Romanticizing Your Life with Photography
In our fast-changing world, there is so much drive to “do it all”- we build our careers, raise our children, and manage our homes. If we’re lucky, we’ll make time for friendships- and if we’re exceptionally fortunate, we might even be able to carve out a sliver of time for ourselves.
An old philosophy has resurfaced as a rebellion against this exhausted life. This idea is wrapped in intentional living, moving at a slower pace, and enveloping our lives in moments of connection. This philosophy is the basis of my creative practice- both professionally and in my personal life.
I’m a romantic at heart, and my raw aspiration is to bring that idealism to life. When I’m creating photos with a client, I want to highlight the beauty of small, everyday moments. I want to make mundane details feel captivating. Our lives are rarely made of grandiose experiences. The things we hold close are the little things that are so easy to forget.
Here are some of my suggestions for romanticizing your life during your photography session.
1. Curating the Right Atmosphere
Whether doing an in-home session or shooting somewhere outside, the atmosphere is an important story-telling component. We can create a warm atmosphere through lighting, textures, and intentional use of certain colors. When planning your session, consider how you might want your photos to feel. What emotions do you want to have when looking back at these photos?
2. Interacting with the Environment.
A good environment for story-telling goes beyond aesthetics. You need to be able to interact with it. In part, I choose locations for how much you might be able to interact with that space. I encourage movement because it helps everyone feel more natural. For example, if I’m shooting at the First National Bank in Downtown, Huntsville, I might have you sit on the steps, walk the steps, lean against the pillars, run the path, etc. If we’re working at Indian Creek, you might dip your toes in the water, run with your kids in the field, or snuggle on a blanket. So when selecting a location, think about how your family might engage with that space.
3. Finding Points of Connection.
Making a point to connect with your loved ones during your session does a few things. First, it helps everyone stay engaged in the session- from the smallest child to the shy adult. If you can connect, your session will feel better, and your photos will be more sentimental.
Talk to your loved ones during the session, be silly with your kids, and smile at your spouse. If we’re shooting outside, talk to your kids about the environment and encourage them to play.
You can also connect intentionally using props in your session. Board games, musical instruments, and favorite books are just a few things you might include in your session. You can also incorporate a favorite snack or drink. Fruit photographs nicely! Things that help you take action and engage with each other during your session will help you feel connected to the process.
