Should You Bother with Styled Shoots?

As a wedding vendor, we've all heard of styled shoot. These can range from shoots that you have planned for the ground up, to sessions that you've bought tickets for. Some wedding vendors absolutely love styled shoots for marketing purposes, while others despise them. Personally, I'm somewhat in the middle.

Are styled shoots worth it for wedding pros?

I've seen a lot of comments recently that have made me think about this topic more than ever. This topic doesn't apply to everyone and I've definitely seen a lot of photographers like myself, who see styled shoots as opportunities for creativity. We get to practice our skills in the field and learn new techniques that we can then take back into real weddings.

But are they worth spending money, time, or efforts on? There are definitely pros and cons to styled shoots. On one hand, they can be a great way to get creative and learn new skills. They can also be a fun way to build your portfolio and meet new vendors. However, they can also be expensive, time consuming, and frustrating if things don't go as planned.

Here are some pros to doing a styled shoot:

It's a great way to get creative and learn new skills. You can try out different techniques that you may not get to use on a typical wedding day. Once you can add those to your portfolio, it makes it easier for potential clients to visualize. It's a great way to practice posing and get more comfortable directing your subjects. It also gives time for you to get creative with lighting, styling, etc.

Meeting new vendors with styled shoots

It can be a fun way to build your portfolio and meet new vendors. If you're looking for "vendor buddies" it's a great way to find other professionals in the area who work well together. It's also a great way to build lasting relationships with vendors you might not be comfortable with. You can meet them in a stress free environment which gives you the chance to get your feet wet before your wedding day comes around.

Taking creative photos for your portfolio

Styled shoots can be an opportunity for more creative photos, which in turn will help promote different wedding vendors. They can show a different side of your work and creativity that you might not get to use on a regular wedding day. This is especially true for photographers who shoot more traditional weddings.

Getting photos you may not otherwise have taken

The photo sessions can also provide unique opportunities for wedding vendors. Wedding planners, designers, floral designers, cake bakers, caterers etc. may get invitations to participate in the shoots for their services. Many of these vendors only get a few shots from typical wedding days, so this is an opportunity to focus on what they do best.

Use the shoots to get feedback

The shoots will also offer valuable feedback that can be incorporated into improving customer service for future shoots.

Now, let’s talk about the cons of doing styled shoots:

Styled shoots can be quite expensive, especially if you're planning it from scratch. You have to factor in the cost of props, outfits, models, hair and makeup, location rental, and food and drinks. Not to mention the time it takes to plan and execute everything.

The time commitment required can be significant.

Styled shoots can easily take up a full day. In order to pull off a great styled shoot with complex setups, you'll need at least a few hours for preparation and set-up time, the actual photo shoot will likely take at least 4 hours.

The cost of using a location can be expensive

If you're not shooting at a location that you own or have permission to use, then you'll need to factor in the cost of the rental. Many locations charge by the hour and they can be quite expensive.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional, styled shoots are a great way to keep your skills sharp. They can also be a fun and creative way to build lasting relationships with wedding vendors. Just make sure you weigh the pros and cons before deciding if it's right for you.