What is Family Lifestyle Photography? (Plus Other Questions)
Do you prefer a more candid approach to your family photos? Do you find the idea of sitting down and posing in front of a camera to be intimidating or "stuffy"? Family lifestyle photography may be your cup of tea! As a professional photographer, I've had the pleasure of photographing families in a very direct but personal way, putting my clients first while ensuring they get a great look at their current stage of life.
If this is the first time you're reading about this variant of photography, read on to get a better idea of how I can capture this wonderful stage of your life for you.
What is family lifestyle photography?
Family lifestyle photography is a more casual and candid approach to getting family photos taken. Rather than forcing everyone into formal outfits and seating them into chairs for example, instead the family (aka the subjects of the photographs) can spend their time enjoying an activity together and spend time with one another at the shoot. While not all too different from regular family photos, the main difference is that it's a glimpse into your life—hence the word 'lifestyle'.
It's a very real, very authentic way to capture this precious stage of your life so you remember it. Such photos tend to come about when the families are both comfortable in their 'natural' habitat, such as their home or playing with their favourite toys or games.
Is this right for my family?
Family lifestyle photography is a wonderful choice for several reasons:
No awkwardness or concern about poses.
You don't have to look directly at a camera if you don't want to.
You can spend your time during the shoot doing something other than sitting down, or standing and looking at the camera. Some ideas include playing a card game with your family or playing with your children at the park.
A casual wardrobe suits some parents and kids better than formal dresses and suits.
No need to wait for special events—if you want to go ahead and get a family photographer for several months of the year, we can come up with a plan for you.
How much does it cost?
This costs about the same as my normal family photography packages, however I do tend to offer several discounts at various times of the year. You can visit my website for more information, or you can subscribe to my newsletter to stay on top of the latest offers.
What should I wear?
Generally I advise families to dress in their most comfortable yet flattering clothing (aka no shirts with holes, or shoes that are falling apart, things like that). You don't have to dress up to the nines, but you shouldn't wear something so casual that you'll end up regretting it later. My blog post "How to Get Ready for a Family Photoshoot" goes into greater detail on wardrobes if you are still not sure!
When should I get these photos?
Anytime! Really, does one need a reason to cherish their family for an afternoon? This style of family photography can make a big stage of life feel extra special.
Let's get started!
If these photos are starting to sound more and more like something you and your family would be interested in, I'm more than happy to help with the planning process. Give me a call if you would like to meet me and get a photoshoot going.
Creative Commons Attribution: Permission is granted to repost this article in its entirety with credit to Photos by Cheryl and a clickable link back to this page.
