What is lifestyle family photography? {Bournemouth & Poole family photographer}

Lifestyle newborn photography at home | Poole Family Photographer | Poole Baby Photographer | Poole Newborn Photographer

Whether you're expecting your first baby or are a seasoned parent of 4, finding a family photographer to help to capture your family story can be daunting. It can be hard to know who the right person is in the sea of Google searches - with so many options available, it can feel overwhelming to know how to narrow down your choices.

I know that trusting someone with your family photography is a big deal, and even more so when time-critical newborn photography is involved - so where should you start?

First of all I'd recommend narrowing down your searches by the style of photography that you're interested in -as this will make it much easier to filter out those for whom you're not a good fit. In general, baby and family photographers fall into one of three camps - studio photographers, documentary family photographers and lifestyle photographers.

At one end of the scale you have posed portraiture / studio photography where your session will most likely take place in the photographers studio against a plain backdrop. This is a good option if you like clean, polished images but not so good if you want to capture an authentic representation of your family life.

On the other end of the scale is documentary photography which aims to capture the moments of life as they unfold. The photographer is merely an observer to the scene and will not intervene. This style of photography is great for capturing the authentic, rawness of real life but as not great if you don't love the 'warts and all' approach. You may be left wishing you'd have tidied away those cups, nappies or cables which draw your eye *just a little too* much.

In the middle of these two contrasting styles of photography sits lifestyle photography and this is my happy place.

Family lifestyle photographers such as myself will have some input in terms of setting you up in good light and will ensure the background is free of distractions, and I'll also get you engaged in an activity that would be natural to you as a family. But then I ask you to forget about me and focus on your connection and just being together and I will capture the natural moments as they play out.

I think this is the best way choice for family photography because it pulls together the very best elements of the above two options.

So which camp are you in? I'd love to know.

If a lifestyle photography approach sounds like it's up your street and you're looking for a Dorset family photographer to capture your connection, then please don't hesitate to get in touch.

My photography sessions take place in your home or in the beautiful Dorset countryside (we are truly spoiled for choice where we live!) and I capture families and children of all ages.

I'll leave you with some images of this in-home baby lifestyle photography session with gorgeous Emilia because blog posts are very dull without images.

Lucy

Home