A lifestyle is an individual’s way of life, reflected in their patterns of behavior, consumption, work, and leisure. It reflects a person’s worldview, and may be related to their cultural, religious, or political background. It may also include a person’s daily activities, functions, and expectations of others. Lifestyle varies greatly from one place to another, but common elements are a shared set of values and traditions. A healthy lifestyle should be one that promotes balance and wise choices.
Some scholars use the term lifestyle to describe the different aspects of daily life. Alfred Adler is credited with coining the term in 1929, but Max Weber used it in 1922, although his work was not translated into English until after Adler’s. According to Adler, lifestyles can be defined as the individual’s “style of life,” defined as a set of values and habits that guide and affect one’s behavior. Some authors define a lifestyle as a way of life, while others use it to describe the social structures and activities that are typical of a certain culture.
The concept of a lifestyle can be a simple one. The concept of living in a country with a culture of diversity was new to many people in the United States in the twentieth century. Some of the earliest lifestyle articles and photographs have been created by non-professionals, as they are often personal. In the late 60s, a young man named Andrew Kromelow worked in Frank Gehry’s California studio. He named his practice “knolling” after Florence Knoll furniture. The slogan was later adopted by Tom Sachs, who embraced the practice and documented it with overhead photographs. Today, flat lay is ubiquitous in lifestyle media.
In the early 2000s, the term “style of life” was replaced by “lifestyle.” The media and the public embraced these concepts as an advertising strategy. While they were once largely aimed at the affluent, they were soon co-opted by marketing experts. The use of focus groups and the creation of lifestyle ads owes a great debt to sociology and the public and private media. People value things according to their images.
In the twenty-first century, consumers have become increasingly aware of the role of their own lifestyles in a consumer-driven society. Consumers have begun to take a more active role in their own lives, and a lifestyle can become a lifestyle by influencing our choices. A successful lifestyle is a combination of intangible and visible elements that contribute to an individual’s quality of life. It may involve the choices one makes daily such as carrying groceries, taking the stairs, playing catch, and ensuring a healthy, long-term lifestyle.
A lifestyle photographer’s goal is to capture a “slice” of life. This typically involves a family participating in activities that are normal for the family. The photographer sets up the shots, but the real work lies in the candid nature of the shoot. Using your camera to capture these moments is essential to a successful lifestyle shoot. With the advancement of digital technology, it’s possible to take unlimited shots without worrying about a photographer or a location being too staged.