What Is Lifestyle Product Photography?

As a business owner investing in lifestyle product photography, you’re choosing to present your brand in a way that resonates with consumers who crave authenticity and relatability in their shopping experiences. Our team of lifestyle and product photography professionals shares insights into the basics of lifestyle product photography, including tips and ideas.

What Is Lifestyle Product Photography?

Lifestyle product photography showcases products in realistic, everyday settings to demonstrate their practical use and appeal. Its purpose is to help consumers envision how products integrate into their lives, offering benefits such as increased relatability, enhanced brand image, and improved sales. Its theme, locations, background, props, and models align with the brand’s identity.

These photos are powerful marketing tools that bring products to life in real-life settings, helping consumers visualize how items fit into their daily lives. These are the components that our photographers will work on for you:

Component	Details
Applications	Social media, e-commerce platforms, advertising campaigns
Key elements	Themes, locations, backgrounds, props, models
Technical components	Equipment, camera settings, lighting, angles, composition techniques
Post-production and editing	Specialized editing software, retouching techniques

Understanding Lifestyle Product Photography

Lifestyle product photography blends traditional product photography with lifestyle imagery for more convincing visuals.

Purpose

The main purpose of this photography style is to show products in everyday situations. You capture the essence of the product by placing it in a context that potential customers can relate to.

You aim to tell a story through your images, making the product look desirable. This kind of photography features relatable scenarios to build a connection with viewers.

Benefits

This photography style makes your products more relatable and appealing to customers. Images taken in settings where your target audience can imagine themselves spark emotions and create a stronger connection with your audience.

The photos look more genuine and less staged, which builds trust. This approach also lets you showcase the product’s use and versatility, making it more appealing.

Applications

About 83% of shoppers rely on a brand’s photos when deciding on a potential purchase.

To provide visual appeal and context, you can use these images in:

• Social media content
• E-commerce websites
• Digital marketing materials
• Print collaterals

Key Elements of a Lifestyle Product Shoot

Understanding the key components of a lifestyle product shoot can make your photos more appealing and effective.

Theme

A strong theme gives your photos a cohesive look and tells a story. This photography style considers what emotions or actions the product evokes. 

For instance, would your product be used outdoors in nature, or is it more suited for a chic, urban setting? Our photography team can help you brainstorm the theme that will align with your brand’s goal, budget, and your target audience’s lifestyle and preferences.

Location and Background

The location and background set the tone for your photos. Whether you choose a studio, your office, or an outdoor location, try to choose a setting relevant to the product’s use.

Props

Photographers use props to add context and make the product feel like it’s a part of a real situation. Select items that naturally integrate with the product’s usage. For example, a breakfast table might need plates and cups if you are photographing a new cereal brand.

Models

Consumers value and respond positively to diverse representation in product imagery, including models of various sizes, ages, and races. 

Seeing models who look like them or they can relate to using the product you’re selling can be a motivating factor behind their decision to make a purchase. 

Technicalities of a Lifestyle Product Photo Shoot

The technical side of photography is where our photographers shine. We apply these aspects to create high quality, professional, and impactful images.

Equipment and Camera Settings

Depending on the photographer, some may prefer a DSLR camera, while others use a mirrorless camera. A versatile lens, such as a 50mm or a macro lens, is ideal for close-up shots. With the right gear, a photographer will use these camera settings to capture crisp, clear pictures:

• A wide aperture (f/1.8 to f/4) creates a shallow depth of field and focus on the product.
• A fast shutter speed (1/125s or faster) helps capture sharp images, especially if the scene involves movement.
• A low ISO (100-400) reduces image noise.

Lighting

We typically aim to shoot early in the morning or late afternoon (think golden hour!) for the best light quality. We also use reflectors to bounce light and soften shadows.

Softboxes or ring lights can help when natural light is not available. We will adjust the color temperature to match the desired mood of the photo.

Angles and Composition Techniques

Part of our craft is to experiment with various angles to find the most flattering view of the product. In this photography style, the goal is to center your product in the frame or create dynamic tension by placing it off-center.

We will also use focal points, where the product becomes the main focus using contrasting backgrounds or leading lines.

Post-Production and Editing Strategies

For truly stunning photos, you need a photography team who can also do the post-processing edits that suit your requirements.

Editors use a range of editing programs for editing photos. Lightroom is often used for batch editing and quick adjustments with the help of presets. Meanwhile, most editors use Photoshop for:

• Detailed editing and complex retouching
• Advanced color corrections
• Focus stacking
• Sharpening
• Noise reduction
• Skin retouching

Related Questions

How Can I Have Good Lifestyle Product Photos?

To have good photos, focus on creating authentic, relatable scenes that showcase your products in everyday settings. Work with professional photographers, editors, and models who can produce compelling, natural-looking images that resonate with your target audience.

How Can I Choose the Right Lifestyle Product Photographer?

To choose the right photographer, review their portfolio to make sure their style aligns with your brand’s aesthetic and vision. Our experience in the industry and strong technical skills allow us to create authentic, engaging photos that effectively showcase products in real-life contexts.

How Should I Plan a Lifestyle Product Photo Shoot?

To plan a photo session, start by clearly defining your goals, target audience, and desired aesthetic for the images. Hire the best photographer to create a detailed shot list, select appropriate locations, props, and models, and make sure the necessary equipment and products are prepared in advance to maximize efficiency during the shoot.

Conclusion

Understanding the various components and benefits of lifestyle photography helps your business attract the right customers who will benefit from using your products or services. Our skilled photographers can showcase your products effectively, enhancing your brand’s appeal, setting your products apart from the competition, and increasing sales.