Lifestyle Photo Shoot Tips

Lifestyle photography is a type of photography that captures a lifestyle through aspirational imagery. It is often used for marketing and advertising purposes but can also be used for editorial pieces. Lifestyle photography is a way to highlight the lifestyle of the people or product being photographed visually. These types of photographs are meant to take the viewer into the world of that person or family. Lifestyle photography is also known as “editorial photography,” “commercial photography,” and “advertising photography.”

Lifestyle photography can be used in various contexts, from a magazine editorial spread of a celebrity to the advertising of a product; the focus is on the lifestyle of the person being photographed. Lifestyle photography is not just about documenting what you have; it’s about selling who you are and what you stand for through your home, wardrobe, and everyday objects. It can help boost your online presence and open up new opportunities for collaborations with brands that align with your values.

1. Send Your Clients Questionnaires to Know Their Interests

Before you head out for a photo shoot, send your clients a questionnaire to learn about their interests, hobbies, career, family life, etc. It’s an excellent way to get to know your clients better and find out what kinds of things they are interested in, so you can incorporate those elements into your shoot. This will help you make a more personalized shoot and give you a lot of inspiration for your final shoot. If you don’t have a budget for a lifestyle shoot, you can always do an at-home shoot where you can incorporate some of your client’s interests into the shoot.

2. Make a Shot List

Make a shot list before the shoot, so you have a rough idea of where the shoot will go and what you want to capture. This will help you stay organized and ensure you don’t miss a beat. Having a shot list is always a good idea, especially in lifestyle shoots with many elements to shoot and organize. This will help you stay focused throughout the shoot and ensure you don’t miss anything.

It’s essential to make a shot list for lifestyle shoots because there are so many different elements to consider. You’ll want to shoot the living room, bedroom, kitchen, and backyard, plus there may be other areas that your client wants to photograph. With so many different things to shoot, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and forget something important.

3. Make Sure Everyone is Comfortable

It’s essential to ensure that you or the client are comfortable in the shoot. This will help you feel more relaxed and reflect on your images. You don’t want to go for a super serious and tense lifestyle shoot because it won’t come across in the final images and will make the shoot seem forced. Before the shoot:

Ensure that you and your client are relaxed and as comfortable as possible.
Bring snacks or tea for your client since hunger can make you feel uncomfortable.
Try your best to keep the mood light and playful, so it’s fun to be a part of your shoot. This will show in your images and make your clients feel more comfortable in the images.

4. Capture In-Between Moments before the End Result

While you are in the middle of the shoot, try to capture some shots that don’t have anything to do with the result. You can capture images of your client getting ready, helping out with kids, etc. These in-between moments are sometimes the best shots and will give your shoot a more authentic feel. You can also do a few impromptu candid shots where you ask your client to do something they do regularly. These shots will help you get more natural expressions and make the shoot seem less staged.

You can even ask your client to walk you through their day, sometimes referred to as a “day in the life” photo shoot. This will help you capture their daily routine and daily activities with more authenticity. You can also ask your client to bring their kids or pet to the shoot, which will bring more energy and give you some fun shots to include in your shoot.

5. Anticipate Every Movement

The best lifestyle images are the ones that appear natural and effortless. You don’t want to pose your subjects too much because they won’t look authentic. However, you also want to ensure that you capture the right moments at the right time. To do that, you have to anticipate every movement during the shoot so you are ready to click the shutter at a moment’s notice.

One of the critical aspects of getting good lifestyle shots is nailing the timing, so make sure you’re ready to click at any moment. The best way to do this is to stay close to your subjects, even shooting from a distance. This will allow you to get more intimate shots and make your subjects feel more comfortable around you. You can also try to engage in casual conversation with your subjects to make them more relaxed around you and ensure that you are ready to click the shutter whenever something interesting happens.

6. Pay Close Attention to Details

At first glance, lifestyle photos may seem like any other beautiful photo with a gorgeous subject. However, when you take a closer look, you will notice the small things that make these images stand out. The tiniest details, such as the pattern on the couch or the type of flowers in a vase, can make an image more exciting and memorable.

When you are shooting, pay attention to these small details. They can make a huge difference in your images and help make them more unique. These images are meant to show off a particular lifestyle, so pay attention to small details that reflect your subject’s lifestyle. For example, if your subject is a nature lover, you can incorporate elements of nature into the images. You can also pay attention to minor details such as patterns, textures, colours, etc.

7. Choose a Lifestyle Photography Destination

If you want to go for a lifestyle shoot, you can choose a location house that best represents your subject’s lifestyle. The destination can be indoors, outdoors, or a mix of both. You can even go for a hybrid lifestyle shoot, where you incorporate both indoor and outdoor elements. The choice of destination will depend on your subject’s lifestyle and what you want to capture in your images.

If you’re going for a lifestyle shoot, try incorporating as many elements of the subject’s lifestyle as possible. For example, if you’re shooting a nature-loving couple, you can go to a nearby park and shoot the images there. If you’re shooting a city-loving couple, you can go to the city, find exciting locations, and shoot the images. If you’re shooting a work-from-home-loving couple, you can go to their workspace and shoot the images.

8. Tell Your Subjects’ Stories

If you’re looking to create images that tell a story, you can photograph a lifestyle shoot in a way that tells a story. You can set up a storyline or theme for your images. For example, if you’re shooting a blogger who writes about their travels, you can create a storyline or theme around their journeys. For example, you could set your shoot up like a subway station, complete with suitcases, tickets, and Metro signs. You can then photograph your subject like they’re coming home from a long trip.

Lifestyle photography is a fun and creative way to shoot. It allows you just to let loose and let your creativity shine. It’s essential to keep in mind that these images should represent your client’s lifestyle, not your own. With these tips, you’ll be able to shoot stylish and creative lifestyle images that tell your client’s stories. Remember, lifestyle photography is all about showcasing how someone lives or product through images.

Lifestyle Photo Shoot Tips