Styled Shoot 101

I think everyone in the wedding industry has a love-hate relationship with styled shoots.

My first year in business I did 16 styled shoots.

Yes, I think I was crazy and look back wondering how in the world I did it – but I did.

I was determined to do a few things:

1. Build my porfolio
2. Build buzz around my business
3. Attract my ideal client
4. Build relationships with vendors
5. Add those “featured on” badges to my website

I launched Dear Sweetheart Events with no portfolio and no experience (besides my own wedding & a close friend’s wedding one year prior). I knew that styled shoots would be my ticket to doing all the things I mentioned above so I went with a “go big or go home” strategy!

Did it work? Yes.

Was I exhausted? Double Yes.

Did I learn a lot about what to do & what not to do? Triple Yes.

If you’re looking to put together a styled shoot (or a few) this year, here are 6 tips that I learned the hard way:

Don’t assume every vendor is free.

That’s right, friends. Not everyone can or will participate in a styled shoot for free. Some vendors will have larger overhead costs (florists, rental company, stationer), so when chatting with a potential vendor, don’t assume that the vendor will be providing their service or product free of charge. You also don’t need to be afraid to ASK if they will! We’re all professionals here. A simple: “Will this be a paid collaboration?” can go a long way!

Any vendor can organize a styled shoot, not just a wedding planner or stylist.

Of course, planners & stylist love to be involved! But don’t feel like you have to have one on board! I have actually said “no” to shoots if I felt like the vendor organizing it has already done pretty much all of what I would do!! I know some photographers who can plan, coordinate & style an amazing shoot all on their own! If you’re not a wedding planner or stylist but have a desire to do it on your own: give it a try! See what happens! You never know until you try.

Create an original theme with a clear vision.

There are a lot of styled shoots floating around in wedding world, y’all. And I know it can feel so hard to be original with our work in a sea of Pinterest, but a styled shoot should be. It should be a space for you to stretch your creative muscles & produce work unlike any you’ve ever done before. Look outside of the wedding industry for inspiration – turn to magazines or restaurants or home decor. Challenge yourself (and your shoot team) to think outside of the box.

You will go over budget if you don’t have one to begin with.

It’s no lie that styled shoot can and do get expensive – very quickly. Expenses add up quickly & you will more than likely go over budget – especially if you don’t have a budget to begin with!! For Dear Sweetheart Events, my marketing budget is my styled shoot budget! That means I plan to invest in my styled shoots so that I’m focusing on quality over quantity with each shoot I produce. Have a budget for the styled shoots you plan to do for your business.

Have a clear understanding of each vendor’s needs.

You should know why every single vendor working on the styled shoot is working on the styled shoot. Are they doing it because they are looking for a certain set of images? Are they doing it for industry recognition? Are they doing it to share it with their clients to promote work they hope to attract? Are they doing it for the pure JOY they receive when doing something just for FUN and not thinking “business” about it?! It’s important to know exactly why each vendor has chosen to participate (and some may have multiple reasons) so that all expectations are met.  

Have a shot list.

Now, before all the photographers start frantically emailing me with tons of exclamation points let me explain!! I am not telling you to tell your photographer how to do their job. You are working with an expert, and need to trust them to do a professional job! What I AM telling you to do is talk WITH the photographer prior to the shoot so each of you have a clear understanding of what shots are expected. If you’re the photographer reading this, it’s important to talk with the planner/stylist and understand what details are involved in the shoot so you don’t miss the good stuff!:) If you have a clear understand of what shots need to be taken you’ll ensure that no vendors are left off, no details are forgotten & ultimately you’ll feel more organized & efficient during the shoot!

Just ask.

Sure, they might say no … but they might say YES. If you’re nervous to send that email or make that call – I want to challenge you to DO IT. Ask that vendor. Put yourself out there & see what they say. Remember – if they say no, it’s not the end of the world & it’s not YOU! I have had to turn down shoots that sounded amazing for a variety of reasons, so don’t take the no too personally!!

Was this helpful?! What other styled shoot questions do you have??

xo! kat