LIFESTYLE SESSIONS & WHAT ARE THEY?


Lifestyle Sessions are intimate sessions that can be with family, friends, your significant other, or just yourself.

Most people use lifestyle sessions for:

  • Bringing home a new pet
  • Celebrating life changes
  • Beginning/Completing a fitness journey
  • Baking cookies with the family or other activities
  • Apple picking
  • Daily routines
  • Fashion
  • Anniversary/Couple Sessions

And of course, it seems like you should always be posing but lifestyle photography is much more than that. It's about being your natural habitat and allowing the photographer to capture those moments. Throughout your lifestyle session, I will prompt and ask you questions that will lead to interactions, or guide you throughout the session. Of course, as your photographer, it is my duty to make sure you are as comfortable as possible.


To sum it all up; lifestyle sessions are all about capturing emotion, fleeting moments in your life that you wish you could on too forever.


Below you find ways to prepare for ANY lifestyle session that you have with me. Of course, if you have any questions after reading through this guide for me, please send me a email at shanaviabatesphotos@gmail.com

What to Wear to Your Lifestyle Session

Lifestyle sessions are intimate sessions that can be with family, friends, your significant other, or even with yourself. If you want certain things to be placed in the picture, you are very welcome to bring props especially if it helps with you feeling comfortable. 

You should definitely wear what is comfortable for you. If you don’t dress up in fancy cocktail dresses and heels, do not wear that unless your session calls for that. I want you to stay focused on the emotion and interaction happening, and compliment the setting with softer tones to not draw attention away. Just make that the attire that you chose to wear looks presentable, and make you feel comfortable at the same time.


Make sure to check out my instagram, posted a REEL of some outfit ideas that is considered comfortable for any session

Location & Timing

When picking a location, keep in mind two things; 1) you must always have permission/access to shoot at certain location, and 2) the location has what you want for your session. If you want do a session in your home, I am completely fine with that, please just keep in mind that your space needs to be decent/clean for your session. Studio is always another option but you are just responsible for that fee unless otherwise discussed by me that I will cover that fee.


Your session will always start on time. This will ensure that you get all the time you have paid for, and that you have enough time to change outfits if necessary. If any additional time needs to be added, please let me know a week in advance, so proper accommodations can be made, and fees can be added.

Pampering Yourself & Finding Inspiration for Session


Please be advised, professional makeup is required for your session. Make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before your session, and you arrive at your session with everything done (hair and makeup, unless things change). For my ladies: make sure you do not have chip nails, and For my fellas: make sure your facial hair, and hair is groomed properly. 


This is the moment where you share any inspiration photos with me as your photographer. I know personally, I use Pinterest for everything, and it becomes much easier to share and put all your photos in one spot when considering them for your own session. I recommend having a Pinterest and creating a board to share with me. Please know, I do have my own boards, and you are more than welcome to grab ideas from mine. Click here to FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST


If you have are looking to book a session with me, please click the link below and fill out the form. Once the form is completed, you will be sent a questionnaire to make sure we are the perfect fit before moving forward.