I have planned a few very success styled shoots each year. It is a great way to build your network from models to florists to designers and so on. It builds your portfolio to match your brand perfectly.
You have the complete ability to control what happens and who’s involved when planning a styled shoot. You have no excuse not to make everything about it match your ideal photoshoot. I also love to involve other local photographers so they can also build their network. It feels like a small way to give back and show my appreciation for other creatives in the industry.
Planning styled shoots also shows the vendors that I am reliable and organized. I coordinate everything for them and promise to deliver amazing photos and content that they can use free of charge. When I commit this, I make sure to follow through with it. Then they rave about the photos and we both begin to refer clients to each other. It’s a win-win for all!
I have built so many great relationships with other vendors in the wedding industry from planning styled shoots. But, you must be thorough, detailed, and follow through on your promises to every vendor.
So how do you plan a styled shoot? Where do you begin and what if you don’t know any vendors? These simple tips for planning a styled shoot will help you create a vision board and execute your dream successfully!
I’ll give you my 3 tips for planning a styled shoot!
1. PICK A LOCATION
Pick a location. First, you need to decide where to shoot! What style are you going for? Outdoor or indoor? I create my vision board for styled shoots on Pinterest. Decide this first so you can tell your vendors what style you’re going for. You can find some of mine here.
2. PICK YOUR MODELS.
In a perfect world, what would your clients look like? Imagine that. Picture your favorite client and why they were your favorite. If they are your dream client (the client you wish you could always shoot forever and ever) find that type of couple or individual to model for you. Research people from instagram or Pinterest or ask people you know who you’re comfortable with! Don’t be afraid to reach out to people you don’t know and ask if they’d model for you because you think they’d be amazing. I usually look up hashtags on instagram.
If you’re in Salt Lake City, check out some of the couples I feature on my instagram page! I have my editorials here, which are mostly posts about the creative styled shoots I’ve put on for my own sake.
3. FIND VENDORS
Last, find vendors & ask if or what they charge for collaborations or styled shoots. Find vendors that you’d like to work with in the future and that will build your network positively. Also, many, actually, most vendors will donate their time and services free of charge. Except for florists because the cost of the flowers is pretty expensive. Expect florists to charge wholesale price for the bouquets. If someone tries to charge you full price for a styled shoot, move on to someone else!
There you have it! 3 tips to plan a styled shoot.
You’re gonna kill it – go get ‘em tiger!
