In recent years, the number of lifestyle photographers has increased. But very often, their photos aren’t similar to each other. Well, let’s find out what a lifestyle photo is and what does it go with?
Definition
Lifestyle is a way of people’s life depicted through photography in their natural environment with sincere emotions, without staging and posing. This type of photography’s specifics lies in shooting simple life moments, everyday activities, sincere emotions, and natural states. The purpose of this genre is the artistic fixation of real life. Through the camera lens, the photographer shares the stories of people’s lives or something that fills them.
Types
A photoshoot in the genre of lifestyle includes a mix of different types, such as:
- Family Photography
Family photos are usually precious and should show love, care, and fun in all their forms. Remember that most people want to print such images, so they must be high quality and perfectly edited.
- Children Photography
This type includes photographs of newborns, portraits of children, and pictures of kids in action. For this type of photography, you will need to shoot in motion and have patience. In these photos, you are welcome to use close-ups and wide angles.
- Commercial Photography
Commercial photography shows an individual lifestyle. The photographer emphasizes specific objects, the environment, and the background that creates the right atmosphere. People are very attracted to look at such photos, so they are most often used in advertising.
You can shoot a lifestyle genre in hippie, old school, boho, or 90’s styles! If your characters feel natural, and the current style reflects their way of life, I can 100% guarantee you’ll get incredible and lively photos!
Tips
There are two options: in the first one, the photographer usually doesn’t interfere with what’s happening at all while taking pictures, and in the second one, the photographer communicates with the characters, directs situations, and tells the models what to do.
I advise you to try both ways and figure out where you feel more comfortable during the shooting.
As a rule, the photographer considers the style of shooting, choosing the location and time, as it’s better for them to know where to take beautiful photos in terms of lighting and place.
If you want to make a photoshoot in the lifestyle genre, here are ten useful tips for preparing, creating, and editing such photos.
- Find charming, sincere models who are not afraid to express their real emotions because it’s the core of the lifestyle photo.
- Search for an attractive location. It doesn’t have to be an ocean coast or a mountain landscape; just choose a place that suits your shooting style. If you want to shoot gloomy cold autumn, warmed up by a fire, just rent an old-school off-road vehicle and drive into the woods. If you want something cheerful and sunny, take a hammock and move to your mother’s summer house.
- Carefully select the characters’ looks, appropriate make-up, clothing suitable for the location, and matching each other. There’s no need for any special outfits and decorations. Everything should be as natural and harmonious as possible.
- Shoot wide open. Out of focus, foreground, and background create a cozy atmosphere. The emphasis is on the main thing, and everything secondary isn’t essential in this particular moment. When the aperture is open, the lights out of focus give a beautiful bokeh, which corresponds to this shooting genre.
- Take photos without using a lens hood on a sunny day. Glares and lights in this genre will be perfect looking.
- Use a non-standard crop. Cropping the head, catching only hands or feet in the frame, looks perfect and adds some movement to the photograph.
- Spontaneity and guidance. Natural photos come out if your models are in a place where they feel comfortable. Don’t let them freeze in the image, guide their movements. Don’t tell them to strike a pose; otherwise, all the lifestyle photoshoot’s magic will disappear.
- Relax and make it fun! It will be easier for the models to relax and have fun with you if you are in a good mood. Get to know each other better to understand each other’s character; it will definitely be useful.
- Pay attention to the details to create the scene. Some things can be necessary for the context and bring emotion to the photos.
- Travel is an excellent practice for a lifestyle photographer. By taking pictures of different lifestyles, you improve your skills. As a result, you can get many good street photos with unusual models and interactions and make new acquaintances.
In conclusion, I would like to say that you can succeed in this popular genre if you manage to capture the real and natural moments of life. It’s like a documentary film, but in the form of pictures, a fascinating genre that has enough freedom to express yourself!
