Lifestyle? Photography... 10 tips.

Lifestyle? Photography... since when?

While getting ready to head to La Jolla on sunday for a day of beachy fun, my mom asked me to bring my camera in case there was a good shot of her at some point. She wanted something candid and unposed. I informed her that they call that "lifestyle photography" now.

Did you notice this change? cause it was very subtle and it wasn't until that conversation with my mom that I realized, just HOW subtle the change was.

Now at first, I was mad. I've always prided myself on getting the candid shots that you cherish for years to come 'during' my 'photo shoot'. This is why my childrens portraits are always met with some variation of 'that's SO (enter childs name here)!'. And yet NOW, everyone is claiming to have this... super power.

But then I came to terms with the fact that, that was the point. Lifestyle Photography is something everyone can do... brilliantly. My 5 year old takes amazing 'lifestyle' photographs.


A Beautiful Mess describes 5 tips for lifestyle photography.

1. bring your camera.

This may seem obvious, but you know you do it too. As you load up the 1001 things you're going to need or not going to use at all but can't leave at home... just in case, into the car you contemplate NOT going back for your camera. So just go get it.

These Tiako drummers were randomly in Carlsbad when we decided to go at the last minute. I almost didn't bring my camera...

2. zoom in.

This is something I learned from my high school photo teacher 'Half'. Although his reasons for zooming in during shooting were because we printed our own pictures and we were supposed to 'crop on site' so we didn't have to crop out in the darkroom. But the lesson still stands. Even more so in the digital world. Zooming in not only gives you a more interesting subject matter but saves you precious pixels in the digital darkroom.

this picture is on the 'A Beautiful Mess' blog as 'weird' cause it was the morning after she got engaged. I like it's cropping. Up close, could be any woman at starbucks but that ring pops either way.

3. be weird.

This she describes as getting those things that only make sense or matter to those 'in' on the joke. This is your odd subject matter or difficult to infer meanings category.

This is my son and his god mother. I have the same picture of her "hugging" his big sister when she was a little younger that he was in this shot. Eventually I will touch it up and clean the background and frame the 2 kids being 'hugged' by their god mother together. Weird picture? yes. Meaningful to us? YEP.

4. using your cell phone as a camera is ok.

This is true. 100%. a picture can be great no matter what it's shot on.

My son Icarus. Eating a hammer at Home Depot while his big sister builds something with her hammer. Snapped with my phone.

5. there is no such things as a 'wasted photo'.

Now I have to say that with digital this is a true statement. The amount of pictures you can get on a single card is sometimes mind boggling, so shoot away! However, I have to disagree if you're experimenting with film. Unless you have access to and know how to develop your own film and print your own pictures.... there can be lots of 'wasted photos' which translate to wasted money.

I would give you an example of any one of the MANY wasted shots I have on film... only I tend NOT to print those, go figure. and they are surprisingly difficult to scan in film form... until I get my film scanner. Someday..... someday.

I'm adding a few tips myself. Lets see how many I crank out before my toddler wrecks the kitchen and I'm called to entertain him while my husband finishes cooking.

6. Don't be afraid of getting dirty.
Thats where the most interesting angles are. I will be the first one to lay on the floor to get the amazing shot of the Tokyo Tower rising up into the sky.

Lay down, squat, lean over a railing or bench, whatever it takes for the perfect angle.

7. get creative with your light source.

Using the fire from the Poi my husband spins as the ONLY light source makes for much more interesting shots.

A long exposure did the REAL magic. But another light source would have completely washed out the image with a longer exposure.

8. Make things look undefinable.

Get SO close to her bent arm that you cant tell that its an arm. Take a picture from the back of something instead of the front.

9. Shoot the awkward.

get in the face of your grandmother as she screams at the neighbors to get off her lawn. Follow your son around until he eats another piece of dog food... don't stop him!! Shoot it.

10. Have patience.

When you see the perfectly mischievous grin creep across your daughters face and you race for your camera to try and catch the 'daddy jump' she is about to embark on and she's too fast for you... wait. moments, months, whatever it takes. Wait.

I'm still waiting for this shot...


Lifestyle Photography is full of interesting angles, unconventional lighting choices, odd subject matter, difficult to infer meanings and... fun. So grab your camera, start shooting and call it 'lifestyle' photography. Then enter it in a contest or something, you never know.


Happy shooting.
ING
!jen