styled shoots

It’s interesting how angry some wedding suppliers get about styled shoots – at least from the forum chats and Facebook groups I’ve seen. Anyone would think styled photoshoots were some kind of evil plot to dupe couples into booking dodgy suppliers. The reality is the opposite: all of the styled shoots I’ve been involved with have been put together by amazing creatives looking for a way to showcase their ideas and share inspiration with couples. Styled shoots as I see them are a healthy, inspiring, and bloody gorgeous way for the industry to show YOU how they make weddings look amazing. So if you stumble across one of those Reddits suggesting styled shoots are “disingenuous at best”… here’s a balanced view from me – as a wedding blogger and a wedding creative.

As well as writing English Wedding, I’m a calligrapher and wedding stationer. This image was from a styled photoshoot at Ghyll Barn, taken by Hannah Hall Photography. See the full supplier list below, and tap to see this deepest winter wedding inspiration on our blog.

Styled shoots are how we show you ideas

I’m a calligrapher. I write beautiful menus, place names and table plans for weddings. I can design gorgeous samples in trending colour palettes – but getting decent photos is hard. Collaborating with other creatives is how I show you what I can do. The same applies for cake designers, florists, hair and make up artists, stylists, dress designers and so on. At styled shoots we get to show off the most amazing designs we can create, and share them with you.

Styled shoots make dream teams – and that matters for weddings

Collaborating on a styled photoshoot is a lovely way for suppliers and photographers to connect, without the pressure of a wedding where everyone is super busy, and cake makers / florists might arrive super early, leaving before the ceremony. At a styled shoot, we all have time to talk, to catch up – and to get to know each other. I’ve been at styled shoots and seen how hard other suppliers work: photographers, stylists and floral designers I admire you SO much. And this all means we can recommend each other to our couples, with the genuine knowledge that we’re recommending people who care deeply about the weddings they work on.

Styled shoots should be free for suppliers…

… or at least, those who can afford to might chip in for model fees or anything that needs to be bought in. The whole thing of ‘portfolio building workshops’ began when I was already a wedding blogger, and honestly I have mixed feelings about these. I love seeing styled shoots where local suppliers have joined forces – for all the reasons I just mentioned. But if a dozen photographers have paid to travel to France where they’ll work with suppliers they’ll never meet again… I don’t understand the added value. (There’s a little to be said for collaboration over competition, and photographers sharing experiences and techniques and learning from each other, perhaps.)

No one should ever claim a styled shoot as a wedding

This does make me angry – but it’s very rare. Some inexperienced photographers will publish images from styled shoots as though they were weddings. Honest suppliers and bloggers will always say when the images they share are from a styled photoshoot. There’s a secret to recognising styled shoot images. In the words of Ariel at Offbeat Wed, “You can almost always spot a styled shoot: everyone looks perfect, and there seems to be a lack of guests at the “wedding.”” Very occasionally I’ve been sent styled shoots with a write up that skirts around the truth – and I will always make it super, super clear that it’s an editorial shoot and not a real wedding.

Styled shoots are amazing for content – and all suppliers need to be seen

In the age of content creation, and the explosion of BTS footage I’m seeing from suppliers on instagram, a styled shoot is a lovely opportunity for wedding creatives to generate content. We all have to be prolific on social media these days – and that’s hard. Creating BTS footage while a wedding is happening, or under the time pressures of setting up before a wedding, is a lot for creatives and photographers to have to do. Styled shoots are a more relaxed environment for doing this – and those stunning images can be used for blog posts, guest articles on other websites, and to get features on major wedding blogs where visuals are really key. If you’re a supplier and want to read around this, check our blog wedding SEO tips that actually work!

Styled shoots for diversity and inclusivity

Since 2020 I’ve had a Diversity first pledge on English Wedding. It’s really important to try and showcase as many diverse weddings and photoshoots on blogs as possible. (I wish I got more submissions – if you’re a photographer with a wedding or photoshoot that fits this pledge, please submit to the blog!) The truth is, even bridal designers have gradually moved away from using Black and Asian models since 2020, and the lack of disabled couples on mainstream blogs is a problem. (See above – submit if you can!)

From a supplier’s perspective, having a portfolio of images which reflects diversity and inclusivity is important. Collaborating on a styled shoot can be a way to kickstart bookings from couples other than white, heterosexual couples – and a way to show that this is important to you and your business.

Styled photoshoots can evolve your wedding business

If you’re looking to reach more diverse couples, or to take more bookings from a local venue you love, then styled photoshoots can evolve your wedding business to where you want it to be. I adore styled shoots as a supplier because they’re a rare chance to catch up with lovely people working in weddings locally, to explore new venues and meet new people – and to have fun. There’s nothing lovelier than a creative day out with other people who are self-employed working in weddings.

A last word: do “brides eat the BS”?!

The answer is no. This came from that Reddit I mentioned at the top of this article. A photographer (I assume) implied that suppliers were passing off images from shoots as real weddings, and that “brides eat the BS” – i.e., that brides believe it’s real. How rude!!! I like to credit both grooms and brides with more savvy than that. You’re not out there looking at styled photoshoots with tons of florals and layer upon layer of styling, and thinking it’ll all cost a couple of hundred quid!

So styled shoots, presented honestly, can provide inspiration. It’s your actual conversations with your florist, venue stylist and stationer which will help you decide how you actually style your wedding. Balance is important, but inspiration is a beautiful place to begin – and that’s why I love styled wedding shoots!

Tap here if you have a styled photoshoot to submit to English Wedding

debate

They can be controversial, but I still love styled shoots: here’s why.

By Claire Gould, 4 months ago

Header image credit: Jack Aldridge Photography (full shoot in our archives & supplier credits here)

I’ve been trying to grab the time to write this little guide for you for ages! A few days’ holiday last week meant I could scribble down a few notes, so here we go!

Styled wedding shoots are a BIG thing for wedding suppliers. They’re by far the best way to build a solid marketing campaign for your brand – and they’re fabulous for any visual wedding business. In essence, styled shoots allow you to showcase your creativity, collaborate with other vendors, and produce stunning visuals that can attract potential clients. For those looking to start out in wedding photography, exploring wedding photographer roles could be a great way to get involved and gain valuable experience.

Today I’ll give you a quick overview of what styled shoots are, why you should get involved in one, how it all works and what not to do!

Wedding styled shoots in a nutshell:

Usually, the person whose idea it is will do most of the organising.
A little team – photographer, florist, dress designer, venue stylist etc – work together for free for one day
You’ll all get beautiful images of your work
Everyone share the images on instagram etc, crediting everyone else every single time
Shoots are usually published on wedding blogs and in print magazines

What are styled shoots all about?

• They’re a brilliant way of collaborating with other suppliers in your area or niche – and of making friends and gathering an industry support network around you
• They’ll enable you to build a beautiful portfolio for your brand
• The images from your styled shoot will be a fabulous starting point for your marketing campaigns and social media
• Styled shoots can help you create your branding with cohesion and consistently beautiful styling
• And with a few exceptions, no money changes hands: styled shoots will only cost you in time and materials – everyone works for free

Let’s clarify some misconceptions:

Styled shoots won’t cost you money. You don’t have to pay the photographer, stylist, venue hire, bridal boutique, decor hire companies…
Styled shoots are collaborations with everyone working hard to create together, with a shared purpose to cross promote ie share your own work and each other’s

Styled shoots: a step by step ‘how to’ guide

Pulling together a collaborative styled shoot is hard work – so be prepared!

1. Plan your shoot.
   1. What’s your overall objective?
   2. How will it look (themes can help: boho, whimsical, English country garden, urban chic…)
   3. Pinterest is your friend – create a simple moodboard you can share
2. Reach out to suppliers you’d like to work with
   1. This is hugely important: the right photographer / fashion / floristry will make your shoot. (And the wrong ones will break it.)
   2. Include team members who’ve featured on blogs before, or who pay to advertise with a blog – it’s a good ‘way in’ to getting featured
3. Organise everything carefully. Keep spreadsheets. Have clear roles (who’s in charge of submitting to blogs? Who’s bringing lunch?) and maintain communication with everyone in a supportive way
4. On the day – Be calm; be friendly, help each other. Florists have a huge amount of work to do setting up; hair and make up will take a couple of hours. Have a clear finish time, look after outfits (a smudge on a dress could cost you – be super, super careful with everything!) and work to a time plan (2pm in the gardens; 3pm on the balcony; 4pm on the beach; 5pm vacate the venue for example)
5. Be patient. If you’re not the photographer, be aware that editing images takes time. Allow 6 weeks or so for images to be ready. This might mean you have to plan your shoot well in advance if you’re looking to feature in a specific publication or at a certain time of year. (Autumn shoots with an autumn vibe can be tricky when it comes to timing!)
6. Plan submissions and sneak peeks. Know which blogs and magazines your shoot will be submitted to – ideally, plan where you’ll submit before you even contact your suppliers at step 2! Make sure one person is in charge of submissions, and keep everyone up to date with how submissions are going. You’ll also need clear guidelines about which images can be shared as sneak peeks, and which have to be kept exclusive until your publication date
7. Share and credit. The hard work of a photoshoot starts AFTER the big day. Everyone involved should share the images for a long time afterwards, crediting properly on websites, tagging on social media, and saying how bloody lovely all the team members were to work with! Once your shoot has been published on a wedding blog, share and credit again. When that blog’s exclusivity is over, repeat steps 6 and 7 multiple times: don’t ever aim to only feature on one blog. You can have your shoot featured on blogs big and small, on blogs in the UK and US, on niche and mass market blogs, in national wedding magazines and local publications. Keep it going… you can get several years’ BIG marketing from one well curated styled shoot.

Styled shoots: some key things you should DO:

• Be clear. Communicate – consistently – the blogs you’re aiming for, the look, the timings and arrangements for the day
• Select collaborators carefully. Really carefully. See point 2 above. (I’ve seen beautiful shoots with appalling photography. I’ve seen stunning styling with awful dresses. I’ve seen ‘boho’ shoots with basic florals. I’ve been sent more than one shoot where the models didn’t turn up on the day. Your team HAS to be perfect, and professional! (Sometimes it’s worth hiring professional model couples – there are loads on insta!)
• Thank people. Always be aware that everyone is working super hard behind the scenes to pull this off. Be grateful and you’ll make friends for life.
• Know your blogs. Don’t even consider submitting to a niche blog if your look doesn’t fit: traditional styling won’t work on a blog full of alternative couples, bold and vibrant photography won’t work on a ‘fine art’ wedding blog.
• Read my ‘10 top tips for wedding photographers to help you get featured on wedding blogs‘

And our little list of styled shoot DONTs:

• Never deceive your potential clients. If you’re using images from a styled shoot on social media, don’t pretend it’s a real wedding.
• Don’t expect too much: when all collaborators are working for free, don’t present a list of demands (e.g. we need a floral arch and a big pedestal arrangement and six buttonholes and two bouquets and table arrangements and they all have to have expensive peonies in a very specific shade of white and I don’t like sunflowers or anything yellow and oh can you do a flower crown for my dog too?)
• Don’t be lazy! Be prepared to spend days working on your shoot, planning everything then rushing around on the day and then ESPECIALLY contacting blogs and publications afterwards, and sharing on your social media.

We’re ALWAYS looking for beautiful styled shoots to feature on English Wedding. Here’s how to submit a styled shoot to our wedding blog – we’d love to see it!

Join English Wedding – our content comes from our wonderful members, the amazing independent wedding businesses who make UK weddings the BEST in the world. You guys are incredible and we want to support you and help you get featured and SEEN by all of the lovely couples out there planning their weddings. You’ll find everything you need to know about joining us on our membership page – prices start from £60 for the full year!

Further reading: Coco Wedding Venues’ Ultimate Guide to Styled Shoots is fantastic
Ruffled Blog’s Styled Shoot 101 is a useful and realistic read (yeah; it’s not guaranteed you’ll get published, but by following our tips you’re in with a really, really strong chance.)
Read Dirty Boots & Messy Hair’s guide to epic styled shoots – it’s really inspiring!