INDOOR LIFESTYLE

Lifestyle sessions are always a lot of fun, but can be extremely challenging, especially when shooting in environments where you had no control in the selection of locale. Light plays a huge part in the quality of the photographs being taken. If the light is low quality, or is mixed (multiple types of light present in the scene), this can negatively impact the final product, and even cause disappointment for both your client and yourself. In my opinion, out of every type of shoot, good lighting in a lifestyle session is top priority. I mostly shoot natural light in a lifestyle session. The biggest reason for this is because of setup time and consistency. There is a time when using artificial light is beneficial, but I always look for ways to turn off all lighting and play in natural light spaces only.

Once you’ve figured out indoor lighting, and really own your process in shooting it, you can start to fine tune your posing and direction. I love lifestyle sessions for the storytelling capabilities. When you shoot most lifestyle sessions, you will be shooting in your client’s home, or maybe in a vacation rental, or hotel room. In any of these locations, you will have props all around you to use in building a great story for your clients to walk through. I try to start my stories with a natural beginning, and end them in a way that makes sense. Easiest way to start lifestyle sessions of any kind is to have your subjects prep for their story. Putting on clothes that make sense for the story, touching up hair and makeup, grabbing accessories like a coat or umbrella, etc… Then have them interact in the space allotted for the story to play out. Have them cuddle on the couch before heading outside. Have them start a pot of coffee and drink a bit before moving to the next scene.

Keeping in mind your surroundings and the props already existing in the spaces you will be using, you should never have a duplicate gallery of images from client to client. Every story will feel and look differently from the one before it, which is always so fun. I’m always inspired with lifestyle shoots because it gives me the freedom to truly be creative, and use the couple’s own history as a character within the session.

In this lesson you will learn:

• How to use tight and constricted spaces to create a beautiful little story.
• How to use natural light to your advantage.
• How to meter for soft overhead light.
• How to direct a couple in an intimate setting for fun and creative results.