If you’ve been looking for a family photographer, you’ve probably come across the term “lifestyle family photography.” But what does that actually mean?
Lifestyle family photography is a style of photography that focuses on genuine connection, emotion and interaction rather than perfectly posed photographs.
That doesn’t mean I simply follow your family around and hope something photogenic happens. And it definitely doesn’t mean you’re left wondering what to do with your hands ;)
I still guide you. I’ll find beautiful light, bring your family together and give you direction. But instead of constantly asking everyone to look at me and smile, I use prompts that encourage you to interact with each other.
The result is photographs that are beautiful and intentional, but still feel like you.
Lifestyle Photography vs. Traditional Family Photography
Traditional family photography is generally more focused on posing: everyone placed carefully, looking toward the camera and smiling.
There is absolutely a place for those photographs. In fact, I usually make sure we get a few during a family session because I know how meaningful a beautiful portrait of everyone together can be.
Lifestyle family photography shifts the attention away from the camera and back toward the people in the photograph.
Instead of:
“Everyone look here and smile!”
I might ask your child to tell you their favourite thing about you. They might tell you that it’s that you make them noodles for dinner. Or, that you buy them toys.
I might ask you to tell your child something they’ve done that made you proud.
What happens next is the part I’m interested in.
The Best Moments Aren’t Really Posed
One of my favourite things to ask children during family sessions is what they love about their parents I’ve asked variations of this question many times, and I love watching what happens.
A child who was bouncing around a few seconds earlier might suddenly sink into their mom, wrap their arms around her and bury their face into her neck. That little snuggle is real.
I may have created the opportunity for it to happen, but I didn’t pose the emotion behind it.
That’s what lifestyle family photography means to me.
I’m not posing every moment. I’m creating opportunities for real moments to happen.
And after photographing so many families, I’ve learned that the right prompt can completely change the feeling of a photograph.
What If My Kids Are Wild During Our Family Photos?
This is probably one of the biggest worries parents have before a family session.
“My kids are rambunctious.”
“They won’t sit still.”
“They’re probably not going to cooperate.”
Some of my favourite families to photograph have kids who are a little wild.
I don’t need your children to suddenly become different kids because there’s a camera around. I would much rather photograph the way they actually move through the world right now.
Let them run. Let them climb on you. Let them make ridiculous faces and laugh too loudly. Let them squeeze you harder than necessary when I ask for a hug.
This is also why I love moving and exploring during outdoor sessions. In one Stanley Park family photo session, the kids chased each other through the rose garden, threw rocks into Lost Lagoon and searched for sea life along the seawall.
That energy gives me something to work with.
Of course, I’ll step in when we need a little more direction. But I don’t see a rambunctious child as something we need to fix before we can get beautiful photographs. Very often, the chaos is where the good stuff is.
So, Will We Be Posed at All?
Yes. But probably less than you expect.
I think there’s a misconception that lifestyle photography means absolutely no posing or direction. That isn’t how I photograph families. Sometimes I need to move someone into better light. I may bring everyone closer together, adjust where you’re standing or give you a starting position that will photograph beautifully.
Then I want you to forget about me a little.
Think of it as guided rather than posed.
There’s enough direction that you never have to wonder, “What are we supposed to be doing?” but enough freedom for your family’s actual personalities to come through.
What Does a Lifestyle Family Photography Session Actually Look Like?
Every family is different, which means every session is different too.
But you can expect a combination of:
- gentle direction when you need it
- prompts that get you talking and interacting
- movement and play
- cuddles and quiet moments
- kids being allowed to be kids
- a few more traditional everyone-looking-at-the-camera portraits
- plenty of photographs where nobody is looking at me at all
Sometimes the most meaningful photograph from your session will be the one where everyone is smiling beautifully at the camera.
But it might also be your child’s face buried in your neck. The way your partner looks at your kids when they aren’t paying attention. Your child’s hand wrapped around one of your fingers. Or everyone laughing because something went completely off-script. Those are often the photographs that become more valuable with time.
Is Lifestyle Family Photography Right for Your Family?
If you want every photograph to be perfectly posed with everyone looking at the camera, lifestyle photography probably isn’t the best fit.
But if you want photographs that remind you what your family felt like at this particular point in your lives, it might be exactly what you’re looking for. You can explore my family photography sessions in Vancouver, including outdoor, in-home and studio options, to see which experience feels most like your family.
You don’t need to know how to pose.
And you definitely don’t need to be a family who feels naturally comfortable in front of a camera.
That’s my job.
Your job is to show up, love on your people and let your kids be themselves.
I’ll take care of the rest.
