Category Archives: Weddings

Yesterday I shared a little bit about how to start with the pre-planning process of putting a styled shoot together. Today I want to share 12 steps you might take if you are planning on putting together your own styled shoot!

1.  Meet with a planner if possible. Planners know so many different people and are an extremely valuable resource. If you  don’t know a planner personally, my suggestion would be to reach out directly to a planner with an idea and vision for your shoot.
2.  Book an event space. Again, planners know so many different people and spaces. If you are able to nail down a planner, find an event space that will fit your overall theme together.  Offer photos in exchange for the use of their space.  Most venues are happy to do this for photographers, but some are unable to.  If you can, offer to pay something for the space, that way the venue coordinator knows that you are serious. If you are unable to have a planner help you, reach out through your own networks to see if there is a space you could use, and if worse comes to worse, doing the shoot outdoors is always an option.  My only suggestion would be to have a plan B in case of inclement weather.
3. Think of a theme. Find what the color of the year is and work around that to style your shoot, highlight an event space in your city that you would love to work in, work through a trend that you love seeing and want to photograph more. Whatever it is, make sure you go into the shoot knowing what you want to highlight and the style that you want to portray.
4.  Use social media to connect.  Finding and asking other creative’s in your social networks can be a great way to look at work, highlight work, and meet other creatives. It can also be a place where you can search for models or event spaces.
5.  Meet with all vendors to discuss your vision. Once you have nailed down all the vendors that you will be working with, get drinks or coffee together to collaborate and get on the same page before the actual shoot date.  This can also be helpful when talking to the other vendors to ask what they are looking for and would like to use for their own marketing purposes. Remember, this isn’t just about you, it’s about connection and highlighting other vendors in your area; give freely.
6. Follow through with emails to vendors. Once you have met, make sure your vendors know you are still thinking about them. Before the shoot happens, get all social media handles and put together a spreadsheet of contact information as well as Facebook and Instagram pages.  Coming up with a hashtag that is focused around your theme can also be helpful for SEO for when the shoot is finished and everybody wants to repost.
7.  Photograph the event
8.  Follow up with a few photos the day after the shoot while everyone is still excited so that vendors can share to their own social platforms.
9.  Be generous in sharing. When vendors ask for certain pictures from the event, share with them joyfully and quickly.  Excitement will be shared, and all vendors will be happy that you highlighted them.
10.  Don’t forget smaller vendors. Paper company’s, wedding dress designers, bridesmaid dress designers, men’s attire, models names and companies, flower farms, etc. Anyone that can be highlighted from the shoot, highlight. Everyone is happy to share your photos on all of their platforms to highlight their work, and this makes for great (free!) advertising for them and you!
11.  Send thank you’s. Everyone likes a handwritten note and an acknowledgment that they were a part of somethinhg.
12.  If you love it, do it again!

I know that was a super quick rundown of how a styled shoot might be executed, if you have questions or want to be a part of a fall shoot with me, or have any other ideas to share, feel free to comment below.  I would love to connect!!