Family Lifestyle Photography vs Posed Portrait Photography
I've been photographing children and families for awhile now and until recently, I considered myself strictly a "portrait photographer". In fact, it took me a while to even realize that there were other types of photography out there! However, as I started to grow and my skills improved, I found myself posing my clients less and capturing their interactions more. I started to capture clients with the kinds of images I took of my own kids and family. I know what you're thinking...…
Whats the difference between lifestyle and portrait photography, glad you asked.
Lifestyle photography captures you in real life
Lifestyle photography is about capturing your family in real life situations and your unique personalities. The photos are designed to feel more authentic and genuine. Think about the photos you see influencers and celebrities post on Instagram. Those are often lifestyle images. It's about capturing you in a way that reflects your personality and interests. Lifestyle photography captures the relationship between you and your partner, between siblings, parents and children. Its unscripted, but planned; it’s not posed, but directed. Its about connections and emotion between family and loved ones in portraits that are relaxed.
Lifestyle photography is perfect for children because it allows them to be themselves. Rather than having them sit still and posed, they are encouraged to talk and play. I often have clients bring their kid's favorite toy. It gives me something to talk to the kids about and they get excited talking about their favorite thing.
Portrait vs. Lifestyle Photography
Portrait photography is typically more formal and posed. The goal of portrait photography is to create a traditional, polished image. With portraits, you're usually told on how to pose, whether to sit or stand, how to angle your body, where to place their hands or feet. This helps to create a more structured image where you look natural, but also be prepared and ready for the camera. Portraits are usually captured in a studio or outdoor location with controlled lighting and background. Traditional portrait photography is a great way to document how you and your family looked at a specific time in their life.
Lifestyle photography is more relaxed and candid type of portrait. It’s less about creating a polished image and more about telling a story and capturing your personality and emotions. The location of the session can be anywhere from a local park, coffee shops, and in clients homes. One of the big differences between portraits and lifestyle photography is that you’re prompted more than posed. This is only to draw out natural interactions and the emotions that follow.
Prompts might include suggesting an action, “tell each other a joke” , or a pose, “carry the baby while holding the oldest child’s hand”.
The flexibility of this style allows me to interact with my clients on an individual level, rather than relying on pre-set poses or lighting setups.
Traditional Portraits and Lifestyle Overlap
Portraits and lifestyle photography do overlap and can be incorporated into your session. During your session there will be moments where you're directed to "hold that pose" or stand or sit in order to get a portrait style photo. What I have found is that most people feel nervous, or awkward during the session. By incorporating an activity, movement and their real life, we're able to get authentic smiles for portraits.
Portraits = posed and scripted
Lifestyle = prompted and planned
Hope this helps you when you’re looking for a photographer for your next family session and come across these types of family portrait sessions.
No matter what type of session you book with me, I will always make sure that it's tailored to your needs and preferences--whether that means capturing everything from candid moments to posed portraits.