WTF is the Difference Between Lifestyle and Documentary Photography…?
Apparently announcing an artistic pivot comes with follow-up questions… let’s gooooooo.
So you’ve heard me talk (reality: ramble excitedly) about my dream of a Documentary Era, and a question keeps popping up:
“Ummm babes… isn’t that what you already do…?”
Honestly? Fair.
So - let’s have a natter about Lifestyle Photography vs Documentary Photography. Especially because, on the surface, both styles look warm and emotional and family-ish and full of love. But underneath, they’re completely different creatures — like morning-you making plans and evening-you regretting your choices as you leave the house after work.
Lifestyle Photography
AKA: real life, but make it cute.
Lifestyle sessions are what most families know and love - and what I’ve been offering for years. It’s the majority of what you see on your Insta feed. It’s soft, warm, emotive, and a wonderful combination of real-ish and curated-ish.
In a lifestyle session, I encourage you to cuddle, wander, tickle, play, or “pretend you love each other for thirty seconds so I can get this shot.” And yes - these prompts always result in giggles, genuine interaction and fun vibes. The connection is real. The moments are real. The laughter is real. The beauty is real.
It’s still a bit… curated though.
It’s gentle guidance to light-filled corners, less stiff poses and reminders to interact, not stare at a camera. Hopefully so subtle you may not even realise what I’m doing (I chat so much that sometimes even I don’t notice I’m doing it!).
It looks like nudging you into the prettiest light, or whispering ‘hold that cuddle one more second’ while pretending I'm not orchestrating a thing
Lifestyle gives you:
gorgeous family portraits
everyone looking their best
beautiful, clean lighting
flattering angles
emotional connection
photos you’ll frame and hang on your walls
There’s intention. There’s direction. There’s a (loose) plan.
It’s storytelling - with a soft set of training wheels on.
And honestly? I love it. It’s gorgeous and creates incredible photos.
Lifestyle is staying right here with me - it’s not going anywhere. I’m just making space for something new to be here too.
Now Let’s Talk Documentary Photography
AKA: real life, but don’t touch anything.
Documentary photography is… well… the complete opposite.
It’s not about creating a moment.
It’s about noticing one.
Documentary is me being a quiet observer (well, quiet-ish - let’s be real, I’m still me), watching your real life unfold exactly as it already does. It’s an unfiltered look at what’s happening in the moment - no matter the emotion, the messiness, the environment, the behaviour. What’s happening in front of me is the photo.
Think: the scenes you stop noticing because they’re so everyday - and the ones you’ll ache to remember later.
For me to truly remove myself from the scene requires some risks from you, the gorgeous brave client. These sessions can feel awkward AF at first (trying to ignore me is weird!), may show imperfections, often don’t look like what you expect, rely on trust and presence, and are less “aesthetic” and more “emotional record.”
But that’s kind of the point.
Documentary photography isn’t about looking perfect. It’s about being true.
It’s the genuinely unfiltered version of your family story - the kind you’ll look back on years later and say:
“Oh wow… that was us.”
And then laugh. And maybe cry. And definitely feel something.
Part of why I’m leaning into this is because the unobserved moments - the real ones - have started calling to me louder than the curated ones. Imma need to write a whole different blog to unpack that!
So which one is better?
Honestly? Neither.
Lifestyle = the beautiful story you tell.
Documentary = the beautiful truth you live.
Lifestyle is a gentle nudge.
Documentary is a quiet stepping back.
Lifestyle wants you to feel comfortable, connected, and a little bit magical.
Documentary wants you to feel… seen. Truly seen.
Lifestyle says, “Let’s create a moment worth remembering.”
Documentary says, “This moment is worth remembering.”
You can love both. (I do.)
You can book both. (Please do.)
You can mix and match as your family grows. (Perfect balance.)
There’s no wrong answer.
There’s only the answer that feels like you.
If you’re still wondering which style suits you… stay tuned. The next blog is a deeper look at personality, parenting style, comfort level, expectations, and how you want to remember your family years from now.
It’s bloody juicy and I will give the kind of clarity I dream of when I’m deep in editing at 3am and my eyes are blurring.