Lifestyle vs Traditional Family Photography: The Key differences



Hello lovely families!


The type of work I do is called 'lifestyle' family photography, which is somewhere in between traditional, posed family portraits and documentary-style photography. To get a clearer picture of what this means, I've broken down the key differences below:


Setting


  • Traditional: Usually takes place in a studio or a specific outdoor location with everyone dressed in their best outfits. The setting is not highlighted, with the background often blurred out
  • Lifestyle: Often shot in a place that is meaningful to you and your family. This could be a park you regularly visit, a a walk in the woods, or the comfort of your own home. Don't worry if nothing comes to mind - I have loads of beautiful, scenic locations up my sleeve that I can suggest to you. The setting is often a part of the shoot, with the beauty of nature or your family home incorporated into the images.


Posing


  • Traditional: Everyone is carefully posed, smiling at the camera in perfect harmony. The photographer might give you directions like "Put your arm on their shoulder" or "Look at me and smile"
  • Lifestyle: Poses are natural and relaxed. The focus is on interactions and genuine moments, capturing your family as they authentically are. I might suggest some fun ideas, such as "let's play a game of chase" or "how about reading a story together?" but I won't tell you how to stand or where to look.


Mood


  • Traditional: Formal and polished, perfect for mantelpieces and photo albums.
  • Lifestyle: Casual and cozy, reflecting the real dynamics and love within your family.


Time Commitment


  • Traditional: Quick sessions where the aim is to get the perfect shot with everyone looking at the camera.
  • Lifestyle: Typically longer sessions to allow time for natural moments to unfold and be captured authentically. I do occasionally offer seasonal 'mini-sessions' where I condense my usual experience into a much shorter session - keep an eye on social media to be the first to hear when I announce these


Interaction


  • Traditional: Minimal interaction as everyone focuses on the camera.
  • Lifestyle: Lots of play, laughter, and genuine connections—think tickle fights, baking together, or reading a favourite story.


Flexibility


  • Traditional: More rigid, as everyone needs to be positioned just right.
  • Lifestyle: Highly flexible, allowing for the unpredictability and spontaneity of real life. Perfect for capturing kids just being kids!


Outcome


  • Traditional: Beautiful, polished photos that are timeless and perfect for formal displays.
  • Lifestyle: Authentic, storytelling images that capture the essence of your family’s unique bond and everyday joy.


And that pretty much sums up the differences - was there anything on there that surprised you? Lifestyle photography is not for everyone and if you prefer a more traditional, posed look I can recommend some great photographers that do this really well. If lifestyle family photography sounds exactly what you're looking for, take a look at some of my work to see how the results turn out! If you have anything you'd like to add or you'd like to hear more about what I do, contact me on the form below 😊



Sarah