Life Style Photography features people (family, kids, and yes, even the dog) while trying to photograph real-life situations and/or events in a creative way. You could kind of describe life style photography as 'candid' but with a plan. Or, somewhere between portrait photography and documentary.
For example; when I photograph a young family I always try to set up a situation in which they can sit down with their baby or toddler(s). Then, I ask them to get comfortable and play with their children, tickle the little ones and lift them up in the air. I usually tell them to ignore me and just play. While they are interacting and forgetting about the camera and the photographer, I move around them. I get low, shoot from higher up (stepping stool), zoom in, zoom out and get a nice variety of life-style images.
There are many other things you can do as well. Have the kids run towards mom and dad, have parents lift the kiddos high up into the air or ask everyone to get close for a big family hug. Parents holding hands with the children between them, swinging the kids back and forth always makes for great shots too! Siblings can hold hands, lean back and swirl each other around in circles.
If there's a dog involved, it's always nice to have the kids interact with their best friend as well.
When I think about Life Style Photography I think about photos that show emotion, connections between people and fun moments that will turn into memories. I'm looking to capture their expressions and the way they look at each other.
I don't want people looking into the camera lens (or just one person does but the others are looking away or at each other). People should be interacting, laughing, hugging or even sticking out a tongue (mostly cheeky, little kids).
I've noticed that Life Style Photography is still a bit of an unknown or unfamiliar concept for most. During a photo session I sometimes have to remind people to not pose and don't look at the camera. I guess it's a habit we all have :o) Redirecting always helps. The trick is to guide an action, not a pose.
Even though Life Style Photography isn't what first comes to mind when families book a session, they always love the images when they see them upon delivery.
Here's a website with some more examples: https://lifestylephotographers...
And this one seems more geared towards advertisement but also gives a good idea about life style photography: https://workbook.com
