Lifestyle Stock Photography Tips with Getty Images

Canon, with Getty Images, pulled together the 'This Is Australia' Collection, with the ambition to capture the Australian lifestyle imagery of today and help the marketing industry represent our country in all its diversity. To support the contributors in their journey, Getty Images pulled together top lifestyle stock photography tips;

The ambition of the collection is to capture the Australian lifestyle imagery of today and help the marketing industry to represent our country in all its diversity. Our program got off to a great start, with over 4,000 images already created in just a few months, and 200 new photographers signed up to Getty Images.

To support the Canon community in their contributor journey, here are top lifestyle stock photography tips from Getty Images.

1) Real People
Shoot portraits of real people (not hired models with fixed smiles) that are authentic, on location, and in context.

Use your friends, family and colleagues because they will be more comfortable, confident and natural in front of your camera.

Marianna Purdie, Getty Images Contributor

2) Multicultural Families
Capture images of multicultural families doing everyday things like cooking dinner, playing in the backyard, going on bushwalks and walking to school.

Kate Sept, Getty Images Contributor

3) Light and Movement
Use interesting types of ambient and natural lighting, capture movement and unique colours to tell a story of action and beauty.

Aleksandar Nakic, Getty Images Contributor

4) Use Point of View
Shoot 'Point of View' (POV) of hands/feet doing things, being active, using technology, exploring a location - using yourself as a model makes getting a signed release easy!

Joel Sharpe, Getty Images Contributor

5) Unique Perspective
Try not to copy existing imagery - do it better. Always look for a unique angle or perspective that engages the viewer in the action.

Think extreme low or high angles, shooting through holes / transparent objects / plants or think of places off the beaten track.

MRS, Getty Images Contributor

6) Shoot Tight as well as Wide
Shoot tight close-ups as well as wide angles for a variety of content from the same shoot.

Think like a graphic designer. Allow for copy space using shallow depth of field or clean backgrounds (blurred or less cluttered space around the focal point for clients to place logos or copy).

7) Series of Images
Shoot in series with multiple images from the same location that could be put together to tell a story of the day.

Capture people in a candid or 'fly on the wall' style.

8) Active Seniors, Strong Women, Caring Men
Capture images of active seniors (engaging with technology, participating in sports, playing with grandchildren), strong women (in positions of power and work, in male dominated industries, playing contact sport) and caring men (being the primary care giver in a family, offering advice to other males, contemplative, emotional).

Clea-Marie Thorne, Getty Images Contributor

9) Capture Diversity
Place diversity (in gender, race, culture, religions, ability and more) and authenticity at the heart of every image.

Capturing images of real friends and real families in a candid style will help you achieve an authentic feel in your images.

Klaus Vedfelt, Getty Images Contributor

10) Think About Concepts
Shoot images of people in scenarios with conceptual meaning. Consider concepts like aspirations, togetherness, love, collaboration, determination, safety and teamwork, using non-stereotypical nods to Australian life.

Kerri Setch, Getty Images Contributor

Download a copy of lifestyle stock photography tips from Getty Images here.