A lifestyle photographer’s guide to day-in-the-life photo sessions

When I first started thinking about offering day-in-the-life photo sessions, I was so nervous that I wasn’t going to do them right. I knew I didn’t want to spend full days away from my family, and didn’t want to shoot for that long. I also knew that documentary photography just wasn’t my thing. So instead of deciding it wasn’t for me, I made it for me.

I started with a five-hour documentary session without structure and finally settled on what I offer now: a 3-4 hour session with some structure. I am a lifestyle photographer, not a documentarian. I wanted to make sure I brought that sensibility into my day-in-the-life photo sessions. I do this by providing activities instead of letting the day unfold completely naturally. My day-in-the life sessions are also shorter than most. You could even say my sessions are more of a slice of life. Either way, I made day-in-the-life photo sessions work for me and the way I shoot.

Before the session

Before the session, I send out a questionnaire. I ask the family about their interests, what they love about their kids, and what a typical day looks like. Through these questionnaires, certain themes always emerge. It may be their love for baking, doing Legos with their kids, or scootering in the backyard. I usually suggest we do one of these activities and tell the family to pick one or two others. This allows some structure for families that don’t know what to do while I’m there.

This is certainly a more styled approach to day-in-the-life photo sessions, but one that my clients have taken to and really love. They are doing the things they normally do, but in good light, great clothes, with a clean house. I always tell my families that my day-in-the-life sessions are authentically them, but on their very best day.

STYLE RECOMMENDATIONS: I tell clients to dress in what they would wear around the house on a day they were going to have company. That usually looks like ripped jeans and a t-shirt or blouse for women, and a t-shirt and jeans for men. I recommend not having logos or characters on any clothing as it distracts from the general vibe. I also tell clients that anything that is out in their homes will be photographed. Hate that baby jumper? Hide it. Want to remember the 500 binkies laying around the house? Leave them there!

PRO TIP: The night before a session, I go over the questionnaire. I memorize the names of each family member and try to remember their interests and personalities. There is nothing worse than going into a shoot like this and forgetting a name.

The session

When I arrive at a client’s home, I immediately make friends with the kids. I ask them to show me their rooms and their favorite stuff. I prioritize gaining their trust. Above all, parents want their kids to behave during sessions, and making friends with the kids is a great first step.

I also quickly brief the parents on expectations. I tell them that while we have set activities, this is a casual day with lots of time to fill. If one of their kids doesn’t want to do an activity at a specific time, we will save it for later. If they decide they want to add in a different activity, we go for it. The activities are more a jumping off point, as opposed to a set schedule.

Since I’m there for four hours, things will typically go sideways at some point. Kids get tired, they get bored, or parents try to discipline them for bad behavior. When this happens, I do my best to get out of the kid’s hair. I take that time to photograph another child, or photograph the parents alone. Anything to take the pressure off the child who needs some space. When they seem calm, I go back to them and try to redirect them by having them choose the thing we do next. We stop regularly for snacks, play breaks without the camera and any moment a child may need some extra time alone.

Culling and editing

Day-in-the-life photo sessions yield huge galleries. I will sometimes shoot 600-700 images in four hours. Since I typically shoot through a moment (pushing the shutter on continuous mode through a laugh or a tickle fight), culling usually cuts that number in half. I want to make sure I’m delivering moments to my clients, so I’m ruthless in culling. I usually only save a few images from each scenario with the biggest, most bold emotion. Emotion is always my first choice. If it’s there, I will choose it over great composition or good light any day.

For me, editing is just doing a quick enhancement for contrast and tones, and checking for white balance and exposure. I’m a very clean editor, so oftentimes, a full gallery can be done in an hour and a half.

Delivery

My day-in-the-life photo sessions include an album. After I cull and edit, I bring them into SmartAlbums and design the album. It’s a quick process, maybe 15 minutes, as the software makes it so easy. Just like culling, I go with my gut and blow up my favorite images for their album. I then send the spreads off to Finao for them to make my 10-inch by 10-inch playbook to deliver.

Instead of providing images first, I wait until the album is delivered and then send the gallery. The album helps tell the story and is far less overwhelming than 300 images in their inbox. Clients love getting their images this way, and can focus more on the story instead of just a few images.

Day-in-the-life photo sessions are something special. They allow a photographer to really get to know a family. The family gets to relax in the comfort of their own home and kids are generally more at ease. Parents can rest assured that if their toddler throws a tantrum, or something goes sideways, we have plenty of time to course correct. My families are drawn to a more structured session, with a polished feel, and I’m so happy to be able to give that to them.

If you don’t feel like the traditional day-in-the-life is for you, change it! I did, and I’ve never looked back.

Cristin’s bag of tricks

I bring the entirety of my gear with me for day in the life photo sessions, just in case. This includes a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (and Canon EOS 5D Mark III as backup) and several Canon lenses, including a 100mm f/2.8 macro, 85mm f/1.8, fisheye, 24-70mm f/2.8 and a 35mm f/1.4. I also bring a flash.

For the most part, all of that gear sits in my bag. I usually just stick my 35mm on my Mark IV and call it a day.

All photos by Cristin More.