Are you a wedding planner who is thinking about doing your first styled shoot?
If you’re new to the world of styled shoots, it’s only natural that you might feel a little bit overwhelmed—after all, there’s a lot to think about! However, don’t let that stop you from going ahead and planning your own wedding shoot. I truly mean this: the benefits certainly outweigh any reservations you might have. A styled wedding shoot is a great way to build up your portfolio, attract new clients, or even create some beautiful images for marketing.
Your Styled Shoot Questions
There are a lot of questions that come up when preparing for a styled shoot, but don’t worry—I’m here to help. In this blog post, I’ll answer some of the most common questions planners have about styled shoots. So read on to learn more and feel confident in your ability to plan a beautiful shoot!
Do you need a contract in place for shoots?
A contract is not technically required for wedding planner styled shoots, but I highly recommend getting one in place. This document protects both you and the wedding vendors in the event that something goes wrong. A styled shoot contract is a document that outlines the terms and conditions of a styled shoot. This includes things like the date, time, and location of the shoot, as well as the roles and responsibilities of each participant. Having a contract in place also ensures that everyone is on the same page and that there are no surprises. It also helps to protect both the photographer and the wedding vendor from any potential legal issues. So, if you’re planning on doing a styled shoot, it’s definitely worth taking the time to draw up a contract. If you need one, consider going with the Engaged Legal Styled Shoot Agreement.
How do you reach out to vendors that you want to work with?
When reaching out to potential wedding vendors for a styled shoot, it’s important to be clear about your vision and what you’re hoping to achieve. Be specific about the details of the shoot, and provide any relevant information that will help vendors understand what you’re looking for. It’s also a good idea to include some images that highlight your style and aesthetic. This will give vendors a better sense of what you’re hoping to create, and whether or not they’d be a good fit for the shoot. Finally, be sure to express your appreciation for their time and work. Wedding vendors are often juggling a lot of different projects; so reaching out with a genuine and heartfelt message can go a long way in establishing a good working relationship.
How far in advance should you plan a styled shoot?
This is a great question with no definitive answer. Ideally, you should begin planning styled shoots at least two to three months in advance. This will give you enough time to secure a venue, gather all of the necessary supplies, and recruit any vendors. Of course, some styled shoots may require even more lead time depending on their scope and complexity. But no matter what, it’s important to start planning as early as possible to ensure everything goes according to plan. Trust me, the sooner you start planning, the better!
How do you budget properly for a styled shoot?
A styled shoot is a great way to build your portfolio, attract new clients, and network with other creatives in your industry. But if you’re not careful, styled shoots can also quickly become a money pit. The key to staying on budget is to be clear about your goals for the shoot, and then allocate your resources accordingly.
My personal philosophy is every vendor participating is donating their own time, money, and resources to be a part of the shoot. However, I do think florals (wholesale cost only and not time) should be a shared expense among the vendors because flowers make up 80 percent of the shoot and they have a limited timespan. It’s also hard to avoid unnecessary spending on last-minute add-ons like providing food for the vendors or added décor details. Give yourself some cushion room and add 10 percent of your original budget for some buffer room until you start to do more shoots and get a better handle on what to expect moneywise.
Can you have multiple vendors for one category?
While it’s possible to have multiple vendors for a single category, it’s important to carefully consider whether or not this is the best approach for your styled shoot. I don’t personally recommend going this direction if you are looking to publish your shoot in an online editorial. Most editorials want exclusivity when it comes to publishing a styled shoot. They might remove your photo shoot if they find it published on another online wedding blog. It’s also important to be transparent with a vendor if you’re planning to use multiple vendors for one category. If a vendor decides to work with you on your styled shoot, they most likely don’t want to share the limelight with another vendor who does similar work—just FYI. Because of this consideration, I would consider sticking with one vendor per category.
Styled Shoot Last Words
Most styled shoot questions are kind of like the wild west. There are no solid, set rules and everyone has their own way of doing things. That being said, there are a few styled shoot questions that are relatively universal, and I feel like we answered most of them today. So there you have it! But if you still have more questions, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. The Styled Shoot Workbook is a comprehensive guide that includes everything from budgeting to reaching out to vendors (and more!). It’s the perfect resource for anyone planning their own styled shoot, and we highly recommend purchasing a copy. Head over to our shop now and pick up your copy today!
