Definition of ‘Fun’style Photography

When I’m taking pictures, I’m capturing life, in a specific moment. I might set my clients up in a silly situation, but rarely do I pose. The purpose of lifestyle, or as we call it here, ‘fun’style photography, isn’t about capturing that flawless portrait of you. If that’s what you’re looking for, that’s fine, but that would be better achieved at a studio, where most of the factors can be controlled – background, lighting, posing, etc. There are so many definitions of lifestyle photography, but for me, it is about capturing life in the real at that moment – real laughter, real tears, real joy, real family bonds, real love. Only then, do I try to find, thru an artistic eye, interesting angles, fun locations, surprise moments. That is what inspires my art. Not flawlessness. Not perfection. Because life isn’t perfect. Life is peppered with character, strife, difficulty, pain, joy, celebration, differences and like seasonings in your favorite recipe, these all keep life from being..well, boring. (Sorry for the bad food reference.. I haven’t had breakfast yet.)

Why do we call it ‘Fun’style Photography?

When I first started out in photography, the term Lifestyle Photographer kept popping up all over the place and I didn’t quite understand it. Some stock photographers (photos for a specific situations, for ad agencies, etc) define lifestyle photography as the recreating moments of everyday life, but making it look better, sellable. Lifestyle photography has become the cornerstone of stock photography. For me, however, lifestyle is a way in which a person lives. When I photograph a family, I’m capturing a moment they are living right then and there. Of course, we all want to look nice, and having photos is a great excuse to go buy a new outfit and get dressed up. But the interactions between siblings, between a husband and wife, between a boy and his dog, those moments are what holds the most meaning to my clients. My clients want to preserve everyday moments with the same attention and care as they do with birthdays and graduations. Because childhood is too short not to honor everyday.

Childhood is fun, too. A lot of fun. And to keep this post short and sweet (hehe), that is why we call what we do ‘Fun’style photography. Too many of us have had that awkward in-studio family portrait, and for many of us, that is the first emotion we feel when we think of having our picture taken.  The biggest compliment we have received have been from the dads, who admit they were dreading coming to the shoot, but leave feeling happy (and often tired) from playing with their kids. That was easy and a lot more fun than I thought it would be, I often hear them say.

Of course we do a few traditional-style shots mixed in, if our clients request it.  My goal is for every image to be one that tells your story, either in an album or framed on the wall. We’re not just taking snapshots, folks.  The art of making beautiful portraiture takes patience, practice and attention to angles, perspective and light.  This is easier said than done!  But if done correctly, you will have a portrait of a moment in your family’s authentic and cherished life!  And you’ll have fun doing it, too!

Take a look at some examples of our ‘fun’style moments… from weddings, to special events, to our family sessions.. we love our clients!  Thank you for your continued support!