What is lifestyle photography in Asheville?

Have you spent some time browsing websites and you’ve seen photographers, like me, call themselves an Asheville Lifestyle Photographer? What does that mean and how does it affect you?

Well, in order to explain what a lifestyle photography is like, first let me tell you what it’s not.

Lifestyle is not traditional posed photography.

This classic, formal style was very popular in your parent’s generation. Generally you will see everyone looking directly at the camera and smiling. They look like they’ve had some help achieving their perfect pose and tend to look a little on the stiff side.

Often this style is done indoors at a studio and there is very little interaction between family members.

With newborn sessions, the babies are posed like pretzels into adorable, but not always natural positions. Often you will see babes in cute baskets wearing headbands. This style of photography can be very beautiful, but it’s just not my thing.

Lifestyle is not DOCUMENTARY photography.

This style may be less familiar to you, but it is becoming more and more popular. Documentary photography is documenting you, your family or your baby in an environment, usually your home. The photographer observes you as you live your life, with little to no direction. You’re showing what your true life is like which includes running noses, temper tantrums and possibly a messy house. This style is for anyone who wants a very real, true approach to documenting their lives and their family member’s personalities. It shows the good, the bad and the in between.

I am a Lifestyle photographer and to put it simply, it’s a blend of the two styles above.

Lifestyle photography to me has a less formal, more everyday REAL look to it. The main objective of a lifestyle portraiture photographer is not only to show what a person looks like, but to also tell you what makes that person or family special.

It’s a mix of authentic and staged. During the photo shoot, I give you just enough instruction so that you know what to do, but not so much that you look stiff and overly posed. I encourage movement and playfulness which will allow you to relax and be yourself.

During a newborn session, I might suggest that you lay down on your bed near your baby so your faces are close together. I’ll ask you to reach out and just “be” with your baby and do what feels natural.

Lifestyle photography aims to capture you and your family in an artistic manner. If you’re looking for a lifestyle family photo shoot, give me a hollar!