November 5, 2012

Setting Up a Styled Shoot

Setting up a styled photo shoot can be a great way to get some quality detail images for your porfolio, build relationships with other wedding industry vendors, or to try a new idea that you have been dying to get out into the world.  If you have been frustrated by the apparent lack of creativity in your current brides and haven’t read the link from last wek about how to encourage creativity in your brides, a styled shoot will allow you to flex your creative muscles. Be warned, you might also be flexing your real muscles too because styled shoots can be a lot of hard work!

Where do you start?  As always, it starts with a great idea!

Choose a Theme

The first thing that you will need to do is to choose the theme, or feel, that you want your session to have.

Do you want to create a rustic farm wedding styled shoot with a ranch feel?  Would you love to create a Mad Hatter’s tea party in a manicured garden?

You can base your idea off of a movie, song, mood, plant, or anything that strikes your fancy.

Sketch in the Details

Once you have your theme in mind you will want to start roughing out a list of what you would like to include in your session.  Typically a styled wedding shoot will have a bride and groom, a vignette reception or altar scene, flowers, and a table scape of some type.  Here’s a list of some of the basics that you will want to consider…

Location – where you will be staging the styled shoot.  Be sure to gain permission to use the space and check with the administartor to be sure that there will be no conflicts with already planned events.  You don’t want to put in all the effort only to show up to a family day in full swing!

Models – who will you use as your bride and groom?  Do you have friends who will be able to model or will you need to hire professional models?  What look do you want your models to have?

Wardrobe – You do not necessarily need to have a bridal gown depending on the theme for your styled shoot, but you will need to be able to direct your models about what to wear or provide wardrobe for them.  Don’t forget accessories like jewelry, gloves. veils, glasses, etc.

Flowers (bouquet, boutenierre, table centerpieces) – what feel do you want the flowers to have?  Decide if you want traditional, seasonal, or offbeat florals and research the availability and costs associated with your design.

Tablescape – This can vary depending on what you theme calls for.  It may be a table for two set for dining, it could be a dessert table, a drink station, or all of the above.

Cake – You can either have a full multi-tier cake or another dessert variety like cupcakes, a dessert bar, pies, whatever!

Rings – If you are using a married couple for your models this is a great chance to get some creative ring shots for your portfolio.

Shoes – Footwear can help convey the story and mood of your styled shoot so don’t overlook them in planning.

Invitation Suite – Some styled shoots include invitations, escort cards, menus, table numbers, or other paper goods.

Furniture and Props – what furnishings will be required?  Can you provide them, rent them, or borrow them?  Be sure to factor costs into your budget.

Network with Vendors

Once you have a rough outline of what you want your styled shoot to include, get out there and research some vendors who you think would be a good fit for your session’s theme.  Contact them and explain your concept to them.  Some vendors will be willing to donate their services for the chance at publicity generated by the session, but not all so be sure to discuss if they are willing to donate or if you will need to pay for their services.

Consider a Stylist

Working with a wedding planner or a photo shoot stylist can make the whole process of planing and executing your styled session much easier.  Planning and executing weddings is, after all, what they do every day!  If you are feeling like there is a missing link in youe styled shoot research a stylist.  As with your other vedors, they may be willing to donate their time, or you may be able to hire them for part of the process (i.e. just the planning or just the day of to help with styling while photographing).

Execute!

Once you have all of the pieces in play, get out and make it happen!  Be sure to keep in mind that the details should be the star, so minimize clutter and take clear, crisp photos.  Try to take a variety of images of each item in both horizontal and vertical formats at different zooms.  You do not have the pressure of the wedding day here so this is your time to experiment and really let your creativity shine!

Good luck!

 

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