Lifestyle bloggin’ ain’t easy but somebody’s gotta do it! And to make sure you do it right, it’s helpful to think about your topics, blog posts, sponsored campaign ads, and instagram posts in advance and then pull together what you need prior to the shoot. Don’t know where to start? Below are a few lists to help get your creativity flowing!
You don’t have to incorporate all of these shots into your lifestyle session, this is just a guide to help you put together the best shot list for your brand. Take a look, add your own shots as you think of them, and most importantly relax and get ready to have fun!
Shooting at Home/Indoors
Lifestyle images at ‘home’ are easy-peasy because this is your element! You’re just doing what you would normally, just a little more dressed up and a photographer following you around, no biggie! Open all the curtains, let ALL the natural light in, and don’t worry about being perfect, just focus on being authentically you. If your home isn’t aesthetically pleasing, try a curated studio or peerspace to make all your Kinfolk/Cereal mag dreams come true.
Living Room
Normal Kelley Raye lifestyle portraits (some candid + some intentional)
Hanging on couch
Reading a good book
Flipping through a fav magazine
Drinking coffee
Pouring wine
Working on laptop
Using phone/ipad
Lighting favorite candle
Family game night with kids/spouse
Holding/using a favorite ‘product’
‘Fixing’ a picture on the wall
‘Fixing’ pillows
Using a cleaning product
‘Adjusting’ a home décor item
With yoga mat/doing yoga poses or breathing exercises
Making a phone call
Lighting a candle
Writing in notebook
Writing in calendar
Reading the newspaper
Taking a selfie
Cleaning
Sitting by the fireplace
Watering plants
A collection (buttons, shot glasses, cards, etc)
Putting on a coat
Packing work bag/purse/backpack
Putting on cute shoes
Talking into podcast mic
Kitchen
Normal Kelley Raye lifestyle portraits (some candid + some intentional)
Pouring tea/coffee/wine
Drinking tea/coffee/wine
Making a smoothie
‘Celebrating’
Pouring water from a cute pitcher into a glass
Chopping bright colored fruit
Laughing/Chatting with friend or family member
Showing your kid how to do something
Making lunch
Grabbing something in the fridge/cabinet
Working at the kitchen table or counter
Holding a favorite cooking or kitchen ‘product’
Using a cleaning product
‘Cooking’ something or pulling something out of the oven
Mixing ingredients
Opening/drinking favorite cold drink
Eating popcorn/favorite snacks
Home Office
Normal Kelley Raye lifestyle portraits (in chair, leaning on desk, leaning on wall)
Working at desk
Hands on laptop
Talking on cell
Using phone
Phone in hands (over your shoulder)
Drinking coffee
Having a virtual meeting via laptop
Writing in notebook
Working on computer/laptop
Using a favorite office ‘product’
Bedroom/Bathroom
Sitting in closet (think ‘spring cleaning’)
Making the bed
Touching makeup, perfume, products, etc on a vanity or counter
Sitting on edge of bathtub (holding a self-care product like you’re getting ready to use it)
‘Applying’ lotion to face (like just a dot on your cheek, nothing crazy)
Feet hanging out of the bed (think Monday morning blues)
Laying upside down on bed (feet up on headboard)
Pillow fight
Lounging on bedroom couch
Feet in slippers
Face mask
Painting toenails
Putting on makeup
Checking yourself in the mirror
Fixing hair in mirror
Packing a suitcase
Backyard
Normal Kelley Raye lifestyle portraits (some candid + some intentional)
Laughing
Enjoying life/hair blowing in the wind
Sitting in patio chairs or by pool (if appl)
Barefoot in the grass
Doing an outdoor activity
Playing with pets
Playing with kids
Flat lays
Makeup and skin care products
Beauty products (individual or as a group)
Self-care product round up
Lipsticks
Your desk
A packed or half-packed suitcase with some items around it
Different food set ups (sandwich, fruit, bento box, etc)
Products from any brands that you want to showcase
Shooting on Location
These images can be shot outdoors in your favorite on-brand neighborhood or location, or inside a location such as a coffee shop, co-working space, photo studio, etc. These shots are typically casual, not too serious, and showcase a day in the life of you ‘on-the-go’.
popular lifestyle ‘boss’ images
Normal creative lifestyle portraits in ‘Kelley Raye’ style
Working on laptop
Taking a client call on cell
Taking a virtual call on laptop
Using iPad
Using phone
Walking
Casually chilling on a wall
‘Headed to a meeting’ (to go coffee, bag)
‘Running’ across the street
Talking to a client or friend (need a friend for this)
With ice cream
Enjoying lunch
In front of store or coffee shop
Be a Prop Master
Not only do props make images more natural, but they also give you something to do with your hands! Use this list to pull together props that would make your lifestyle session pop like only you can!
Props to consider including:
Laptop
Travel coffee mug
To-go coffee from your fav shop
Bags/Purses
Sunglasses
Airpods
Favorite coffee mug(s)
Notebooks
Cute pens
Favorite books
Books that go with your brand
Suitcase (and clothes and shoes to go inside)
Your phone
Crystals/Sage
Candles
Cutting Board
Magazines
Jewelry
Your dog
Throw blanket
Clothes rack
Pillows
Camera
Podcast mic
Vintage camera
Greeting Cards/Postcards
Wine
Water bottle
A friend
Mask
Upcoming holiday related items
Anything ‘you’!
If you forget a prop, no worries!
We’ve trained for this! I have an entire bag of tricks that includes coffee mugs, wine glasses, journals, notebooks, calendars, sunglasses, letter board, magazines, boss books, cute pens, and more. But most importantly….Rosé.