Lighting + Posing Tips For in-home Lifestyle Sessions

In home lifestyle sessions can be hard! Lets be honest. I was intimidated by them for a long time, but with practice, I have figured out a secret sauce that works for me! I hope something on this list is helpful for you too!

1. If possible, position your subject near a window or other source of natural light. Natural light can provide soft and flattering lighting for your subject. Make sure to avoid direct sunlight, which can create harsh shadows and overexposed areas.

2. Avoid mixed lighting: If you are using both natural and artificial light, be mindful of color temperature differences. Mixing different types of lighting can create an unappealing color cast in your photos. Consider using a white balance setting to help neutralize any color shifts.

3. Aperture - In general, when shooting indoors you want to maximize the amount of light you let in, so you want to set a low aperture (under f/3.5 if possible). For indoor photography I like to use either my Nikon 35mm/1.4 of 50mm/1.8.

   This will also give a good depth of field to your picture. Meaning that the subject will be in focus while the background is soft, blurry and creamy.

4. Consider the background: When setting up your shot, pay attention to the background. A cluttered or distracting background can take away from your subject. Make sure to position your subject in front of a clean and simple background, or use depth of field to blur out any distractions.

5. Posing- This is a big one. You still need to direct clients even when doing a lifestyle session. Not everyone is comfortable in front of the camera. I always want each subject to be touching, closing the gaps between them. Once they are set, I can give them prompts (insert funny jokes) to make them laugh, capturing more candid smiles and giggles.

6. One of my favorite things to do mid-session is to tell clients they can “relax” or “take a quick break” as I adjust the lighting. Typically I am not adjusting lighting, I am snapping photos of them as they switch back into their more natural element. I will say “I’m just adjusting the light and testing some photos, hang tight and relax”! This gives them a green light to let their guard down, and I typically benefit with a handful of candid shots!

   7. When all else fails, if you are having trouble with lighting - shot underexposed. It is so much easier to fix a darker image in post than an over-exposed image. Most of the time you don’t even need to open up photoshop either. I live in lightroom!

I hope you got even one thing that is helpful from this list, and feel more confident going into an in home session!