What Lifestyle Photography Can Mean to Your Family
By Joanna Goodman
It’s no secret that I love lifestyle photography. But why should you? Here are a few reasons you might find yourself falling, just like I did.
It’s Relaxing for Parents
My families get to relax during their sessions. No really, I mean it. This is the first reason you as a parent will begin to swoon over this style. I love playing art director, and I provide easy guidance the whole way through. I’ll get specific, and let my families know what to do with their hands and arms, so they don’t have to think about what looks good on camera. Let me take care of that! And even though I custom plan every session, I always make room for the family personality to shine as it will. Most of the time I direct my families to look at each other, play, or snuggle. This allows everyone to breathe easy and settle into what they’ve brought with them, their family connection that wins the day every time.
It’s Easy on Kids
I will never make a child do something they don’t feel comfortable doing. Parents often wonder how on earth their kid will be acting when the photo session takes place. I get it! I have four of them! But here’s the thing — I always make room for kids to be kids (and this helps them to relax). Lifestyle photography is all about the season of life you’re in right now and the family connection. If the kids are bouncy, let’s photograph that. If they love to explore, there’s room for it. If they’re shy, we warm up at their pace. Parents can rest easy, and kids respond well to simple direction with promises of movement. During a session I provide easy guidance for kids, so they can enjoy themselves, while creating opportunities to capture all the images I want.
Details Get Captured
Lifestyle photography lends itself well to showcasing the details of your family connection and season. For instance, I can’t tell you how much I love having photographed my baby girl’s curls before she outgrew them. I love finding moments within a family, as well. I will often take a photo of a whole family, then come in closer for that moment with Mom&Son, or Baby’s hand on Dad’s cheek. All these moments bring back all the feels when you see them even years later.
Lifestyle sessions are relaxing for my families, easy on the kids, and take in the details. It’s the best way I have found that can offer my families the images I know they will cherish along with an experience that enhances the connection they already have. What’s not to love?