What is a Lifestyle Photographer?
When booking a photographer for your special event you probably have had to consider what type of Photographer you will hire. Depending on the type of session you are having will determine the type of Photographer you will want to take your pictures. For example, there are many types of photographers, such as Fashion Photographers, Editorial Photographers, Portrait Photographers, Traditional Photographers, and many more. Have you decided that you will need a Lifestyle Photographer? In this article, we will break down everything you need to know about hiring one for your next session.
Lifestyle photography is about telling a story through the lens. Why would storytelling connect to photography? Lifestyle Photographers often call themselves visual storytellers, being that they are able to capture and create rare moments that families can feel during their session and remember for years to come! A lifestyle Photographer captures moments but also provides guidance.
Lifestyle photography is the perfect combination of documentary and traditional photos. This type of photographer's specialty is capturing real-life moments in artistic and creative ways. Lifestyle photography is about telling a story through the lens. Why would storytelling connect to photography? Lifestyle Photographers often call themselves visual storytellers, being that they are able to capture and create rare moments that families can feel during their session and remember for years to come! A lifestyle Photographer captures moments but also provides guidance. Lifestyle photography is the perfect combination of documentary and traditional photos. This type of photographer's specialty is capturing real-life moments in artistic and creative ways. A lifestyle photographer doesn’t wait for the moment to be perfect, instead, they plan the session to naturally create those moments by providing prompts and activities for families to bring out real laughs and authentic connections with each other. What an extraordinary talent in itself! A photographer who is not only able to take brilliant quality photos but is able to plan ahead ways for families to interact to produce organic enjoyment during the session. These photographers have to be able to work well with people, make others feel comfortable, sense positive and negative energy and adjust accordingly.
What Are The Benefits of Working With Lifestyle Photographers?
Lifestyle Photographers focus on capturing your family in a natural and authentic way. There aren't a bunch of rules to the session or boundaries. Pictures won't be taken in a Rigid and uniformed manner. The point of the session is to have fun, unwind and enjoy natural moments with your family and friends. This means if you are a little camera shy you don’t have to worry about being forced to pose and look at the camera, instead you will focus on your family and the moment together. The point of lifestyle photography is exactly as the name suggests, acting how you would in normal everyday life - just in front of the camera. So that means if you are normally silly and goofy around your family and friends you are free to be that way. If you are normally shy and reserved, that's okay too, and if you aren't exactly sure how to be, the photographer will guide you along the way! Another benefit is that you don’t have to worry about going to a studio for photos since these sessions usually take place in a more laid-back atmosphere, it could be your own home or a favorite park. Why don't lifestyle photography sessions normally take place in studios? Usually, studios are for more structured sessions. Lifestyle Photographers promote carefreeness, storytelling, and being adventurous and creative. Being in a place the family is comfortable like their home, or a favorite spot that may have memories attached to it like their local park or the beach, or any other wide open location. This may encourage families to be authentic and worry less about picture taking formalities.
What is Lifestyle Photography?
According to Wikipedia It's most classically defined as;
A genre of photography that mainly aims to capture portraits of people in situations, real-life events, or milestones in an artistic manner and the art of the everyday. The primary goal is to tell stories about people's lives or to inspire people in different times. Even though lifestyle photography is about telling a story and documenting the subject's natural environment, lighting and posing still plays a huge factor. Lifestyle photography is "posed" in an informal way, such that the photographer gives some prompts and then documents the natural responses and candid moments that follow. Not to confuse lifestyle photography for not having structure, there is a particular approach captured in a casual and carefree way. This type of photography is made to help individuals in front of the camera feel comfortable, natural and their most authentic selves. Is lifestyle photography just pictures with friends and family? To answer simply, no! It can be whatever you want it to be. Whether that's with friends and family or it's you being captured solo doing the things that you enjoy. It could be you playing the guitar, painting on an easel, or going fishing in the river. Lifestyle photography is anything that shows you living your life in its purest form!
See the images below for some examples of lifestyle photography:
What Should You Look For When Hiring Lifestyle Family Photographer?
When looking for a lifestyle family photographer it is very important to look over their portfolio, website, or social media to make sure that their style matches your vision for your session.
You want to pick a lifestyle family photographer that you personally connect with and that you can tell values their work and captures real moments! A picture tells a thousand words, and can evoke thoughts and emotions. You want to feel confident in the abilities of the photographer and know that they will be able to help bring out the best version of you during your session. Make sure they have experience doing these types of shoots and to read their reviews on google. See what other people have to say about their sessions and experience! From the quality of the photos, down to how the photographer made the last customers feel. You want to hire a lifestyle family photographer who truly enjoys interacting with others and creating an atmosphere where others feel comfortable and free in. You wouldn't want a photographer who was rigid, rude, and didn't create an environment for participants to feel happy or comfortable to enjoy the session. Where else can you find customer reviews? Outside of Google, a good place to look is the photographer's official website. Also if the photographer has a Facebook business page reviews would be found there too. Once you review what people have to say, you'll be one step closer to finding the perfect lifestyle family photographer for you!
Standard Session | Starting at $350
Session Includes:
Beautifully edited high-resolution digital images with printing rights
Downloadable online gallery with the capability to order additional gorgeous professional-quality prints
Guide with information on how to prepare for your session, What to expect, and What to wear.
How Do I Choose Lifestyle Photographers Near Me?
Do your research and look for lifestyle photographers near your area on google with great reviews. Google is the best tool when searching for any local service! You may also be Wondering what other places you can find lifestyle photographers besides Google business. You can also find them on any of the following websites.
Other sites to look for photographers include:
Thumbtack
Bark.com
Eventective
Yelp
Groupon
The next best tool is consulting with family and friends. If they have had sessions done they might know a great lifestyle photographer that you may love too. It is also helpful to look over the photographer’s past work to better understand their style and whether their work aligns with your vision for your session. Check their packages and prices to make sure they are within your budget.
What Questions Should You Ask Before Hiring a Lifestyle Photographer?
What is included in my session?
What should I wear for my lifestyle session?
Can I see a full family lifestyle session gallery?
How will you deliver our images?
How much will the session cost?
What are the best locations for lifestyle sessions?
Are there any additional packages I can purchase?
Is there anything I need to bring to my session?
What Should You Expect From a Lifestyle Photography Session?
Before the session photographers will send you a questionnaire to help them understand your vision for your session. The session will involve gentle guidance and prompts to help bring out your family's real emotions, it is all about capturing the authentic "you'' instead of just asking you to look and smile. The photographer will provide guidance on how to stand, sit, or what to do with your hands. While there will be some guidance and prompting, it won't be strict or heavily guided. The purpose of lifestyle photography is to capture real moments and to effectively do this there must be room for participants to be free, relaxed, and comfortable during the session.
How Do You Prepare For Your Lifestyle Portrait Photography Session?
I highly recommend working with your photographer to get suggestions on what to wear for your session. Depending on the theme and location of the session, your lifestyle portrait photographer may have well thought out suggestions about what to wear to set the mood of the session! Make sure to eat something, drink plenty of water, and get a good night’s sleep before your session. You want to make sure you have energy so that you can feel like the best version of yourself before the start of the shoot. You might want to choose an item or two to bring that your kids will be excited to have or show off during the session, this might be a favorite stuffed animal, balloons, or bubbles and most importantly be yourself and have fun!
Tampa Florida Lifestyle and Family Packages
I hope everything we covered will help guide you through the process of choosing the perfect lifestyle photographer for you! Now you should be able to know what to look for, where to look and how a lifestyle photographer should make you feel. Lifestyle photography sessions are some of the most intimate and fun sessions to shoot, and with the right photographer to take care of you it makes it that much more memorable. We would love to share in creating such treasured moments with you and your loved ones. Please visit the inquiry section of my website to book your session! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact Gema's Photography!
