Discover Your Photography Style
There is a section I include on every questionnaire I send to my clients that asks, “How would you describe your style?” Your answers help me understand what you have in mind for your photos so that I can help bring your vision to life. I’ve noticed that a lot of clients are unsure what to include here, so I thought I should offer some guidance. Sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start, but having at least a general idea of what you are looking for will benefit us both. While my work does have an established style—which is probably what landed you on my website in the first place—there may be some elements in particular you want emphasized in your photos. I have compiled a list of keywords you can search to help you determine what you want to see or feel when you view your gallery.
Let’s start with the words I generally use to describe my style:
Candid - Unplanned. Lively. Raw.
I think we all know what a candid photo is, right? It’s a real life moment that occurs when the subject connects with the world, not the camera. It’s my favorite thing to capture.
Warm - Comfortable. Relaxed. Content.
Warm describes how I want you to feel when looking at my photographs. It’s cozy and loving, never stiff or awkward.
Authentic - Natural. Genuine. Emotional.
Authenticity invites you in. My goal is to create photos that everyone can relate to. I want to invite the viewer to share the same emotion that was felt when the photo was created.
I love finding ways to infuse different elements with my style, and I’m always learning and growing. The photos I’ve included below are my personal interpretations of each style, but I have also included links to Pinterest boards I created that to draw inspiration from.
The following words are largely influenced by the posing and direction provided by the photographer during the session, and each style conveys a different set of emotions.
Editorial - Artsy. Posed. Angular.
Angles play a big role in editorial photography. Think of ads in fashion magazines.
Lifestyle - Energetic. Storytelling. Personality.
I would consider the majority of photos posted by bloggers and influencers to be lifestyle images. They often capture the subject interacting with their environment. This style is great for senior or branding sessions where props will be included, or interactive family sessions.
Creative - Unique. Thought-provoking. Designed.
Creative describes shots that are composed using a unique element. This could mean incorporating light and shadow in an unconventional way, or shooting through an object like a doorway or a chain link fence. It could also describe the action that is being performed by the subject.
