Hey friends! If you want to plan a styled shoot but you’re not quite sure where to start, I have you covered!! :)

If you’ve never heard of them, styled shoots are basically like putting on a fake wedding. You pull together amazing vendors to create something beautiful and magical to photograph! The main reasons for them are typically to get published, to create portfolio work for all the vendors involved, and to build relationships.

Here are FIVE things I highly recommend doing when planning your own styled shoot:

Have a story. Before you jump onto Pinterest and start finding pretty florals and colors to play with, have a storyline for the shoot. What do you want it to convey? What story do you want it to tell? For example, the last styled shoot I did, the “story” was what a beautiful gift marriage is and wanting to display that during the shoot. This is especially important if you want to get the shoot published!

Have a vision. Once you have a story, pull together an inspiration board of images with details that you want to include in the shoot that also portrait the story you want to tell. Be very clear with what you want so vendors know exactly what to expect!

Pick strategically and communicate clearly. Choose vendors whose style will fit what you’re putting together, but in aesthetics and what kinds of images they share (do they share mostly light and airy or dark and moody photos?). When reaching out to vendors, be specific about what you need from them and lay out your expectations in your initial email, from time expected to what you need from them. Don’t leave them wondering whether it’d be a good fit! 

Be all about serving the other vendors. Starting in your initial email reaching out, share everything you want to DO for THEM – not just want you want from them. Tell them if you’re planning to get it published, if they have rights to use the images in their marketing, if they’ll get the high-res images, if they’ll be featured on your blog/social media… I would say to LET them do all of these things! Be all about giving before asking.

Bring snacks and water. Not only will the other vendors thank you, but you’ll thank yourself later. ;) 

Is there anything I’m missing? Tell me your biggest piece of advice for planning styled shoots below!! :)