When I first started my photography business way back in 2011, I had NO idea what I was doing. Truthfully! I knew I loved taking photos and seeing the beauty in people and their relationships, but I didn’t know much about my camera’s technical abilities, and I knew even less about starting a photography business. And while I knew which photos I loved and which ones I didn’t, I certainly had no idea that there were different “styles” of photography.
Now that I’ve been in business for over 10 years and I have a chance to fully immerse myself in the world of family photography through education, conferences and continuous shooting, I’ve had a chance to develop and curate my own style. But I know that not everyone realizes there are different styles of photography when it comes to capturing your family.
I’ve dabbled in all different styles, but my love for photographing families rests firmly in lifestyle photography. But what does that mean? I thought I’d put together a breakdown of family photography styles, using some of my own work, and the work of other photographers I admire to showcase each discipline.
Posed Family Photography
Back in the day, families used to head out to their local Sears portrait studio in their Sunday best and a professional photographer would tell each person where to sit/stand, where to rest their hands, how to tilt their heads, and then look at the camera and smile. These days, we’ve (mostly) moved past the stuffy studio sessions and many posed family sessions take place outdoors. In a typical posed family session, your photographer will still give you lots of direction on how to sit or stand and how to hold your body. They will also ask you to look right at the camera, say cheese (or something similar) and smile.
This type of family photo is still, of course, beautiful and works perfectly in the annual family Christmas card or framed for the grandparents. Everyone is behaving in it, looking right at the camera and smiling. Our family has lots of lovely posed images from family photo sessions, and I love being able to look back and see how we’ve grown and changed.
Usually, at each one of my family sessions, I make sure we get a good posed shot, right off the top of the session. That’s when everyone is usually at their best behaviour and looking top notch. But then, it’s time to play!
Documentary Family Photography
On the other end of the spectrum is documentary family photography. I first was exposed to this type of work through local Vancouver photographer, Felicia Chang and I immediately fell in love with her work. In documentary photography, your photographer basically acts as a fly upon the wall of your lives. He or she will usually spend at least a few hours with you, capturing your life as it normally happens. A true documentary family photographer will not ask you to pose at all, nor will they alter the environment or setting in any way. Things will not get tidied up or put away, messes and tantrums may be memorialized through photos but the realness and joy of your life, as it is right now will be accurately and beautifully captured.
I love documentary family photography because it feels like a true and honest snapshot into your lives, for a brief sliver of time. Unique details like how your home looked and what your day consisted of are captured and become a really precious memento for years to come. Our family has done a few documentary photography sessions and I love looking back at these photos. I see something different and unique each time, and I know I will treasure these images as my son gets older.
Lifestyle Family Photography
As I’ve learned and grown more as a photographer, I’ve discovered that my love of family photography lies in lifestyle photography, especially images that are emotive and capture the feelings of the moment. Lifestyle photography falls rather comfortably in the middle of posed and documentary photography, in that the photographer often poses a family together or creates an atmosphere or environment for the photo, and then lets the natural interactions and reactions take over to create real moments.
When I create photos for a family, I want them to feel meaningful and beautiful, all at the same time. In a lifestyle session, you’ll get guidance on what to wear, where to hold the session, and how to pose together, but then the interactions we capture – the love, the joy, the laughter – all of that will authentic and true to your lives at this time. For my business and my style of shooting, lifestyle photography is the perfect fit!
Of course, each family photographer out there develops their own unique and original process of shooting, often blending multiple styles. While I adore lifestyle photography and adopt that style most frequently, I also make sure to capture posed shots in each session, and will shoot on the fly documentary-style if the situation calls for it. And that’s probably the case with most photographers.
My best advice is to choose a photographer who’s work speaks to you. Peruse their portfolio online, check out their Instagram and Facebook feeds, and make sure that they offer feels authentic to you and your family. And most importantly, have fun!
Eran Sudds is a Tsawwassen photographer who specializes in fun & natural sessions for you and your entire family. She is available for maternity, newborn, family portraits and headshots at locations in South Delta, or anywhere in the Lower Mainland. Contact her to book your session!
