How To Organise Your Own Styled Shoot
TIPS & TRICKS TO MAKE YOUR STYLED SHOOT BOTH FUN & BENEFICIAL
With Covid looking likely to thin-out our wedding season yet again, use this downtime to plan a styled shoot for when lockdown is over - It is the perfect way to channel some creative energy.
If you are thinking of putting together a styled shoot for the first time here are some tips and tricks to ensure it runs to plan, you get the results you had hoped for and most importantly it is beneficial to all involved. I recently discussed the many benefits of getting involved in styled shoots here.
Inspiration
This can come from anywhere - A book you like, a colour that is on trend or even a place you like to visit. I think it is also important to think of a title for your shoot, this will help when collectively sharing and submitting to blogs.
BUDGET
Organising a styled shoot usually requires you to have a budget, while some suppliers may be happy to supply their service or product in return for images it is important to remember some can have an expensive outlay when it comes to shoots, such as the florist.
Keep it simple
I know you want to create and shoot something that is going to blow people away when they see if for the first time and something that is ideally going to be accepted into the biggest blogs around but originality is key and sometimes less is more (specially for your first styled shoot).
Mood Board
This should display some inspiration images, an idea of the colour palette and an overall vibe so that when you approach suppliers and a venue they can envisage exactly what style and finish you are wanting to achieve. This is also helpful so that all suppliers are reading off of the same sheet!
Secure a venue
This is something you should do very near the beginning, send them your mood board and outline the benefits a styled shoot would have for them in regards to exposure and also images for them to use for marketing purposes.
TIP: Lesser known venues are generally more excited to be involved in styled shoots and often have less going on during the week or off season so are more flexible.
MODELS
I would suggest looking for couples or individuals that aren’t necessary models initially as they won’t cost the earth and give you the opportunity to work with more authentic couples, as you would on a real wedding day. I also like to choose couples or models that have not been shot countless times by other local photographers as you want to achieve unique content for your feed.
Most models will require a fee as it is unlikely they will see the same return from the images as some other suppliers might, this is important to keep in mind.
Suppliers
Working with local suppliers will help build your brand presence and contacts locally. When approaching them, share your mood board and your vision and some examples of your previous work. Most suppliers love being involved in a good styled shoot, try to select suppliers whose work suits the style you have chosen to shoot.
TIP: Suppliers are experts in their field, give them creative reign. Remember you are putting together a styled shoot so that people can showcase their niche. Use the mood-board and concept to guide them in the right direction.
Have Fun
Organisation is key, make sure you have products from suppliers well in advance so you don’t miss out because they arrived too late and most of all have fun. Gathering together with like-minded creatives to create magic is so much fun and will leave you buzzing!
Inspiration not imitation
You might have seen something incredible on Instagram from a fellow creative or you've been inspired by images on Pinterest, regardless of where you've seen it is important this stays an inspiration only. Creatives pour their heart and soul into creating fresh and original ideas and if you come along and simply copy them you are not achieving anything, think of ways to use that inspiration and create your own spin on it - That's when the real magic happens.
Alternatives
If this sounds like too much hard work there are so many other alternatives ways to capture the same gorgeous content and a good workshop is top of the list - Check out Workshops by LARK.
Image by Esme Whiteside
After being a part of countless styled shoots and now running content workshops I am always happy to answer any questions and offer any further advice on how to use styled shoots to build your brand and business.