When I first heard the term “Lifestyle Photography”, I imagined those branding images of people in coffee shops working remotely on a laptop computer from some distant location with a perfectly placed air plant on a reclaimed wooden table – you know, just livin’ that good life.

And to be clear, I’m totally down to travel the world and photograph you doing just that… I will even bring the air plant.

But what I didn’t expect was that this style of photography could apply to every type of photo session – and I, in fact, preferred this to shoot and have this type of imagery myself. I love the connection and emotion.

What I also didn’t expect was this term has a varying definition based on what photographer you meet. So feel free to apply your own meaning and we can all take what we need from it. For now here is the trusted Wiki definition:

“Lifestyle photography is a kind of photography that mainly aims to capture portrait/people in situations, real-life events or milestones in an artistic manner and the art of the everyday. The primary goal is to tell stories about people’s lives or to inspire people in different times.”

For me it is more directed/styled then documentary photography but less posed than portraiture. It involves personal touches from your life and style – your home, your favorite location, your favorite activity. It’s basically you on your very best day with a outside person suggesting tickle fights in bed. Oh yea, and there is a camera there too.

The youngest proudly climbing the stairs, sand play at the local beach and closing the blinds in your holiday decorated home. All magical moments. We did take some more posed shots to have the traditional holiday card image, but then it was on to play.

Baby Woods even rolled over for us for the first time while we were playing on the living room floor.

These are photographs of my boys while we were visiting Grammy and Pop pops home one weekend. It feels just like our life with some style.