- Julie
How To Prepare For A Lifestyle Photo Session
The secret is out...no one’s life really looks like their perfect Christmas card photo. But, our everyday lives are pretty perfect just the way they are.
Family photos do not need to be the perfectly posed, slightly uncomfortable, photos we all grew up with. Simply capturing your everyday life and celebrating the simple joys can create beautiful images. An in-home lifestyle photo session is all about telling your family’s story. Capturing your messes and giggles. Celebrating the perfectly imperfect. And, capturing your life in the place you feel most at ease – your home.
Preparing is the key to having a beautiful lifestyle session. Spend a few minutes thinking about what you want to capture, what you want to do, and how you want your images to feel. Here is what to consider when planning a lifestyle session with J Bryant Photography.
What is a lifestyle photo session?
Lifestyle photo sessions are designed to tell the story of a day in your life. Simply doing what you love with the ones who matter to you the most. An in-home lifestyle session can be full of life, emotion, and interaction. It can even be fun! Shocking I know! Whoever thought family photos could be fun? No stuffy posing or awkward smiles. Just you, doing you.
Lifestyle sessions are becoming popular for newborns and fresh 48 photos. It’s a great way to sprinkle in posed photos of babies with family snuggles on the couch. All in one session. However, lifestyle sessions are not just for newborns. In-home sessions are also great for families with young kids. It’s an opportunity to let them be themselves and really enjoy the photography process. Lifestyle sessions also allow for a sense of intimacy that you may not find in a studio. Making them ideal for couples and maternity sessions as well.
Simply put, an in-home lifestyle photo session helps to capture and celebrate the art of your everyday!
What should I do during a lifestyle session?
The key to a successful lifestyle photo session is having an activity. Choose an activity that feels genuine to you. If, for example, you never bake, don’t plan to make cookies. It will just stress you out!
Activities can be as simple or as adventurous as you like. Think of activities that the whole family can engage in. That will allow you to move freely, laugh, and have fun. Maybe your family loves storytime. Or, maybe building forts is more your thing. Whatever you pick, ensure you have all the supplies needed and that you plan the session at a time that makes sense for your family.
Consider some of these fun ideas as you plan your family’s in-home lifestyle photo session:
Reading books
Cooking dinner
Baking cookies
Bath time
Dance party
Fort building
Gardening
Playing on the swings
Snuggles on the couch
If you’re planning a newborn lifestyle session, we’ll focus on smaller activities such as diaper changes, feedings, bathing, and lots of snuggles.
No matter what activity you choose, have fun! Pretend I’m not in the room with you or incorporate me into the play. Either way, we’ll all have a blast.
How to prepare your house for a lifestyle session
I’ll let you in on a little secret. Shhh...my house is just as messy (if not more) than yours. Leftover breakfast dishes piled up in the sink, toys on the floor, and laundry waiting to be put away. I promise, your house does not need to be spotless for a lifestyle session. I won’t be doing any white glove inspections and dust and germs do not show up in pictures.
Picking the rooms
Pick an activity and the rooms the activity will occur in. Choose the rooms where you spend time. I personally love to shoot in a baby’s room (even if they aren’t using it yet), your bedroom, or the living room and kitchen. Rooms that are light and bright with a strong sense of your character.
So if that means snuggling in bed to watch a movie. Great! Or, if that is goofing off on the couch while playing a game. Even better! Align your activity and the location that allows you to relax and enjoy. Being natural and doing the things you love will help the photos have real authenticity.
Tidy up. Don’t clean-up.
Instead of worrying about cleaning your entire house focus on tidying up the rooms we’ll be focused on. No need to deep clean all the toilets. While I appreciate it, it probably isn’t necessary.
Before the session, walk through each room we’ll be using and clear the clutter off of tables and counters. Toss the throw pillows on the couch and fluff the blankets. Make the bed and open the curtains. Only focus on the rooms we’ll use. Don’t worry about the whole house. Just remember, I will not be taking photos of the whole room, just small parts. You and your family are the main focus.
What to wear for a lifestyle session
Dress for the occasion. We’ll be working in your home so your outfits can be as casual or as fancy as you’d like. Just remember, snuggles in bed look a little awkward when you’re wearing heels and pearls.
If you want to go barefoot or your kids want to run around naked. I don’t mind. It’s all about what will make you feel great and capture the moment.
Consider these tips when picking what to wear:
Ensure your outfits blend with your surroundings.
Wear something you feel comfortable and confident in.
Soft pastels and neutrals shoot beautifully, especially for newborn sessions.
Avoid bright colors or bold patterns. These can be distracting and mess with skin tones in your photos.
What is the flow of a lifestyle session?
I begin all of my lifestyle sessions with a tour of your space. I may open curtains, remove some clutter, or rearrange a few items to get the best space. If we have a more detailed activity planned, we can talk through the activity and get everyone started.
I will move around your family during the session. At times, I may suggest we do certain activities or guide everyone. But, I generally roll with whatever is going to happen. And you should as well. If the cookie batter is dropped on the floor or all the cookies burn. Oh well!
During newborn lifestyle sessions, we’ll listen to your baby’s cues. This may mean several feeding breaks, a diaper change, or some extra cuddles. All of these activities are part of your everyday life with a new baby. And, they make for beautiful images.
My goal during a lifestyle session is to capture the art of your everyday. No matter what activity you’re doing or how the activity turns out – the people in these images are your people. Relax and enjoy the time together. You’ll have beautiful photos to remember this fleeting time.
Schedule an in-home lifestyle session with J Bryant Photography to capture your family’s favorite activities. Email me today to get scheduled: jbryantphotographykc@gmail.com
