Recently, I had a friend point out a quote from the Tao Te Ching, an ancient book that Taoists follow.
“Less and less do you need to force things, until finally you arrive at non-action. When nothing is done, nothing is left undone”.
Taoists believe in allowing life to take it’s natural course. They believed you never had to force anything, but to let things fall into place. I did not realize how much this way of thinking would ring true in my own life, specifically with my personal photography journey.
Ten months ago, my husband, my two kids, my cat and myself packed up all of our belongings and moved our entire life from Pennsylvania to Washington. We left behind our friends, family, and my photography business, which was finally becoming profitable and building by word-of-mouth referrals. During that transition, I took time off from marketing myself and photographing clients. It was a much needed break after a very busy summer. I could not have guessed that this small break would forever transform my style, my way of shooting, and my outlook on photography.
I started photographing my kids in our new home to document every moment for those who were left behind on the east coast. Once we were settled, we started taking some weekend trips in the PNW, our new playground, and I found that I could not put my camera down. Whether it was a photo of my boys splashing in the water, or a grounded view of the trees above us, I could not get enough of the details and scenery. I wanted my photos to tell a story to our friends back home. I wanted it to feel as though they were standing here with us. My portfolio and style evolved into something unrecognizable to my own eyes, but for the better. Shooting for myself became a refreshing, uplifting, and eventually, evolving breath of fresh air. Taking that much needed time out gave me a whole new perspective on what I enjoyed shooting.
With lifestyle photography becoming more and more popular, I often found myself wondering, “Could this be something I would enjoy doing?”. Instead of doing a casting call, I offered free shoots to neighbors and friends in my mommy group to rebuild my portfolio. My first real lifestyle shoot took place on a luscious property with a family that homesteads. That session became a game changer for me, and after that, I started changing my website, removing my studio-styled photographs, and replacing them with photos of families in their homes. Instead of that perfectly posed newborn on a frilly blanket, I added a photo of a toddler feeding her goats. I took down the photo of the family smiling at the camera in a field, and replaced it with photos of a family gazing down at their newest member with love in their hearts.
Editorial photography has always had my attention, but I didn’t realize it would be something I could incorporate into my paid client sessions. When I made the switch from studio photography to lifestyle photography, I left my idea of perfection at the door. I would no longer get the image of all five family members, including the baby, smiling and looking at the camera. No longer would there be perfectly framed, perfectly exposed, perfectly perfect families in a perfect park. My images portrayed real life, with raw emotion, in a family’s home. The kids were more relaxed; comfortably at ease in their own environment. They wanted to show me their rooms and very favorite trinkets. They played and laughed and lived while I sat back and froze this small window of time for their parents. I was able to flex my creativity further, use different light to my advantage, and capture photos that would bring my clients to tears when they saw them for the first time. This was exactly what I was meant to do.
Switching to lifestyle photography became an effortless change for me. I have become so relaxed and at ease when photographing a family in their home that it has become second nature. I know what questions to ask, what activities to suggest to get them engaged, what rooms to use for the best lighting. When I used to prepare for a portrait session, I could not shake my nerves. I hated posing and fake smiles and parents yelling at their kids for not looking at the camera. It was always chaotic and I often left the session feeling deflated. Now I leave my clients’ homes smiling ear to ear, and I can’t wait to upload and cull through my photos. I no longer feel as though I am sacrificing my art and vision for the sake of business. Lifestyle photography was an easy switch and the best decision I’ve made during my photography journey.
I love this! I have thought about switching to lifestyle photography myself – it is how I enjoy photographing my family. It’s the only way I will photograph newborns.
Thank you for the article, it has been inspiring!
Courtney,
Thank you so much!! Lifestyle newborn sessions quickly became a favorite of mine, especially compared to my old newborn studio sessions. There is just something about a tiny baby in her home 🙂
OMG! Brittany…i loved this article so much…your journey is so inspiring to me…I love the beautiful real moments you capture in your work….Thank you so much for such a detailed look into your photography journey…I think a part of everyone who shoots both their families and clients can all relate to your story…and i know i for one am encouraged to let go of technical perfections to just enjoy capturing my families memories the way they were and the best way i know how…i want to look back and remember natural giggles and fun not the contrived moments…because those weren’t real at the time…
I love how your style has molded and grown into what truly makes you happy…thats a gift…that not all of us have found yet…and i know i am saving your article to come back and read again and again when i need inspiration…
Thanks so much sweetness <333
Mari,
You are too sweet! Thank you for the support while I made this journey!! It’s been a long time coming, but I am so glad I embraced lifestyle 🙂 Your gorgeous telephoto portraits at sunset will forever make me swoon though!!
I loved reading this Brittany! Your work is beautiful- thanks for sharing with us!
Thank you so much!! 🙂
I love this! Thank you for sharing that quote!
I love that quote! It has definitely been applied to multiple aspects of my life 😉
I’m very early on in my photography I have a about a year and a half under my belt & I’ve already come to realize my true passion is lifestyle photography. I’m currently in transition of building that lifestyle portfolio & I cannot wait to see how amazing it’s going to be. This was such a great read thanks so much!
I am so glad you liked it! Yes, lifestyle is amazing and I am sure your portfolio will reflect that 🙂 Please share it once it’s complete!!
Yes!!! I had never thought of my style as lifestyle photography, but reading this post has been an affirmation to me. Thanks so much! Beautiful story and photos. 🙂
Thank you!! I am so glad you found it helpful. It’s funny how things happen, isn’t it? 🙂
Brittany, your work is just so pure and amazing! And I’m dying to see what your studio/posed portrait work looked like because you were so clearly meant to do lifestyle photography!
Katie, thank you!! Haha isn’t it funny that it took me this long to realize it? Some of my “best” studio/portfolio work can be seen in my CM pro application if you want to take a loo khttps://www.flickr.com/photos/brittanychandler/sets/72157637824155875/.
Good for you! I like your article,and I fully understand why you switched to lifestyle photography.
Yay I am glad you liked it 🙂 It was a big change but so worth it in the end!!
I too have learned to prefer lifestyle photography! It’s so genuine.
I completely agree! My clients and client’s children are so at ease and 100% themselves and I find it’s reflected in the photos. I found I really struggled with that aspect in studio photography.
I love love love your story here, and your images are beautiful!!! I am not in business, but if I were, your inspirational story confirms to me that this is what I would want to do too!
Thankyou ! Every word I read in your article I found myself nodding & saying to myself ‘Yes’ thats how I feel ! It was as though you were reading my mind. I am at that stage after having a year off from paid sessions & just getting back into getting my little business off the ground that Im thinking lifestyle sounds like the path for me to take. Your words about forced poses & parents getting frustrated with the kids when they dont do or look a certain way resinated with me. I have always loved a more relaxed environment and loved capturing the inner essence of people – so thankyou once again – you are an inspiration !