KK Nail salon is a small shop with beautiful interior tucked into the corner of a local shopping center. The owners hired me to provide a few real estate and portrait images for use in advertising. As with most businesses lifestyle portraits, I strive to provide a non-posed, natural light portrait. This does not mean, however, that no forethought, preparation or staging is required!
The term “lifestyle” portrait in a general sense suggests an image of people engaged in an activity, and are not looking at and posing for the camera. A wedding photo where the bride and groom are posing for the camera at the altar is a classic, formal portrait. An image of the same couple in a quiet corner, chatting and snuggling is an image that fits the “lifestyle portrait” genre. The best wedding photographers are those who can catch the bride and groom in beautiful moments on-the-fly without having to interact with the couple, but can, if needed, create the same look and feel while posing the couple.
In the image above, the store is closed, and two nail technician were available as models. Prior to the shot, I took light readings to find the best natural light, and cleaned off and staged the work space. I did not give direction to the two technicians other than to have them sit in a certain spot, and I shot the image at moderate telephoto length so as to not be a factor in their work.
So, this is a lifestyle portrait that is posed, could you tell?
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