Before the advent of the Leica camera, it was rarely possible to capture people in their everyday lives. Nowadays, billions of photographs are taken every day, often for the purpose of sharing them with others or simply to tick off an experience. Nevertheless, genuinely lived moments continue to hold a particularly high value at Leica to this day, perhaps precisely for that reason. For over 100 years, our aim has been to capture a person’s natural essence in everyday moments. Preserving it forever.
A Personal Art
It’s a well-known phenomenon: as soon as you realise that a camera is pointed at you, your behaviour changes. This is what makes lifestyle photography both exciting and challenging for those behind the camera. If you influence a scene too much, all you end up capturing is a reaction to your presence. The true art lies in knowing when to hold back. This means allowing situations to remain natural, so you can capture people exactly as you see, feel and wish to portray them: your very own perspective. This is what makes ‘lifestyle’ one of the most personal genres in photography.
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As Diverse as Human Nature
There are many ways to capture a lifestyle: waiting patiently on the sidelines; being poised in the thick of the moment; doing without people altogether; letting an object tell the story; or giving the subject its own individual ‘style’. It depends on what suits your character. What all these approaches have in common is a keen sense of what makes an ordinary moment special. This could occur during free time, with friends, at work or with family. The following examples show just how varied this can be.
Precious Memories – Nina Davidson and Her Q3
Nina Davidson loves capturing the magic of the little things that mean so much to her, such as spending time with her children, and those moments full of life that deserve more attention, but which are often overshadowed by the routine of family life. Using the compact Leica Q3 with its 28 mm lens, she can remain right at the heart of the action without ever interrupting the scene: flour dust swirling while baking, natural light on a rain-soaked windowpane, and carefree play between a dog and a child. She observes actively. What’s more, she turns ordinary moments into genuine memories that last.
I don’t know which moments will matter most to us. So I don’t wait. I take the photographs today, so that tomorrow we have the memories we deserve.
Nina Davidson
Always on Tour – Paul Hüttemann and His D-Lux 8
Paul Hüttemann captures both famous people and anonymous places just as they really are. When he is out and about with his D-Lux 8 camera, he and his wife capture scenes and vibes that convey real lifestyles, whether it’s a chair in the afternoon sun, a passer-by in London or a pastel-coloured façade in Copenhagen. The camera’s unobtrusive appearance makes them look more like tourists than professional photographers. This gives them the freedom to remain observers and capture the moment discreetly and spontaneously rather than missing it due to technical issues.
Reportage, documentary photography – that’s what I enjoy most, of course.
Paul Hüttemann
On the Move – Alex Dobé with His Leica Q3
Alex Dobé – known to everyone as Très Cool – dives into Paris Fashion Week with a Leica Q3 slung around his neck. He explores every nook and cranny, from the crowded production vans to the catwalk and the quiet side streets of the Marais, and everywhere in between. Using slow shutter speeds, he blurs movement to create unusual yet authentic images. He captures what happens in the spotlight and behind the scenes in a completely unobtrusive way, drawing us deep into the moment as he sees it. Unlike conventional fashion photography, which is often exaggerated and over-the-top, he makes fashion accessible through his creative vision. He also shows just how diverse ‘lifestyle’ can be.
Don’t take photographs just so people will like what you do. Do what you do. If they like it, that’s fire. If they don’t, you’ll get there eventually.
Alex Dobé
Leica Cameras for Lifestyle Photography
Photographers value Leica cameras for their understated, compact design and intuitive operation. These features allow photographers to capture the moment without disturbing it. They capture genuine, candid moments before the subject changes pose or the mood fades. The following Leica cameras are particularly well suited to The Art of Lifestyle Photography:
Leica Q
This is perfect for photographers looking for a compact full-frame camera with a fixed lens and fast, intuitive operation.
Compact full-frame camera for spontaneous, natural and high-quality shots.
It delivers superb image quality for photos and videos, even in a wide range of lighting conditions.
It combines simple handling and seamless connectivity.
Leica D-Lux 8
This camera is ideal for photographers looking for a particularly discreet all-rounder for capturing spontaneous, candid moments.
This camera has a compact body and versatile zoom lens, offering everything from wide-angle to portrait shots.
Its unobtrusive design means that it hardly stands out as a high-quality camera in everyday use.
It delivers excellent image quality even in low light thanks to its fast optics.
Find the Leica That’s Perfect for You
The best way to discover which camera and lens are right for you is in a personal consultation. Our friendly Leica experts are always happy to help, whether you visit us online at the Leica Store or in person.
Trade-In
Trade in old for new: exchange your current Leica product in-store and receive a generous credit note towards your next purchase.
Financing
Make your dreams come true with our flexible financing options available in-store. Personal advice included. Together we will find the right solution for you.