SEATTLE LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER
WHY LIFESTYLE FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY
The best part about LIFESTYLE photography is that it's so chill, all you have to do is be yourselves! I just hang with your family and document your real life.
Lifestyle Photography is a term I’m sure you’ve heard. It’s a pretty popular way for people to describe a more candid style of photography. But if you’ve done much research on the topic, you’ve probably found a bit of a rabbit hole of information. You’ll find many photographers throwing out the terms lifestyle and documentary family photography, outlining the differences between these types of shooting styles. I could go on and on about the similarities and differences and even nerd out with some graphs and venn diagrams, but I will save you the snooze fest and simplify.
what you need to know about lifestyle and documentary family photography
As a lifestyle and documentary family photographer, I focus mainly on candid, real-life moments. Documenting your connection and love for each other is my top priority. The beauty of nature around you, the activity you’re doing together, that all adds to the nostalgia and aesthetic of your photos, but this. The connection, the love. That is where the magic is.
And, for me, the best way to document true connection is through candid photos. I always take a handful of unposed, lifestyle portraits (standing together, looking at the camera, looking at each other), but most of your time will be spent just being you, and allowing the family fun to unfold.
how I create candid real-life moments for the camera
Well, that’s a funny question, isn’t it? Because the whole point of what I do is in not creating the moments but photographing the natural, candid interactions of your family time together.
I do, however, support the happenings of beautiful moments. I have few tricks up my sleeve to make this happen. First and foremost, I create an atmosphere in which the family feels comfortable to be themselves and interact as they normally would if I weren’t around. Part of this is communication before your session.
Upon inquiry, I send out a brochure that outlines how these sessions work. This really helps answer some questions for people who are used to posed portrait family photos. I often get the question, “where do I put my hands?” Suddenly, when there is a camera around, people can get super self-aware and unsure of what to do. I work hard to relieve this stress by getting to know you before and during your session, talking with you while I photograph you (to avoid those awkward quiet moments), and showing work on my website that represents the soul of what I do.
This way, my families know what to expect and feel comfortable with me before I even press the shutter.
making artful images of your beautiful life.
Another method to ensuring fun-filled, candid family photos is to plan an activity for your session.
This is PURE GOLD. And the total bread and butter method of how I take photos that are on-brand for my style.
All of my sessions are centered around a family activity. I have found that if everyone has something to do, my camera becomes less glaring, folks become more comfortable being photographed, and we get to create a beautiful story of your family doing something super fun together.
My mini sessions are all based on seasonal, festive activities such as blueberry picking, playing at the beach, picking out your Christmas tree, or hanging out in your backyard for the summer. As for my other sessions, we plan an activity together. Either just hanging out at your home, doing your regular daily things, or we are out and about, documenting your favorite family shenanigans. Whether you like to go to the farmer’s market, walk to the park with your pups, watch your kid play soccer after you fuel up at your favorite coffee shop, the sky is the limit!
I would love to be your chosen family photographer.
It would be my honor to document you and the people you love most. I feel so lucky to be trusted with this job and I don’t take it lightly. Creating a time capsule of moments for people to look back on and soak up the beauty of their lives is my daily reality and I think that is pretty rad.
If you’d like to connect and ask me some questions about getting your family photos with me, I’m here for you! Just click that lil button below and we will become friends. It’s that easy.
let’s chat!
TAP that button and I’ll get back to you asap
CHECK OUT MY AESTHETIC:
Hello friend
I’m Anna.
Extraverted tom boy slash anxious mom with a deep love for pizza, newsies and summer camp.
I believe in love.
I believe it should be celebrated.
Loudly, quietly, and all the ways in between.
And I believe in documenting it.
In the most honest, real, beautiful way that I possibly can.
“ Anna has taken many pictures for us including Christmas cards, my bridal shower, engagement photos, and our wedding photography. She does an amazing job of making you feel comfortable and nothing is forced. She knows how to document those honest moments of smiling and laughing. Any time she has taken pictures for us she has nailed it.
I trust her completely.
Plus she's so fun to work with! ”
- Madeline and Zach
Anna has been taking our pictures since my first baby was in my belly. That baby will be five soon and Anna has been there capturing precious moments and memories for our family ever since. Anna has amazing talent (and a personality to match!) I am always in awe of what she is able to capture. I would, and do, recommend Anna to photograph you - you'll be blown away.
Puyallup, Washington