You've probably seen those lifestyle photographs that capture beautiful moments from the past - parents holding a newborn child, laughing, crying, making faces at each other. All this comes under ‘Lifestyle Photography’.
But how do you capture memorable family moments like that? What is the secret behind the art of taking pictures of those happy-sad moments?
“Don’t shoot what it looks like. Shoot what it feels like.”
– David Allen Henry
Lifestyle photography is the unscripted form of photography, where you take some candid pictures that pops out those joyous or melancholic emotions. Now, lifestyle photography can include portraits, real-life events, or even setting up a photoshoot. It includes family photography, children photography, and even commercial lifestyle photography.
Even though lifestyle photography is closely related to day-to-day life, it is influenced by history and modern trends. There’s a story behind every picture, every emotion, and every expression. What is essential to understand is that they should feel natural and create the same vibe.
Secrets to master Lifestyle Photography
It’s true that Lifestyle photography can cover various other fields as well. But, there are 3 secret ingredients behind the recipe of lifestyle photography.
Activate the Speed Mode
You surely don’t want to miss those rare cases of any animal sighting or a newborn baby's candid smile. There will be many times when you will have to be ready with your camera to capture those rare and candid moments. This requires great speed and perfection. Now, you can master your speed only by practicing daily and looking at the professionals.
But, you can also take photographs by taking control of the situation as well. And it is true that many family members don’t want to pose for photographs. So, you can plan the photograph and the candid expressions, which is now being called the ‘Plandid’. I heard this term in one of the free photography workshops in Delhi of SPS Kalra.
Choose your editing software
The best way to take lifestyle photographs is to click the pictures in high resolution, and if they are in RAW format (CSR2 or .DNG), then you will be able to access even more colors in the picture. A standard JPEG image can only contain 16.8 million colors, but a RAW image can contain 68.7 billion colors. And thus, if you sit down to post-process the photograph in your editing software, whether it is Luminar or Adobe Lightroom, you would be able to set the tones and shades of different colors with far better precision.
Try to stick to one software only. This is what I also gathered while I was learning photography with SPS Kalra, where I understood the psychology of colors. This will allow you to explore the software so much that even if you take a mundane photograph, you can make it stand out.
Storytelling is the key
The most crucial ingredient of a lifestyle photograph is the story behind it. You need to know the subject and the surroundings that will create a narrative for the audience. Try new things and explore them. Click random pictures of family members, friends, or acquaintances.
Mastering the storytelling can take quite some space on your camera rolls as well. But, it will surely be a delight if master it. The storytelling of a photograph brings people close to the moments and even transcends them into those memories. So, yes, it is also a great way to really make you a great lifestyle photographer.
Lights, Camera, Click a Pic!
Capturing lifestyle photography is also a kind of art and inspiration. With such a big competition happening among photographers, it might be the case that the demand will be higher than the supply in the near future.
But, hey, don’t worry. You can always have constructive feedback from your mentors. And if there isn’t one, you can indeed find one by looking for a free photography workshop in Delhi. I have never emphasized enough how amazing it is to have an expert opinion on your photographs. I got my mentor, from where I learned photography with SPS Kalra sir.
Capturing lifestyle shots is both breathtaking and fruitful for you when you are doing photography as a profession. So, keep on practicing and don’t stop photographing.
Ciao.
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