I claim to be a lifestyle portrait photographer (and wedding photographer, of course), but what is lifestyle photography? Well, your lifestyle is how you live, so basically, when I photograph you, I want to photograph you doing the things you normally do.
Think about your favorite photos of yourself when you were little-were they of you posing for your class pictures in school, polished and perfect, with a CHEESE smile? Probably not. It’s most likely the time you and your brothers decided to all put on the youngest brother’s diapers and wear them around the house (at ages 6, 4, and 2), or the times you had trampoline jumping competitions in your backyard.
Sure, there will be a few posed shots in the bunch when I come to visit you, but I really want to capture you and what you do, not just an image of you.
Here is a lifestyle session that I photographed a while back, and can’t believe I never blogged! (I have several sessions that missed out on the blog for some reason!)
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I want this room for myself:
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I love this-I asked her to show me her favorite page, and she is the big sister 
She likes to climb and jump-might explain the broken arm!
Trust me, your backyard can be cooler than you think…
Something awesome was going on behind me I love the expressions!
I always recommend photographing babies in your home, especially. You have everything there, it’s familiar to your baby…
Wait…was that last image in BLACK AND WHITE??? Yes, I can deliver your black and whites in true black and white! This family has framed photos of every baby they’ve had in true black and white in their house, so I processed these a little differently. Ask and ye shall receive!
Oh, and they have every baby in this pose in a studio…so how did we accomplish it in their house? Navy blue sweatshirt.
FUN + COLOR + PROPS + PERSONALITY = LIFESTYLE
Kids are best photographed being kids!!!
EDIT: Oh, and I also did their baby announcement/belated Christmas card design-check it out (the color is set up for printing output, not screen output, so it’s a little dull on here, but you get the idea):
+ - 10 comments
Curtis Copeland - What cute kids! Fabulous lifestyle photography. You really captured the energy and enthusiasm of these little ones. Nice work!
Zak - Oh I love sessions in people’s homes…especially when there’s bed jumping! Great stuff Rachael.
Veronica Machak - So cute, and a lovely definition of “lifestyle”!
robin - Totally fabulous, Rachael! Beautiful family and great walk through a lifestyle session. That first shot needs to be framed big and hung right above that couch.
courtney - Dang Rachael! You kick this session’s butt. Love them
The card is absolutely awesome too.
JennaCatherine - Awe!!!!!!! I love this, makes me want to be part of their family. Giggle Giggle
Kelvin Leung - Rachael, very well said and captured! Totally defined “Lifestyle”!
Jamie Burnett - Awwweee… Love these, adorable kiddos and some really great moments! Precious!
Amelia Strauss - Amazing Rachael! What beautiful shots – so much emotion, expression, and fun!!! Great job
anna - gorgeous shots… the kids are adorable. i especially love the “big sister” page – that’s totally something my bratty older sister would do, tehehe!