Trend Alert: Lifestyle Photography

Studio 5 Contributor Laci Davis let us tag along on a recent lifestyle photo session…and shared some great tips on how you can stage your own at-home shoot.


Tub time tears. A sibling squabble. They are the “real life” moments a mom typically tries to calm, now being captured in photos.

“I think you should always do a formal family picture, but this is way more fun,” says local photographer Laci Davis.

Davis says “lifestyle photography” is a trend more and more moms are embracing – choosing to shy away from the formal, posed pictures and instead document daily life.

“People are hiring photographers to come into the home and take pictures of the family being comfortable in their own surroundings,” Davis explains. “That way you can look back on those memories and remember what your home looked like – from the kids toy room, to the laundry room. It’s fun to capture the messy real bones of your family.”

It was an idea Brittany Larsen instantly fell in love with.

“We’ve done the standard formal family picture,” Larsen said. “But this was so much more real – it was us, in a picture.

As a mom of two active toddlers, at first Larsen had a hard time just being natural.

“After a minute, though, I forgot the camera was on us,” Larsen laughs. “There were moments when I wanted to say ‘No, don’t cry!’ but then I thought: ‘this is real life, this is what we do, this is who we are.’ So I’m glad we were able to capture that.”

For Laci, lifestyle photography is not just about taking pictures – it’s about celebrating who you are, as a family.

“Photos of you being a mother, memories of your love and mothering – they are the moments that matter.”

STAGING YOUR OWN AT-HOME LIFESTYLE PHOTO SHOOT

Find Your Natural Light

Make sure to choose a sunny day to take your photos. Because you’re working inside, it’s important that it’s not dark so you can have a clean, crisp, happy image. Shoot close to your windows, and remember your east facing rooms will be lightest during the morning and west facing rooms are better at night.

Capture those real, everyday, “not-so-fun” moments.

We want to remember all the moments of being a parent. The good, the bad, and the ugly, So if your child is upset or throwing a tantrum don’t stop shooting – capture the real mothering moments.

Put the kids in a natural environment.

The children might not be so comfortable with someone in their home taking photos of them. Start with something they love to do and do everyday like reading a book together, or playing with their favorite toy. Help them feel comfortable at the beginning and the rest of the shoot will go smoothly.


Laci Davis is a local photographer who loves capturing you, being you! To view more of her work, or to schedule an appointment, visit www.lacidavisphotography.com. You can e-mail Laci at lacijilldavis@gmail.com.

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