If you’re anything like me, I bet you’ve got a wall in your house dedicated to family photos, right? (My walls are covered in prints, canvases, and Smallwood frames!) The smiling faces on the wall serve as a constant reminder of what truly matters in life and work.
But have you ever wondered how to choose the right photographer and the right family photography style to capture your family’s unique spirit even better?
Although photographers frequently use jargon like “Lifestyle” and “Portrait,” it can be hard to truly understand what types of images these terms will produce.
So, what does it all actually mean?
Just like you wouldn’t wear a tuxedo to a beach party, some styles just work better with certain moods and moments.
First up, let’s talk about the Classic Style also known as Portrait Photography.
Classic Photography is timeless, a little more formal and almost always heavily posed. This family photography style usually has a lot of emphasis on the pose, so you would expect to see more rules than creativity.
Picture your grandma’s vintage photo hanging on the wall – that’s a perfect example of traditional portrait photography.
Generally this is the “holiday card photo.” You can clearly see everyone’s face and everyone is looking at the camera and smiling.
For the next family photography style, we have Candid Photography or some call this Lifestyle Photography.
It’s all about capturing spontaneous moments – the giggles, the funny faces, the sudden burst of dancing in the living room.
Usually this family photography style is done on-location or in studio, but your photographer might use more casual prompts and poses in order to get laughs and reactions from those being photographed.
This style is perfect if your family loves a more casual look to their photos. You might not be able to see everyone’s faces and some people’s faces might look goofy, but that’s the point of candid photography!
It’s less about perfection and more about authenticity.
One you might not hear too often is Fine art photography. This is a style that emphasizes beauty, creativity, and artistic expression.
It’s a genre of photography that’s often compared to a fine painting or sculpture, with each image carefully composed and thoughtfully designed.
The photographer may use lighting techniques to create a certain mood or emotion, and the subjects may be posed in a way that highlights their form and beauty.
The goal of fine art photography is to create a work of art.
If you’re looking for a unique image to display, this style is perfect for you!
While it may not capture the spontaneous moments of candid photography, it offers a different kind of beauty and depth.
Finally, for those who love activities, “Day-in-the-life” Photography could be your perfect match.
This family photography style aims to capture real-life events or milestones or activities in a storytelling manner, often set in personal and outdoor spaces.
So if your family loves to hike, camp or picnic, lifestyle shots will catch those special moments.
With day-in-the-life photography, there is generally no posing or prompting at all. The photographer really is a fly on the wall while your family participates in an activity you all love doing together.
I particularly love day-in-the-life photography for families with toddlers because it’s so much more fun to do an activity they love than trying to ask them to sit still and smile for a more classic type of photography session.
Another photography type I absolutelty love is birth photography, which definitely falls into Day-in-the-life photography! It’s capturing one of the biggest days of your life, right? The day you meet your baby!
Now, here’s the fun part: deciding on the best style for your family!
This isn’t about choosing ‘the best’ style out there, but rather what’s best for your family (and this might change depending on the season of life your family is in).
If your family is a lively bunch that’s constantly on the move, candid or lifestyle photography might work best. For families that love tradition and formality, portrait photography could be the way to go.
But hey, who says you have to stick to one style? Now that you know the terms photographers use for these types of sessions, feel free to ask your photographer if they do these types of photography and if they’re willing to mix and match.
For example, I generally include both “classic” and “candid” in my portrait sessions because my clients like a mix of both.
As you ponder over your next family photo session, let these family photography styles play in your mind. I hope reading Decoding Family Photography Styles: Which is Right for Your Next Family Session? has given you some solid ideas! If you’re still looking for a Hummelstown Photographer, click here to see my portfolio of family images.
I can’t wait to see you and your family in front of my lens, capturing those moments that will become treasured memories!
I’m Kate McCord, a Harrisburg newborn and family photographer dedicated to creating images that feel organic, timeless, and full of connection. Whether it’s those fleeting newborn days, the anticipation of maternity, or the joy of a family milestone, my heart is in preserving memories you’ll proudly share for generations. Serving families across Central PA, I’m here to make your photo experience relaxed, meaningful, and beautifully unforgettable.
