If you’re in the wedding business, you know how essential styled shoots are. Crafting a well-thought out wedding styled shoot is an effective way to bring your creative expression to life, get gorgeous photos + show off your talents in the business to potential clients. Like a fashion editorial, styled shoots are carefully designed to tell a story through photos. Often, the story you’re telling is a love story displayed in a ceremony or reception. Your goal is to attract ideal couples through the story you tell. In the wedding business, styled shoots are crafted by a team of photographers, planners, venue coordinators, dress + tux services, models and so on. These shoots provide the platform through which the unique talents of each team member are showcased.

Wedding photographers display their creativity in the unique shots they capture. Planners hone in on their eye for detail + design. Venue coordinators show off their space. Bridal + groom services such as dress + tux companies gain more exposure. Floral companies get a chance to showcase their floral arrangements + rental companies provide the necessary lounge furniture, ceremony chairs + arches to complete the look.

Styled shoots take time + a lot of effort to plan and execute properly—they are the wedding minus the guests. So, how do you begin planning one?

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Craft a concept + create a mood board

It all begins with a concept, or a theme. When you begin to think about your styled shoot, ask yourself what the purpose of the shoot is. What couples are you trying to attract? For a modern boho couple, you will want to create a concept infused with bohemian design so you may consider a rustic or desert setting, bright colors + whimsical vibes. Or maybe, your ideal couple is more modern + elegant so you opt for a ballroom setting + a neutral color palette. If you’re a wedding planner, Where do your couples usually get married? A beach, garden, hotel? When coming up with a concept, keep the setting in mind as you want to show off what you can do in the targeted public’s preferred location.

Once you have a concept, begin creating your mood board. This is a great way to help you visualize the style you’re going for. Oftentimes, this mood board can act as a lookbook + can be easily shared with your team of vendors. This way, everyone can visualize the concept + execute it accordingly. Consider including inspiration photos gathered from Pinterest or past wedding portfolio pieces. Make sure to add in every aspect of your shoot—florals, lounge furniture, statement pieces, dress + tux, makeup, hairstyling, etc.

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Find your team

Now that you have a concept, you can begin putting your team together. The aspects of the shoot you’re looking for now are photography and/or videography, florals, rentals, venue, hair + makeup and dress + tux services. Take the time to look through different websites and portfolios. Ask yourself if they have the same targeted public. Do they have a similar vision? Have they done styled shoots before? Who is their ideal couple? You want to have a team that you can trust will execute the same vision + mood board. When you find someone that has a similar aesthetic to yours, reach out to them with a proposed concept + plan. Styled shoots not only take time, but often cost money. When asking other vendors to jump on this project with you, make sure you have a detailed plan of the day, and—if you have one—the publication you’re hoping to submit the shoot. If they say no, don’t be discouraged—they may just simply not have the time or resources to dedicate to this project. Just keep looking for other vendors you trust + soon you will have a team.

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Choose your models

Choosing your models is arguably the most important step of a styled shoot. You can have the most creative set, gorgeous details + beautiful makeup, but without a confident model, your shoot will fall apart. If your model is not comfortable with the shoot or is not the right look, your styled shoot will lack the essence of the story it’s trying to tell. That’s why it is so important to keep your ideal couple in mind when choosing your models. You want your couples to feel inspired by every detail of the styled shoot, imagining themselves in the place of the bride + groom. Reach out to other photographers + planners for recommendations of models. Use models that you have worked with before. The models don’t have to be a couple, but it’s always a plus when they are as it creates even more authenticity for the shoot. You’re highlighting a love story—couples want to see that love.

Once you find your models, communicate clearly your expectations for them in the shoot. This is a great way to make sure everyone is on the same page + lessen any potential conflicts.

Franciscan Gardens

ABC OC January Meeting | Mozambique Laguna Beach

Find your venue/location

Once you have your concept, think about the venue or location that would best fit the look. Again, if you’re going for a boho vibe, consider a location in Joshua Tree. If you’re going for a more whimsical or floral vibe, choose to shoot at a garden. If your ideal couple is more modern, look for an estate to execute a classic, indoor shoot. In short, make sure that the venue you choose fits your theme + matches your brand. If you choose to shoot on location, find out if it’s public or private land so you can get the necessary permits.

Hotel Indigo

Avalon Springs

Put together a time plan + shot list

Since the day of the shoot can be very busy, it is often helpful to create a detailed time plan. Once you’ve got all the details sorted, create a shared document + carefully plan out each shot of the day. Consider when each vendor will arrive, how long it will take to do hair + makeup, set up the mock ceremony and tear down after the shoot is done. Think about the time of the day you want to shoot during. Are you going for a golden hour ceremony? A mid-day cocktail hour? Be thoughtful about the shots you want. How long will each shot take? Will they be taken in different locations? On the day of, it’s easy to get carried away with shots or even forget a few because of rushing. That’s why it’s so important to create a shot list ahead of time.

Autumn Styled Shoot

Shoot with your goal in mind

This should be obvious, but when it comes to the day of, remember the goal of your shoot when executing your vision. With the amount of thought you have put into planning, it would be awful if you were less thoughtful on the day of the shoot + the perfect ceremony you envisioned falls apart. To avoid this, make sure each vendor is clear on your vision + brand. At the end of the day, planning only goes so far—it’s the execution that will make it or break it. So, be clear on what you expect + don’t settle for less. And if you trust your team, this should go smoothly.

Hotel Indigo

Pitchouline Editorial

Make it memorable

Finally, with so many styled shoots circulating the world of weddings, you want yours to stand out. Look to include statement pieces, steam machines, unique angles for shots or even a dog! Anything to grab the attention of your ideal couple + make your shoot stand out above the others.

Villa del sol Styled Shoot

Pitchouline Editorial

So, are you ready to create something magical + memorable? Begin thinking of concepts today + create a mood board! It all starts with a vision + the Leilani squad is here to help! Styling a shoot takes a lot of time + effort but it’s so so worth it, especially if you’re just getting into the business. And we’d LOVE to get you started + create magic with you!!

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