Difference between lifestyle and documentary.
So what’s up with this whole lifestyle?
“But I just wanted a family session”... in other words how to choose a photographer.
“Family sessions” is quite a wide phrase as any family picture will fit in it. If we would start describing all types of family photoshoots that you can encounter - this post would become 20km long I am afraid. However, there are four main styles of such photography:
1. Portrait Photography (also can be studio session) - very often have a place in the studio, in such sessions photographer creates and designs pictures in the whole. Sets up clients, light, chooses clothing, hairdo, make up etc. (of course it all may look different and be on a different level too). Overall, here client most of the time looks straight into the camera, while photographer takes care of every single detail.
2. Lifestyle Photography is a session aimed to show you in your best, although with flexible stylization. It perfectly fits in-between the other two styles, as it fully draws from both of them. In such session we will talk beforehand about your clothing choices and we will discuss location. I will guide and lead you, leaving space for your interpretation. Not on every photo you will be looking at the camera, rather, on most of them you will be looking at each other. You will hug, embrace each other, or be busy with some activity. Types of tasks that aren’t awaited moments will allow you to feel more freely and forget that you are on a photo session. The purpose of such session is to show your relationship sprinkled with beautiful aesthetics (location, clothing, final photo editing).
Lifestyle
Beautiful couple surrounded by nature and captured in this sweet candid moment.
3. Documentary Photography is a session in which the photographer becomes a photojournalist. We want to memorize your story, your day or just a moment out of your day in photographs. We can start such session from the very morning, when all of you are still in your pyjamas. We can also capture your shopping, meal preparation, a walk with your dog, or board games evening. We don’t pose here. We don’t dress in long airy dresses if most of your wardrobe consist of jeans and t-shirts. The purpose of such session is to capture everyday life. What’s here and now. Next to common meals we will show bruised knees, tears, truest hugs and all these in-between moments. It’s a showcase of your day, your moment. Such session aims to preserve the present – for you and your kids and families. The result of such session should always be a photo-book – as it is the best showcase of your story.
Documentary photoshoot
Swiming in the lake? Playing with a ball? Sure! Let’s all jump to the water just please do not throw at me:)
4. Fine Art Portraiture Photography - this style focuses on translating into reality pictures that we could just dream about. They are often far away from reality and look like taken out from fantasy books. It gets closer to portrait photography, here also, everything is designed beforehand. Photographer has the freedom to create his own image. Often achieving his goal by heavy post-processing.
So we have 4 main types of photography. Portrait, lifestyle, documentary and fine art. But! And this a big but. A lot of photographers will put some changes into their main style. You will have documentarist that will ask you to repeat some action, or to stop for a moment. You will have lifestylist that will not give you any prompts but they will give you clothes to wear and they will set up extra light around your home. So ask and discus this with your photographer. Because neither of us want to be surprised by the fact that we had different expectations.
When it comes to choosing your photographer one of the most important things is - your personal preference. Search for and skim through galleries of selected photographers (very important point! - read why here). Choose your top 5 and contact them. <emote> Talk about what you would like to get from the photo shoot. You can also talk about where will you be using those photos. Do you want to make a postcard or print out poster on your wall? So many possibilities!
It’s not worth hurrying up with the selection. Take your time and choose your best fit!
Which session do you prefer? Let me know here and we will create unforgettable photos of your family.