Lifestyle photoshoot — Valencia

A portrait focuses on you looking at the camera, with considered poses. Lifestyle focuses on what you do: strolling, laughing, sharing a coffee, walking along the beach. I don't interrupt the scene, I accompany it, so the photos tell a story rather than show a single pose. It's ideal if posing makes you uncomfortable or you want memories that taste of real life.

It works especially well. With children the lifestyle approach is best, because I don't ask them to sit still: I let them play, run through the Turia Gardens or splash at the shore, and I capture what happens. I plan the session around their good hour, avoid them being hungry or sleepy, and keep the pace brisk so it feels like a fun outing rather than a studio session.

Comfortable and coherent with each other, without matching exactly. Soft, natural tones work very well — beige, white, blue, terracotta — pairing with the golden stone of the old town and the Mediterranean light. Avoid big logos and loud prints, and choose clothes you can move freely in, because there's a fair bit of walking. If in doubt, send me photos of the looks and I'll help you choose.

Of course, and it's usually what gives the session its soul. If you have a Carmen café where you met, a Turia bench or a corner of El Cabanyal with a story, we put it in the route. Just tell me when we plan and we map a logical path so that the meaningful places and the good light line up in time.