LIFESTYLE defines a concept of individual and community development that has its origin in the work of German sociologist Carloward Max Weber. Weber argued that a social group formed by a set of individuals, with their own behavioral patterns and attitudes, had the ability to structure its own reality independently of societal controls. Thus, individual life styles were determined by the individual’s behavior within the group. Following Weber’s theory, the LIFESTYLE concept was born.
LIFESTYLE was first introduced by Austrian thinker Alfred Adler in his famous 1929 book, The Case of Miss R. With the definition of the word itself, we can better understand LIFESTYLE: the life style of a person, his/her general attitude, behaviors, and attitudes toward social milieu, and the people and things in that milieu. In the years following World War II, however, LIFESTYLE was used to define the entire concept of how people saw themselves and the world around them.
Today, LIFESTYLE is still relevant, even though most of us use the term to refer loosely to any and all of the four elements mentioned above. For instance, the art of shooting or the art of composing are both facets of photography; while a perfect shot may also be comprised of these elements. In this light, a LIFESTYLE session would certainly include a combination of the art of shooting, the art of composition, and the art of lifestyle photography. In fact, the very concepts of LIFESTYLE are interconnected, because the very elements needed for a perfect shot need to be in place for the perfect photograph.
Therefore, a lifestyle photographer has to take into consideration what type of photographer he/she is before attempting to create a lifestyle picture. Do you want to lose weight, build muscle, build stamina, lose weight, build muscles, lose fat, and build spirit? Are you an introvert who wants to capture candid moments with friends, or are you an extrovert who wants to pose in fancy magazines and display your rippling body? The answer lies within your own personal preferences. Only you can determine if a lifestyle style photograph is right for you.
In the final analysis, then, a LIFESTYLE assignment might be taken in a gymnasium or in a quiet home. It might be taken outside in the fresh air and on a hilltop. It might even be taken in a corporate office or at a well-appointed studio. Whomever you are, a lifestyle photographer needs to have some information about you in order to find out which aspects of your life need the most work. After all, your goal is not just to lose weight or gain muscle. Your goal is to create healthy lifestyle changes.
You’ve worked hard at being happy, so don’t let yourself fall into a rut. LIFESTYLE photographs are not just about looking good. They are also about showing off your unique qualities and strengths. So don’t be afraid to express your opinion in a photograph, to show off your playful side or your laid-back approach. After all, your body speaks and an image that reflects what you are is as valuable as a photograph that reflects only you.
