How to Plan a Styled Shoot

I wanted to put together a blog on How to Plan a Styled Shoot. Why? Because I have planned and attended several. Some of the styled shoots I have attended have not been great while others were amazing!! First of all, what is a styled shoot? A styled shoot is a staged wedding photo shoot. Similar to a real wedding, you put together a wedding design. Team up with your vendor dream team to bring it to life. Then execute the vision on the day of. We bring in models who pretend to be getting married, and dress up in wedding attire + jewelry. This blog I’m going to be talking about more high end styled shoots since this is what I try to target with my business.

1. Come Up With Your Concept

The first step of every shoot should be to come up with a concept, or a theme. Are you going to shoot something rustic, modern, bohemian, or classic? Think about what kind of brides and grooms you want to attract, and that will help you decide on your theme. What you shoot is what you will attract so this step is very important!!

2. Find A Venue/Location

Choose a venue or location to match the concept you are going for. If you choose an outdoor location, make sure you have a backup location in case of bad weather!

3. Create a mood board

Create a mood board with how you want the styled shoot to look. (Florals, dresses, tables capes, flatlays, cakes, ect…)

4. Find your vendors

Reach out to vendors you like or ones you want to team up with. Some vendors will do it for the cost in exchange for photos. You need to decide on how you want to do this before you reach out. Make sure that all models have professional hair and makeup done. I have seen people host styled shoots where the model said she would do hair and make up and it did not end well.

5. Picking your models

This part can make or break your shoot. You need to choose couples that are comfortable in front of the camera and have experience if possible. A lot of people will always volunteer to do these types of sessions because they will get free photos. It needs to benefit you as well and you need to choose someone that fits the vibe you’re going for.

6. Opening it up to other photographers

There are several reasons why people open it up to other photographers and it’s almost always to cut down on your costs. Planning a styled shoot can get very expensive!! Especially in the floral department! When you are letting photographers come. You don’t want to have too many! It can get way to chaotic and overwhelm the models and photographers will be frustrated to if there are a lot because that limits what they can get!

7. Submitting to publications

Here is where you need to decide if you will let others submit their styled shoot images to be published. I get where sometimes the person who planned the shoot wants to be the only one to submit to publish which I totally get. They planned it and brought the shoot to life. But you need to mention that to people before they book because sometimes people will do styled shoots with the sole intent to submit to publish!

Now that we have gone over the specifics, I’m going to cover what I think is the best way to do a styled shoot, make it organized and keep everyone happy!

My favorite setup for styled shoots

1. Have several stations during a styled shoot!

My ideal setup is 3 couples, 1 solo model, flat lay station, cake and tables-cape.

2. Grouping up photographers

I think it’s best to have 2 photographers per station but three max! That way photographers aren’t having to fight to get shots with the couple and then the couple isn’t overwhelmed. I also think you should ask the group of photographers if they want to be grouped up with certain photographers that are coming. Sometimes I have been grouped up with other photographers and they have taken over posing and made it hard to let anyone get shots.

Also once you have the groups divided out, talk with all the photographers before the shoot starts, tell them they all need to take turns posing the couple to make sure everyone can get shots they need.

3. Time per station

I feel like 20-25 minutes is the best time for stations, That gives everyone plenty of time to get what they need with details and couples. Set a timer and give them a heads up when they have a few minutes left so they have a warning.

4. Details

I think there should always be a cake setup, at least one backdrop, 2-3 flat lay setups and a long tablescape! I like to shoot more high end weddings and a lot of that is in the details!! So I think it’s very important to have a lot of details and florals! When you have a backdrop, make sure its placed in a position with good lighting. I have been to so many where they put all the details in the worst lighting possible!