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What is the difference between Traditional and Lifestyle Family Photos?

  • Writer: Melody Coarsey
    Melody Coarsey
  • Jan 24, 2023
  • 2 min read

So, depending on your age, you probably remember Olan Mills and the traditional, static family photos we all had to get.


Our parents dressed us in what they deemed the best outfits (no matter how uncomfortable), did our hair, repeatedly told us not to get messy, drove us to a studio space (which sometimes had an outdoor area). Where were told where to sit, smile at the camera and had to smile as long as possible.


Now, if your parents were creative, you may have gotten the "look up into the light" pose to prove your family was a family of thinkers or because your parents liked the floating head look, BUT family photography back in the day was not all that fun.


To me, this is the scenario I think of when it comes to "Traditional" family photos. Now, you may love that (most grandmas do) and want everyone to smile at the camera in every photo and THAT IS OK. If that's what makes your heart happy do it.


BUT, I am not your photographer.


Maybe I have some sort of trauma response, but static family photos bother me. I prefer lifestyle family photos.


Do, I have the whole family look at the camera for a photo (usually for grandma or the Christmas card), yes I do.


BUT, we're usually yelling "dinosaur poop" or "dad farted" when we do this.


Why? Because in the end, we all want those genuine smiles from our children.


Laughter, giggles, all of it.


Then, I make them make fish faces, run, jump, dance, play. Whatever allows us to capture beautiful moments. That are true to your family.


That's what I love. Capturing those precious, genuine moments. So yes, I am a Lifestyle Family Photographer and I am proud of it.


Want to see more of what I mean? Keep on scrolling. Want to book your own family photoshoot, CLICK HERE to grab my guide with all the information.


~Melody



Smiling family of four at sandy dunes, parents holding two young children; girl faces camera, boy looks serious.

Smiling family of four outdoors on a beach, parents holding two young children, with dunes and sky behind them.

Family of four balancing on a driftwood log at the beach, smiling in warm sunset light with dunes and ocean behind

Smiling family of four बैठे on a blanket on a sandy beach, with dunes and ocean waves in the background.

Mother holding two young children on a beach blanket by the ocean, smiling softly in a calm, sunny coastal scene.

Mother with two children sitting on a driftwood log at the beach, sharing a tender moment under a calm blue sky.

Smiling mother kneels on a beach blanket holding a toddler, while father helps a young girl near the ocean at sunset

Mother holding toddler on the beach while father plays with daughter in the background; warm family moment by the ocean.

Woman holding laughing toddler on a windy beach, both with mouths open, ocean and sand behind them.

Mother hugging young daughter on sandy dunes at sunset, both in light clothes, with grassy hills and palms in background.

Woman hugs and kisses a young girl on sandy dunes under a bright sky, both in white, with a tender mood.

Father playfully tickles laughing child on a sandy beach, both in gray shirts, sharing a joyful moment.

Smiling man holds laughing toddler on a sandy beach, with dunes and cloudy sky behind them.

Black-and-white photo of a father holding a young child on a beach, sharing a tender, loving moment.

Smiling man holds young girl on a sandy beach as she cups his face, with dunes, sea, and cloudy sky behind.

Father and young daughter hug warmly on a sandy beach, eyes closed, with soft sky and shoreline in the background.

Black-and-white photo of a father and young daughter hugging forehead to forehead on a beach, tender and peaceful.

Family of four walks barefoot on a sandy beach toward gentle waves under a calm, pale sky

Family of four stands barefoot on a sandy beach, facing the ocean under a cloudy sky.

Family of four walking hand in hand on a sandy beach, smiling by ocean waves under a cloudy sky

Family of four on a sandy beach, parents holding smiling children near ocean waves at sunset.

Family of four on a sandy beach at sunset, parents holding two young children, with rocky dunes and a bright sky behind them.

Family of four on a beach, parents holding two children, with a little girl clutching a shell and smiling.

Blonde girl holds a seashell to her ear while smiling dad stands behind her on a sunny beach, with another woman partly visible.

Two children holding hands walk barefoot across a shell-strewn beach toward sandy dunes, in a calm, soft light.

Two children walk barefoot on a sandy beach scattered with shells, seen from behind; one girl has a green hair bow.

Smiling young boy in a gray shirt looking up at the camera on a warm, sandy gravel ground.

Family of four standing and playing on a sandy beach at sunset, with waves in foreground and dunes behind, warm relaxed mood

Family of four on a sandy beach at sunset, parents kissing while two young children play near the foamy surf.

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