The world is continually growing in sophistication. Technology continues to advance, and many of us eagerly await the new TVs, cell phones, cameras, and more. Do you remember a time when you would simply sit for a portrait? The photographer would comb your hair, straighten your clothes, tell you to sit up straight, and then ask you to say “cheese, or pizza, or ice cream?” Today, there are many more styles of photography than traditional portraiture to choose from, and it can be a bit confusing. For instance, what is the difference between lifestyle photography and traditional photography?

Traditional Photography

With traditional photography the focus tends to be on the object or the person. It is basically no frills. The lighting, placement of the subject, and surroundings are all controlled. In most cases the background, color, props, etc., are of secondary consequence. When photographing people, the focus is mostly on the face, or the person as a whole including their facial expression, mood, clothes, and body language. Traditional photography captures the “likeness” of a small group, a family, or an individual. This type of photography originated with the camera, although it has come to encompass different approaches such as:

The candid approach: Describes a photograph that captures the moment without posing the subject/s.

The environmental approach: Includes the person’s surroundings.

The constructionist approach: The photograph uses the portrait to “construct” a specific idea or atmosphere.

The creative approach: Uses unusual angles, lighting, etc.

Lifestyle Photography

Lifestyle photography either captures the person or subjects in their normal environment, or re-creates that environment. It places people in real-life situations. It is a very popular style of photography. Although it may be staged, it captures the “naturalness” of the situation, often by allowing the subject/s to get lost in the moment, and to “forget” they are being photographed. While with traditional photography the photographer controls the lighting, placement of the subject/s, and the surroundings, to achieve a specific look, with lifestyle photography, they are capturing a moment in the life of the subject/s. The lighting is natural, the surroundings are natural, and the emotions are natural and unaffected.

ABOUT YOUR DALLAS, TX, PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER:

Doug Davis has been producing professional, engaging videos and product, food, and lifestyle photography from his Dallas, TX, studio for more than 20 years. D-Squared Studios is located at 4312 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas, 75226. Contact our office at (214) 746-6336 or email Doug at doug.davis@d2studios.net.