As an art form, photography is quite complex. You have to learn the types of photography equipment and how to use them as well as shooting techniques if you want to become a reliable photographer. Not only that, but photography also has various types of specialties. One example is still life photography, where a photographer must be able to take pictures of objects and make them appear alive and tell a story. There is also a branch of silhouette photography where a photographer must be able to cleverly play with the light element to be able to take good silhouette photos.
One of the most well-known branches of photography is lifestyle photography. Even if you don't know what lifestyle photography is, you will definitely see it a lot yourself; on social media when someone takes a selfie or a fun portrait with friends. From these examples, you may intuitively guess what lifestyle photography is. You may also guess what lifestyle photography is by combining the meaning of photography and lifestyle. But is the definition of lifestyle photography as simple as you might think?
Let's discuss what lifestyle photography is and how you can start and develop your career as a lifestyle photographer using Strikingly!
What Is Lifestyle Photography?
Actually, the definition you get by combining the meaning of photography and lifestyle can give you a pretty good picture of this branch of photography. However, there is certainly a better definition that can help you understand what lifestyle photography is and better identify a lifestyle photo.
Wikipedia defines lifestyle photography as a type of photography that captures images of people in various moments of everyday life in an artistic way. Lifestyle photography aims to capture moments of people's daily lives and showcase authentic feelings. Simply put, lifestyle photography is a type of photography that captures people's stories in the moments of everyday life.
Initially, this type of photography only appeared in magazines and advertisements showing the lives of the rich or the supermodels. However, with technological developments, such as cellphones that have cameras and social media, now people can capture and tell their own stories.
How To Get Good Lifestyle Shoot
As a lifestyle photographer, you must master the use of various photography equipment and techniques. To help you take a good lifestyle photo, you can apply the following tips:
- Prioritize Authenticity
As has been said before, lifestyle photography is photography that tries to convey authentic stories and feelings through pictures of everyday people's lives. A good lifestyle photo is a photo that meets these criteria.
- Good Plan for Good Photoshoots
While authentic moments are often spontaneous, that doesn't mean you don't have to plan. Making plans such as preparing a schedule, technical requirements, and choosing a location can help you take great lifestyle photos and can make you more prepared when those authentic, spontaneous moments come along.
Making a plan can also help you get to know your client better. Learn their schedule of daily activities, what they do to prepare for their day. Learn what activities they enjoy doing and what topics they enjoy doing. This can help you get to know your clients and your clients to get to know you. When you and your client understand each other and get to know each other, you can create natural moments and get great photos.
From a technical point of view, of course, preparing the right equipment is a must for a lifestyle photographer. Learn the location where you will take lifestyle photos. Mastering the location and equipment will make you more comfortable and better equipped to work better.
- Choose the Right Location
As has been said before, lifestyle photography initially captures the lives of the rich and supermodels in a luxurious and grand setting. However, does the same also apply to your client? What is the natural background of your client’s daily life?
If you already know your client well, you can discuss with them to choose the right setting or location. Dig up information about their favorite places and consider the needs of you and your clients.
Generally, you need to consider two things when choosing a location. First of all, you want to choose a location that your client likes. If they feel happy and comfortable, of course, they will be able to act naturally more easily. Secondly, you also have to choose a location with good lighting. Of course, you can solve lighting problems by using lighting equipment. However, it can reduce the natural impression of the lifestyle photos you take. Choose a place that makes your clients happy and has great lighting.
- Make Sure Everyone is Comfortable
A good lifestyle photo is a photo that captures authentic moments of everyday people's lives. To have this moment, you must be able to make your client comfortable.
Maybe your client will be a little nervous because their daily life will be captured by your camera. Your clients will probably start doing things they don't do on a daily basis and keep you from capturing authentic moments.
To make your clients less nervous, you can interact with them as they interact with their friends. Be their friend, so they don't feel strange when you try to take photos of their daily life. During photo shoots, work closely with your clients to determine what scenes to shoot. Don't let your client think alone about what scene should be shot, but don't direct your client completely. Collaboration is key.
- Always have your camera ready
The best authentic moments you will ever capture as a lifestyle photographer are moments you never expected. You may get carried away with a natural atmosphere with your client and forget that you are in charge of taking photos. Or, the moment you are looking for comes spontaneously when you are thinking and are not ready to take the camera.
Develop Your Photography Career with a Photography Portfolio
When you've got great lifestyle photos, what do you do next? As a lifestyle photographer, of course, you want people to see your work. You want to share stories and feelings that you capture through your camera. One way to share that is to have a photography portfolio.
Other than a place to showcase your works, your photography portfolio can also be your next calling card. You may get an offer that can change your life because someone finds your work and wants to hire you.
Let's take a look at some examples of photography portfolios that can inspire you to create your own photography portfolio website.
Image taken from Strikingly user’s website
Sinten Studio is a photography studio located in Yogyakarta, Jakarta, and Bali. As you can see, its niche is lifestyle photography with historical elements combined. If you want to make a name for yourself in a lifestyle photography business, Sinten Studio is a good example to learn from.
Image taken from Strikingly user’s website
Next on our list is Anita Photography portfolio website. This portfolio website combines several colors as its colour scheme to make it easy for people to browse. Anita also has several categories on her website, which is something that you can also do if you want to reach more people in several different niches.
Image taken from Strikingly user’s website
Last on our list is Annika Enderborg’s website. Similar to Anita, Annika also has several niches on her website. She also has an online store on her website, which allows people to hire her with ease.
Build Your Photography Portfolio Website using Strikingly
You may think that creating a portfolio website is beyond your expertise. How can a photographer create a website? Isn't that the job of website developers?
It used to be true. However, now anyone can create a website. You can easily find a website builder that can help you create a website in minutes. You can even find one that can help you for free. However, you as a photographer understand that a free service will only produce mediocre products. If you want to get the most out of your portfolio website, then you'll need to invest a little of your money building your lifestyle photography website.
Strikingly is the best-paid website builder that you can use if you want an amazing photography portfolio at an affordable price. With Strikingly, you can create your website portfolio using templates provided by Strikingly and change them easily according to your needs. Not only that, you can also find websites that have been created by other Strikingly users, as you have seen above, and use their website as your own lifestyle photography website design.
Image taken from Strikingly product
You can also easily add images to your website with Strikingly. You can use large media sections that can best showcase your work. You can also help visitors browse your works by creating a gallery section where you can show all your lifestyle photography works. If you work in several different niche markets, you can easily categorize your work by creating multiple pages website.
Image taken from Strikingly product
Lastly, you can also easily link your social media and other contact details with your website. Putting in contact details is important to your website portfolio because you don't want to miss opportunities for new jobs and adventures that arise from the interactions between your customer and yourself through your website.
That is all about lifestyle photography. So, what are lifestyle photos, again? In short, lifestyle photos are photos that capture the everyday life of the subject. Not only that, lifestyle photos also convey the authenticity of everyday lives, emotions, and feelings. Lifestyle photos do not only tell what happens in our daily lives but also the meanings behind our everyday lives.
Of course, such a beautiful thing should be shared with others. You can share your lifestyle photos via social media such as Instagram like most people do. However, as a lifestyle photographer, you need a portfolio website to let people not only see your work more easily but also contact you for work and adventure.
Are you ready to share your story through lifestyle photography? Create your own portfolio website and share your story now using Strikingly!
