The 4 Best Camera Lenses for Stunning Lifestyle Photography

In this guide, we’ll learn everything about selecting the best camera lenses for stunning lifestyle photography.

Whether working at a beginner, enthusiast, or pro level, choosing the right lens is the key to success in any photography genre or project.

Lifestyle is unlike most other genres in that its composition requires staged and directed elements, while the images offer a fictional view of an alternative life.

Lifestyle photography is an essential marketing and brand management tool; however, the style can also be applied to family life in and around the home.

Let’s uncover the facts about lifestyle photography and understand why the right lens will make all the difference.

First, What Is Lifestyle Photography?

Lifestyle photography is one of those funny genres – let me explain.

Think about how you spend time with your family, partner, pets, or friends. Now imagine someone quietly documenting those everyday interactions, whether it’s in your home, backyard, or a favorite local spot.

That’s what lifestyle photography is all about – capturing life and style as images. However, the lifestyle images that feature in glossy homewares magazines or websites are typically not as candid as you may think.

Most professional lifestyle photography involves setting up, staging, and replicating a lifelike scene primarily to sell a related product or service.

It’s a staged view of life to captivate the viewer and immerse them in a “perfect” world of how life could be.

Imagine a lifestyle image of a woman wearing a clean and crisp dress, weeding a perfectly manicured garden while the children (paid models) play with the family dog in the background.

Or imagine a family sitting on the couch playing a video game together in front of the TV. The furniture, interior decor, clothing, and even the choice of models and how they smile are selected to build the composition and sell the desired message.

This isn’t to say that lifestyle photography is deceptive by nature. It’s a vital genre often used by marketing agencies and brand managers to coerce consumerism.

However, it shouldn’t be confused with traditional and genuine family photography and portraiture. It’s also important to know that lifestyle photography isn’t always about marketing and selling a product.

If you’re so inclined, lifestyle photography can seamlessly blend with portraiture or family photography to create a planned and less spontaneous outcome.

What’s the Difference Between Portrait and Lifestyle Photography?

The most significant difference between portrait and lifestyle photography is that portrait photography is of a genuine person acting naturally, while lifestyle photography is staged with models acting per direction.

Portrait photography involves taking photos of a person who will use those photos for personal reasons. Those reasons may include hanging family photos around the house or using them on a social media or business site.

As mentioned, lifestyle photography is typically a marketing tool used to sell a vision of a lifestyle, including products and services that the brand wishes to promote.

If you pick up a family photo album, it will be packed full of portraits and family shots. If you pick up an IKEA catalogue, it will be packed full of lifestyle shots. That’s the difference.

Another key difference is that portrait photography often involves capturing a single person or a small group of people in a semi-staged way. Portraits typically involve the upper torso and head. Lifestyle images are broader and often capture a wider scene.

Documentary vs. Lifestyle Photography

In most cases, documentary and lifestyle photography sit at polar opposites of the photography genre spectrum.

Where lifestyle photography is staged and set up to build an appealing composition, documentary photography is candid, raw, spontaneous, and in the moment.

Lifestyle photography shoots often take hours to set up, and many factors contribute to this, including complex lighting solutions, hair and makeup, models, set designers, and more.

Documentary photography is instant and spontaneous. You work with the camera, lens (maybe an off-camera strobe), and little else.

Another key difference between the two genres is how the photographer directs them. Lifestyle photography requires a lot of direction and guidance from the photographer and often the brand manager.

Documentary photography is very hands-off. The photographer ghosts the subjects and captures unique, interesting, and genuine moments as they occur.

What Makes a Great Lifestyle Photo?

Setting aside the marketing aspect of lifestyle shots, several elements contribute to making a great lifestyle photo.

An excellent lifestyle image tells a story to move or motivate someone from thoughts of their current (very real) life to imagining an alternative lifestyle.

Great lifestyle images must appeal to a select audience and portray as close to ‘real life’ as possible for it to be compelling.

Lifestyle shoots can take place indoors in homes, shops, and cafes or outdoors in the garage, yard, or local park.

As a result, a key consideration for outstanding lifestyle images is to be aware of the available lighting and if introduced lighting (strobes, LEDs, speedlites, etc) is required. Photography is all about capturing the light after all!

Another key element to amazing lifestyle images is including foreground and background elements to set the scene, build the composition, and tell the story.

As a result, most lifestyle photography images are shot with wide-angle lenses to capture a wider field of view.

Wider views mean more content to build the scene and tell that ever-important story (or sell the hero products in the shot).

How to Choose the Right Lens for Your Lifestyle Photography

Okay, it’s time to talk about the most crucial aspect of any lifestyle photography project: the lenses.

Choosing the right lens can make all the difference when creating indoor or outdoor images that tell a specific story.

As discussed, wide-angle lenses allow you to capture a greater field of view and incorporate more elements into the storytelling aspects of the image.

But what about aperture, focus performance, and build quality? Let’s dig in a little deeper.

Focal Length

If you’re heading down the lifestyle photography path, you’ll need at least one wide-angle lens.

Much like interior design and architectural photography (which could also fall into the lifestyle category), a wide-angle lens allows you to capture more of the scene, especially when shooting indoors.

Consider an 85mm or 120mm full-frame equivalent lens.

Shooting lifestyle images with those focal distances will result in close-up and tightly compressed images of a hero product or human subject. It won’t capture enough of the background to build the narrative in a compelling way.

As a result, the first lens in your kit should offer a focal distance around 24mm full-frame equivalent. Any wider, and your interiors start to distort, and the subjects appear smaller and further away from the viewer.

However, lifestyle images sometimes need a slightly tighter field of view to isolate a subject, product, or moment.

A 35mm and/or 50mm full-frame equivalent lens will benefit a lifestyle photography kit in such situations.

Aperture

Another key consideration for lifestyle photography lens choices is the aperture.

Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO are key parts of the photography exposure triangle. Together, these control the amount of light passing through the lens to the camera image sensor.

A narrower aperture (the higher the f-stop on the lens) results in less light passing to the image sensor, but it also produces a deep depth of field where everything is in focus.

With a wide aperture lens, you’ll manage low-light situations more effectively and have greater control of depth of field and background blur.

A wide (often referred to as fast) aperture (smaller f-stop) results in more light passing to the sensor and a much shallower depth of field where foreground subjects are in sharp focus and the background is blurred.

With that little photography lesson out of the way, let’s cut to the chase.

The best apertures for lifestyle photography feature fast or wide maximum apertures of f/1,2, f/1.4, or f/1.8. That’s not to say that an f/2 or f/2.8 lens can’t be used for indoor lifestyle work, but they restrict the amount of light the sensor can capture.

Prime or Zoom

If you’ve browsed any camera store or online retailer, you’ll know the sheer volume of prime and zoom lens options – but which do you choose for lifestyle photography?

Shooting lifestyle images with a prime or a zoom is possible, but I recommend choosing a prime to master this genre.

Prime lenses are typically smaller, lighter, and less expensive than the larger zoom alternatives. However, zoom lenses provide greater flexibility without having to swap between a 24mm and 50mm prime.

Another upside of prime lenses is that they typically offer faster maximum apertures than zooms – remember the need for low light performance.

The pros and cons are an individual choice, as lifestyle photographers often shoot a range of genres where lens flexibility is essential. Whether you want to swap prime lenses or just stick with one multi-purpose zoom is up to you.

Indoor vs. Outdoor

As mentioned, lifestyle photography can take place indoors or outdoors depending on the intended outcome of the shoot.

For indoor photography, you’ll need lenses with a fast maximum aperture to allow enough light to achieve the best exposure.

Low-light performance isn’t a consideration when outdoors during the day. Outdoor shoots may include fast-paced action and even extreme sports, where focus and performance are mandatory.

Another consideration for outdoor lifestyle shoots is the weather. If you intend to capture images when it’s raining, at the beach, or in the snow, you’ll need your lenses to survive to shoot another day.

While most lenses now include some form of weather sealing, it’s always best to err on the side of caution.

A correctly weather-sealed lens (as opposed to splash and dust proof) can withstand a decent downpour, freezing conditions, and even being dropped at the beach.

Suggested Lenses

It’s time to talk specifics and take a look at the best lenses for the lifestyle genre.

To make the lifestyle genre more accessible and less intimidating, we’ve listed a bunch of recommended lenses ideally suited to the craft.

The 24mm

The 24mm focal distance typically grants an 84º field of view, which is wide enough to capture indoor and outdoor images without making the subjects or hero products feel too far away from the viewer.

Another benefit of a wide 24mm prime lens is the ability to shoot indoor scenes without creating excessive distortion in the outer edges of the composition.

Too wide a lens and the field of view distorts and creates an unappealing view of the scene.

A 24mm full-frame equivalent lens is a must-have in any lifestyle photography kit.

As for aperture, select a 24mm lens with a fast and bright maximum aperture. f/1.8 is often more practical and budget-friendly than an f/1.4 or f/1.2 and offers enough light for this genre.

Only get an f/1.4 or faster if you don’t mind the added bulk and expense and need the absolute best bokeh.

Of course, some lenses are only available at f/2 or f/1.4 like the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 or the Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM.

The Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM lens is a fantastic choice for lifestyle photography. The full-frame lens offers an excellent field of view, and the fast f/1.4 maximum aperture is ideal for indoor work and when isolating a subject with background blur.

The Sony lens features dust and moisture sealing, ultra-fast focus performance, an aperture ring, and a customizable focus hold button.

Beyond the specs, it captures stunning images with sharp details, excellent colour, and wide open background effects. The Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM retails for around US$1,400.

The APS-C equivalent of a 24mm prime is 16mm, and the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 is an absolutely fantastic lens for a Nikon Z, Sony E, Canon EF-M, or Fujifilm crop-sensor camera. (You’ll need that extra bit of aperture on a crop sensor.)

Nikon Z [Amazon | B&H] Nikon FX [Amazon | B&H] | Nikon DX [Amazon | B&H] | Canon EF [Amazon | B&H] | Canon APS-C [Amazon | B&H] | Canon RF [Amazon | B&H] | Sony FE [Amazon | B&H] | Sony APS-C [Amazon | B&H] | Fujifilm [Amazon | B&H] | Micro Four-Thirds [Amazon | B&H]

The 35mm

The next lens to adorn a lifestyle photography kit is a standard 35mm full-frame equivalent prime lens with a fast and bright maximum aperture.

A 35mm full-frame lens delivers a natural 63° field of view (almost identical to what the human eye views), offering a tighter composition with fewer background elements to build the narrative.

That’s not to say that 35mm is tight. It’s still a wide field of view but offers a way to manage unwanted background elements, focusing the viewer on central figures or products.

As with all prime lenses, a 35mm f/1.8 is often more practical and budget-friendly than an f/1.4 or f/1.2.

However, f/1.4 is a great middle-of-the-line option that straddles the boundary between a cheaper and less bright f/1.8 and a super bright yet super expensive f/1.2. It all comes down to your budget and intent with the lifestyle genre.

The weather-sealed Canon RF 35mm f/1.4 L VCM lens is a great option for full-frame Canon RF owners. It offers a pleasing field of view, features a fast and bright f/1.4 maximum aperture, and boasts Canon’s ultra-fast VCM focusing system.

The Canon delivers incredible outcomes and retails for around US$1,500.

If you’re shooting with an APS-C (cropped sensor) digital camera, you’ll need a 23mm lens that produces a 35mm full-frame equivalent focal distance.

Fujifilm X Series owners should look at the highly acclaimed APS-C Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR prime lens. It offers a bright f/1.4 maximum aperture, fast linear motor focusing system, weather sealing, and a 35mm full-frame equivalent focal distance.

It’s a cracker of a lens that retails for around US$900.

Nikon Z [B&H] Nikon FX [Amazon | B&H] | Nikon DX [Amazon | B&H] | Canon EF [Amazon | B&H] | Canon APS-C [Amazon | B&H] | Canon RF [B&H] | Sony FE [Amazon | B&H] | Sony APS-C [Amazon | B&H] | Fujifilm [Amazon | B&H] | Micro Four-Thirds [Amazon | B&H]

The 50mm

A 50mm full-frame equivalent lens is an excellent addition to any lifestyle photography kit where getting in closer to capture detail is required.

For example, if you’re doing a lifestyle shoot in a family living room where people interact, you would use a 50mm to get in close and capture facial reactions or product details.

These tighter compositions would accompany the images captured with the wider 24mm and 35mm focal distance lenses.

Plus, a fast and bright 50mm full-frame lens is essential to any photography kit, regardless of genre. It’s perfect for headshots, portraits, food, and product shots.

A 50mm full-frame equivalent (or approximately 35mm APS-C) delivers a 47º field of view that removes background distractions and focuses (pardon the pun) on the intended subject only.

A fast and bright 50mm prime lens with a f/1.4 maximum aperture will deliver centre sharpness with appealing background blur and bokeh.

The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 [Amazon | B&H] is a fantastic option for Sony E, Nikon F, Canon EF, and Leica L. The dust-and-splash-proof prime, which retails for around US$900, produces exceptional images with accurate color and low-light capabilities.

APS-C Shooters should go with the 35mm f/1.4, which is around 52mm on most APS-C cameras.

Native 50mm lens options:

Nikon FX [Amazon | B&H] | Nikon Z [Amazon | B&H] | Canon EF [Amazon | B&H] | Canon RF [Amazon] [B&H] | Sony FE [Amazon | B&H]

The 24-70mm

Now that you understand the prime lenses a lifestyle photography kit requires, let’s discuss one zoom worth investing in.

A full-frame equivalent 24-70mm zoom lens is often considered the workhorse of most professional photographers’ kits.

The 24-70mm focal range covers three or four prime lenses in a single, flexible, and larger lens. Almost all brands offer this lens, but the Sigma version is the best value/most affordable.

The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art lens is one of the best full-frame zoom lenses, ideal for lifestyle photography (especially outdoors) and a wide range of other genres.

It delivers a flexible 84.1° to 34.3° field of view, fast autofocus performance, exceptional image quality, and a reasonably fast f/2.8 constant max aperture. Sigma’s workhorse retails for around US$1,300.

If you’re ok with a little less on the wide end, the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 G2 [Amazon | B&H] and the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 [Amazon | B&H] are both excellent lenses at great prices. (The price of the Tamron for Sony right now is fantastic, although personally, I prefer the Sigma – the shots come out less clinical. I actually really love my Sigma 28-70mm.)

If you prefer a native lens, you can choose from the links below. (APS-C equivalents provided.)

Nikon FX [Amazon | B&H] | Nikon DX [Amazon | B&H] | Canon EF [Amazon | B&H] | Canon APS-C [Amazon | B&H] | Canon RF [Amazon | B&H] | Sony FE [Amazon | B&H] | Sony E [Amazon | B&H] | Fujifilm [Amazon | B&H] | Micro Four-Thirds [Amazon | B&H]

FAQs About the Best Lenses for Lifestyle Photography

Do I need a weather-sealed lens for lifestyle photography?

A weather-sealed lens is only necessary if you’re shooting outdoors in foul or freezing weather or where dirt and dust are blowing around. It’s also beneficial for some lifestyle shots that take place in a bathroom where water is splashing.

Is an 85mm lens good for lifestyle photography?

An 85mm full-frame equivalent lens isn’t your first choice for lifestyle photography as it produces a tight, compressed field of view where background storytelling elements are cut from the composition. It’s excellent for isolating a subject with greater detail and less background.

Is an f/4 lens fast enough for lifestyle photography?

While any lens can capture lifestyle images, selecting one with a fast f/1.2, f/1.4, or f/1.8 maximum aperture is always best. A fast f/1.4 aperture ensures optimal light passing to the image sensor and the ability to work with a shallow depth of field.