You've heard the buzz about lifestyle photography and you've read all about it. You're fully convinced that you want to plan a session but you're short on ideas. Fear not! We're here to help. Whether you choose several or just one, we're sure these 25 ideas for your family lifestyle photography session will inspire some unique art out of what can be some of the most common moments of your everyday life.
Indoor Lifestyle Photography Ideas
1. Just relaxing
Let's begin with something simple—just relaxing! Hangin' out on the couch, on the bed, in the den, or wherever your family's go-to spot is makes up a big part of your day-to-day life. These are some of the moments that we often don't stop to fully appreciate. Don't let these sweet moments pass you by! Plan a lifestyle photography session to capture your family...chillin'. See a sample here.
2. In the Kitchen
Let's face it: if we're not 'relaxing', we're probably busy in the kitchen. Whether you're preparing a nice dinner, enjoying a family tradition (like pancake-breakfast Saturdays from Todd's childhood), or just grabbing a snack, the kitchen is a place where life happens. This makes it the perfect place to plan a lifestyle photography session!
3. Playing Games
Is your family super competitive? Amid a busy schedule of chores, homework, sports, and other extra-curricular activities it can be tough, sometimes, to get the whole gang together for something like a board game. But that might be all the more reason to plan a session to photograph these fun memories!
4. Story Time
Sitting down with a great story—or two or three—can be a great way to spend a few hours of the day. Even better, how about sitting down with the rest of the family to read a story together! And, if somebody in the family is willing to go-the-extra-mile and add in voices and sound effects, an activity that you might not have thought of as 'photographically interesting' can turn into a beautiful experience.
5. Wrestling
Maybe sitting quietly to read a good story isn't your thing. We hear that. Maybe you just have a houseful of little boys (like us). Why not play to your strengths and just...play? Tickle-monsters, pillow-fights, and good ol' fashioned 'wrastlin', as we might say down here in Tennessee, all make for great moments to capture forever!
6. Family Project
Are you building that ultimate model train set? Got a mad scientist experiment bubbling in the basement? Are you crafting your own family canoe? (These guys are!) The countless hours you devote to your special project should be preserved just as much as the finished product itself.
7. Music Practice
As your children bang drums, plunk piano keys, squeak on strings, and toot on horns, you keep telling yourself that it will all be worth it someday when they're playing in front of a concert hall packed with people. Why not make it worth it right now by capturing the beauty of your family devoting themselves to the creation of something beautiful?
8. Arts and Crafts
Maybe your kid isn't going to be the next Beethoven (ours aren't!)...maybe crayons and paints are more their style. Whether you feel you can fully appreciate their creative works at this early step in their artistic journey, create something you can fully appreciate by planning a lifestyle photography session to capture them exploring their creative side!
9. Pet show
All this talk about children might have you thinking there's no place for family lifestyle photography in the homes of family's without them. Perish the thought! A family pet can be an important part of what makes your family your family! So plan a session now to include all the feathered, finned, and furry members of yours.
10. TV Time
You might not initially think it a good idea to have a photo of yourself vegging out in front of the television but there are other times when we gather together and share special moments watching TV. A family movie night, with all the essentials—popcorn, candies, ice-cream, etc.—or watching the home team take on their biggest rival can be full of sweet moments and exciting ones that deserve to be remembered.
Outdoor Lifestyle Photography Ideas
11. Go on a Hike or Picnic
Playing games and watching TV aren't the only things that make for great family lifestyle sessions. Why not plan to go on a hike? Visit a local waterfall or some other place that means something special to your family. Or you could have a picnic in the park. Just don't forget to tell the family lifestyle photographer to wear appropriate shoes! See a sample here.
12. Backyard Play
A jungle-gym, a sandbox, a treehouse, a trampoline, a pool—do any of these describe what life is like in your yard? If your days are filled with happy moments enjoying some classic backyard play, the perfect opportunity to capture some memories awaits! See a sample here.
13. Jump in Puddles
It's every parent's nightmare but every kid's dream—to jump in a giant, usually very muddy, puddle! While not for the faint-of-heart, an activity that guarantees getting messy is usually a hit with children. The joy they experience in something so simple is definitely worth preserving.
14. Let's Ride
We know you've got some serious skills on wheels, whether it's bikes, scooters, skates, or even unicycles so why not plan a session to show off your family's wheels?
Seasonal Lifestyle Photography Ideas
15. In the Garden — Spring
We've seen some beautiful home gardens in our time and when we did we were...admittedly, a little jealous. We're not exactly known for our green thumbs but perhaps your family is. An afternoon in the garden could be considered 'work' but if you can do it together with your loved ones, you could transform it into something else entirely. And that's the sort of thing worth savoring.
16. Camping — Summer
A backyard camp-out or marshmallow roast can be an exciting experience even for the sleeping-outdoors resistant. Invite your local family lifestyle photographer to make sure you make the most of every moment and don't forget the bug spray!
17. Rolling in the Leaves — Fall
Ah, fall...it's a favorite here in the mountains of Tennessee and Virginia, all those gorgeous, changing leaves! But even if you see those little beauties as merely something that has to be raked up, if you can turn the chore into something fun you're sure to have some special memories.
18. Sledding — Winter
If you're lucky enough to live somewhere with a regular winter snow presence, or if you happen to receive a freak snow dump (like we did here in Tennessee one winter), then you're looking at a great chance to create some amazing memories and amazing photographs of your family all bundled up and slip-sliding away!
Event & Holiday Lifestyle Photography
19. Milestones
You'll never forget your family's milestones but why not have special pictures to help you relive them? Events like your child's first haircut or first missing tooth are big moments that deserve to be remembered in a special way.
20. Birthday Party
Whether the number's 6 or 60, every birthday deserves a celebration! Don't rely solely on that trusty duo (you and your iPhone) to capture all the moments. Hand the job over to a pro so you can join in the party!
21. Birth-day
And while we're on the subject of birthdays, don't forget that very first birthday. You meet someone for the first time. They're tiny. They're vulnerable. They're precious and beautiful beyond words and you know you'll love them forever and always to the end of the earth and do anything for them and just as you're about to proclaim this on the hospital rooftop, you...fall asleep. With all the emotion and excitement and exhaustion of this very special day, you'll be so glad you had the moments captured forever.
22. A Day Trip
Is the annual fair coming up? Do you have a family-favorite amusement park or attraction nearby? Been thinking about a trip to the zoo? These kinds of events are usually filled with smiles and laughter that you'll want to capture. Do you remember the look on your child's face when they held that rabbit at the petting zoo? You could. See a sample here.
23. 4th of July
A national holiday provides lots of sweet moments for you and your family. If you live in the U.S.A., 4th of July cookouts, parades and fireworks characterize almost every town. Perhaps this next 4th of July you can create some art worthy of George Washington's wall...and yours.
24. Halloween
Pumpkin carving, dressing up, and trick-or-treating might only be a small part of what makes up your family's end-of-October. That costume your child built themselves out of cardboard boxes and paper plates is a work of art. Why not present it as one? To think that these moments might ever be forgotten...now that's truly scary.
25. Christmas
We round out our list with the humble holiday of...Christmas!! Such a time of festivities, wonder and photo ops! We know our own lives are filled with the wonderful thoughts of time spent with distant loved ones, decorating holiday cookies, decorating the tree, wrapping and unwrapping gifts, parties with friends and coworkers, and so much more. If only our walls and photo albums were filled with them. Yours could be. See a sample here.
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