you can. This will help you create soft, natural-looking images that are free from harsh shadows and overexposure.
Get Close to Your Subject
Another key element of lifestyle photography is closing that distance between yourself and your subjects. This will help you capture the intimacy and connection between your clients, which is what makes this type of photography so special. Try to get in as close as possible without disturbing the scene and use a wide-angle lens if possible. As always, it is highly recommended to take test photos to get your exposure triangle dialed and make sure your distance isn’t too far or close.
Capture Candid Moments
One of the most important aspects of lifestyle photography is capturing those candid moments. These are the unplanned, unscripted moments that reflect the real personalities and relationships of your subjects. Everyone and every family are unique in their own aspect; letting that shine through is the end goal with a lifestyle session. You will want to be as unobtrusive as possible and let your subjects interact naturally with each other and your camera.
Experiment with Composition
Composition is yet another important aspect of lifestyle photography. This includes things like using different angles, perspectives, and focal lengths to create interesting and dynamic images. Try different approaches and see what works best for the scene and the subjects. Sometimes that random, creative thought you might be holding back is everything you need to capture that one image that sells your whole gallery!
Use Props and Accessories
Props and accessories can add an extra layer of interest and dimension to your lifestyle photography. Think about items that are meaningful or symbolic to your subjects and use them creatively in your compositions. Depending on the time of year, or your location, you should ask your clients what their interests are, so you have a plan!
Edit Your Images
Finally, editing your images can be the last step to create stunning lifestyle photographs. Basic adjustments such as cropping, adjusting exposure and color, and removing blemishes can help bring out the best in your images. This part of the process is what will make or break your gallery. You will want to keep consistent with the natural colors of your session (if you live in seasonal locations) and your photography style. Remember, your clients could have booked any one of your competitors, but they chose you, so give them a reason to make that choice again!
Final Touches
Lifestyle photography is all about capturing candid, natural moments that reflect the unique personalities and relationships of your loved ones. By choosing the right setting, using natural light, getting close to your subjects, capturing candid moments, experimenting with composition, using props and accessories, and editing your images, you can create beautiful, timeless images that your client’s treasure for years to come. Assembling the end gallery into a beautiful, cohesive display of affection is only going to enhance your brand, image, and value, so do not skimp on the final editing and gallery delivery tools. Ensuring all process tasks are easier for your client will result in more upsells, rebooking’s, and stellar reviews to recruit future new customers!
