The field guide
The Lifestyle Photography Guide
Every photo uploaded to Lifestyle is judged by an AI curator. It is not a mystery box — it has taste, and its taste is consistent. This guide is the exact checklist it works from, translated into practical advice you can use before you press the shutter.
What counts as Lifestyle
Travel & scenery
A coastline at golden hour, a mountain road, a quiet street in a city you're exploring. Places that make people want to be there.
Cafes, food & drink
A styled flat white, a table set with care, a cocktail against warm light. Food shot with intention, not evidence of lunch.
Interiors & spaces
A corner of a room with good light and considered details. Spaces that feel lived in and loved.
Fashion & outfits
A look, a detail, a mirror moment — styled, not a passport photo in bad lighting.
Wellness, fitness & hobbies
The morning run view, the studio, the workshop. Aspirational effort, beautifully framed.
Candid people & pets
People genuinely enjoying a moment, pets in styled scenes. Real life at its most photogenic.
The thread connecting all of these is intentional composition and mood. The curator rewards photos where someone clearly made a decision.
What gets rejected
- Screenshots, screen recordings, and memes
- Documents, receipts, invoices, and pure text
- Charts, graphs, and spreadsheets
- Blurry accidents and webcam frames
- Random objects with no styling or intent
- Low-effort selfies in bad lighting
- Cluttered, messy rooms with no composition
Rejections come with a short, funny note explaining exactly why — the curator is cheeky, but it is always specific.
Four habits of an approved photo
1.Chase the light
Natural window light or golden hour beats overhead fluorescents every time. Light is the mood.
2.Compose with intent
Decide what the photo is about before you shoot. Remove what doesn't belong in the frame.
3.Style the scene
One considered prop — a book, a linen napkin, a plant — turns a snapshot into a scene.
4.Shoot for a feeling
Ask what someone should feel looking at it. Calm? Wanderlust? Hunger? That feeling is the point.
Ready to face the curator?
Take what you've learned, shoot with intent, and see if your photo earns a place on the feed.
Upload a photo