What Exactly Does “Lifestyle Photography” Even Mean?

• Apr 14, 2017

The term “Lifestyle Photography” gets thrown around a lot these days, and it’s easy to get confused by what it even entails. It will definitely vary depending on which photographer you ask, but that’s why I wanted to explain what it means to me.

Technically, it’s defined as “a style of portrait/people photography which aims to capture and document real-life events, situations, or milestones in an artistic manner and the art of the everyday” (thanks Wikipedia). I so enjoy this style of shooting because I got my start as a photojournalist for my school newspaper, The Breeze, at JMU (Go Dukes!!) and interned at several magazines. I originally liked this style because 1) I was shy and preferred not to get involved anyway and 2) I wasn’t 100% confident in what I was doing. But nowadays, I love it because it’s a better shot than anything I could stage anyway.

In every session of mine, I aim to capture the raw, candid moments that unfold before me. One of my specialties is events, so I’m often a fly on the wall, roaming around with my 70-200mm lens shooting paparazzi-style as I like to call it. Even in portrait sessions, I like to suggest locations that I feel fit the subject(s), or even ask where they’d like to shoot instead of some random place I determine. A lot of the time I’m shooting local businesses or people for HR Growler Magazine, which does take some styling but for the most part it’s people in their element.

Regardless of who or where I’m shooting, the recurring theme is that it’s me adapting to their lifestyle and capturing it from my perspective. As a sampling of what’s been going on in the world of JSP, in the past three weeks I’ve shot some beer and grilled cheese for The Birch, some Spring fashion for Jody G, the King Neptune Coronation Gala for the Neptune Festival folks, a couple of features for HR Growler Magazine and a headshot session for a local businessman. Random, right?? I totally love it though. It’s never a dull moment!

Unfortunately I can’t share any of the awesomeness from HR Growler yet, (stay tuned though!) however I can share a peek at what I’ve been staring at on my screen lately!!