Lifestyle photography - what is it, what does it mean and what does it mean to me?
Have you heard the term "lifestyle photography" and wondered what it's all about? I can tell you it's a growing trend in photography and there are a few reasons why -- it's awesome & it's unique, but more on that in a bit.
Lifestyle photography is becoming an overused term in the photography world. Because of this, I believe I owe you an explanation regarding what lifestyle photography is... to me. This is my artistic interpretation of lifestyle photography...
Some will say that lifestyle photography is about capturing a person's normal life. Makes sense considering the name, right? These individuals would also venture to say that if the subjects are doing something that they would not typically do on any given day, then that style of photography should not be considered lifestyle.
Others will tell you that lifestyle photography is simply a combination of two different types of photography, one being portraiture and the other photojournalism. They believe that lifestyle photography is applied to any scenario or setting.
For me, I would say that I have to agree with both sides of the argument in part.
I believe...
All of the regular rules of photography still apply. The best lifestyle photographers still use the rule of thirds, composition, background and foreground, and most importantly, excellent lighting.
I believe...
Lifestyle photographers must combine both technical camera knowledge and artistic vision in order to capture images in a beautiful way.
I believe...
That lifestyle photography can document an event that you don't normally do on a day-to-day basis, but instead are milestones in a person's life.
I believe...
Lifestyle photography documents the "little things" in life that we often overlook. Little moments build the story of life or an event.
I believe...
Lifestyle photography uses both candids and lightly guided posing to create natural and realistic moments that look incredibly beautiful.
I believe...
This type of photography is not just snapshots. It definitely takes having a plan in place, a vision, strategic directing, and an artistic eye.
I believe...
Lifestyle photography images are styled, thought out and edited in a way that renders them high quality, magazine worthy images.
I believe...
Lifestyle Photography reminds us that life isn't always perfect, but our perceptions become our reality. There is always beauty, we just have to see it.
I believe...
Lifestyle Photography can be applied to all of the following:
Senior Portraits, Event Photography, Family Photography, and Wedding Photography
I believe...
Lifestyle Photography is not limited to recording what faces look like at any given point in time, but can archive the real essence of a season of life.
I believe...
The most important goal of lifestyle photography is to truly capture personality,
relationships, character and reality. It's not necessarily about the setting, it's about everything that makes up a person or family and what makes them unique. Lifestyle photography truly, truly represents life in a beautiful way.