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Episode 118: Marsha Parker                      

Tips On Navigating A Styled Shoot

A Guest Blog Post by Gaye McNair | Tulips and Twigs

Two years ago when I started my floral design business, Tulips and Twigs, I realized it was taking me a while to get “out there” and start picking up clients. I decided to stretch into the unknown and put together a photoshoot so I would have professional images showing my work. I knew I needed this to build my portfolio. But there was so much I didn’t know! Let me share what I wish I had known at the time.

Identify Your Goal

First, think through your goals for the shoot. Is your goal to get published in print, on a blog, or both? Is it mainly just so you’ll have images for your own website and social media? Once you’ve thought about this, you’ll need to determine your target audience. Who do you want to see your work? It’s ok if, like me, you’re new to the floral business and just want to reach a local audience or establish credibility on your website. Maybe your needs could be met by contacting a local newspaper and arranging an interview and press release. Or maybe your goal is to be in a publication with a national reach. Your goal is the primary factor in the whole process, so really think it through! Do your homework and study those publications you’re most interested in to see the styles they tend to publish. Speak with them about what they might be looking for. Do you have a fresh look that will interest them?

Bride wearing a flower adorned hat and holding a bridal bouquet for a styled shoot

Choose a Photographer

Most styled shoots originate with the photographer, though not always. The photographer may contact you with an idea they already have, or maybe you’ll want to reach out to someone you’ve been following on social media and with whom you would like to collaborate. The photographer is KEY to the success of your shoot. Don’t rush this step! The photographer will most likely be the one to submit the images, so make sure your goals align with theirs. Has the photographer had submissions published before, and are they familiar with the submission process? It’s not a deal killer if they are fairly new, but something to keep in mind.

Also, does the photographer’s style fit your brand, or the brand you want to build? Some like a more washed out look, while others prefer dark and moody, etc. Look at their photos from events and see if they photograph floral details well. Talk with them about how much they edit photos and ask if they would offer you photos edited in your style if different from their preference. In my opinion, some editing enhances florals and others detract. Make sure you’ll be getting images for your own social media use that show your flowers in the way you want them to be seen.

Communicate well and graciously with your photographer. Ask if they will welcome your collaboration and requests for certain shots — for example, detail shots of a centerpiece or bouquet. Make sure they are comfortable with you being close by as they work and (politely) asking for an additional photo here or a close-up there, etc. While you want to defer to their skill and knowledge and not be micromanaging, you also need to know if they will allow you any voice. At the end of the day, if they miss a shot of that amazing centerpiece you spent time and money on, the image is lost forever. You might ask if they would welcome a short list of images that you are hoping to see, such as a detail shot of the bouquet with that amazing silk ribbon you took pains to source! Oftentimes they will send a mood board of their vision for the shoot to all the vendors which helps with the cohesiveness of the shoot. This is a moment when you can communicate with the photographer about specific things you would like to contribute and ask for the artistic freedom to meet your own goals while enhancing the overall look of the styled shoot.

Styled shoot tablescape with autumn-colored centerpiece of flowers in a brass compote bowl next to a place setting of fine china on a feather charger

Ask the photographer how they organize the vendors so the shoot is seamless and coordinated. Do they send out a contract that allows them to release the images to publications? Some do and some don’t. Maybe this isn’t necessary, but it does allow a level of comfort knowing that the models can’t pull the plug if they do not like the photos. 

Make sure you have the help necessary on the day of the shoot to allow you to walk around with the photographer, making sure the model is holding the bouquet to its best advantage, the gown is flared out nicely, or whatever. Be helpful in any way possible to the photographer! If you’re busy placing the final touches on the installation, you may be disappointed when you get images back and see things missing that would have been important to you.  Many times, photographers are more focused on the people, which is their primary goal as it should be, so they might miss a floral shot. Leave the installation details to your assistants and be present where the photos are being taken. If you cannot break away from that problematic install, then communicate with grace and ask the photographer if they would mind you looking at the photos on the camera viewer to make sure they got the shot that you were hoping for.

Communicate well and graciously with your photographer. Once you find one who fits you well, you’ll want to do more projects together!

Oh and before I forget, pack plenty of water and snacks. It’s hard work and everyone is going to be thirsty and hungry!

Choose a Model

Models should be chosen carefully. The photographer may already have models in mind, or may welcome suggestions. Models need to understand how many different people are relying on them the day of the styled shoot. Some people will only work with professional models, knowing it may be easier to get the nuance needed to stand above other submissions. I have not yet worked with professional models, so I’m not sure when payment is expected or required. I have paid the models I lined up for each shoot even if it just helped them cover their expenses for the day.

Make sure the models and the gowns/suits/etc. match the style for which you are aiming. For example, if you choose a Boho-style aestetic, make sure the theme is consistent throughout the decor and details. Does the style you speak to your brand? Consider the importance of representation when selecting models.  Publications like to see a wide range of people represented in a styled shoot including models of color, models of different body shapes, etc. Carefully select a photographer with experience capturing skin tones similar to those of the models you choose. Likewise, make sure your hair and makeup vendors are experienced working with different skin tones and hair styles.

Agree On a Budget

So let’s talk about money. I’ve heard some designers say that the flowers should be completely paid for by the florist. On my shoots, both the one I arranged and the others that I was invited to participate in, I have asked the primary vendors to split the wholesale flower cost with me. My design, labor, and portion of the wholesale cost are my contribution.  So far, everyone has been agreeable, without question, to this arrangement. To me this seems fair since everyone wants the look that quality flowers (usually more expensive) bring to the photos. You can save money by scheduling your shoot to coincide with a time you know you’ll already have flowers from another event (just make sure you have the time!). I was able to work with a photographer to schedule a shoot featuring wearables a few days after a bridal show that also featured my wearables. It was a busy week but doing it all at one time was worth it!

As far as the print and online publications go, most publishers want to see a number of vendors involved in the shoot which ensures a variety of images — stationery at the table setting, a classic “get away” car, elegant chairs from a rental company, etc. Also, most publications require exclusivity of the photos, meaning they don’t want the vendors releasing images before publication. So you need to make sure all the vendors understand this. A styled shoot requires the long view.

You may want to submit to an online publishing group, such as Two Bright Lights. While vendors other than photographers are able to sign up and submit, it is probably easier for the photographer to do this. Discuss if this is the route the photographer wants to take instead of magazine publication. Again, you want to be thinking of your goals for the shoot and who your target audience is.

If an event planner is involved, look on their website and Instagram for style and attention to detail. A good planner is in tune with the desired aesthetic of the shoot and can be so helpful in pulling everything together to make it stand out among the many submissions that publications receive.

I had just finished my third photoshoot at Tulips and Twigs with some wonderful photographers and vendors when Covid hit. Collaborating with these other vendors helped develop relationships which have definitely brought me referrals for weddings, and for that I am truly thankful. We are a relational industry, and meeting these other people in the business has been a total pleasure. And I am excited to share that we have just learned our first styled shoot (Blue-Ribbon Bliss) has been published in Southern Coastal Weddings magazine, and another of the three (Swamp Fox Farms: A Heritage That Runs as Deep as a Live Oak’s Taproot) has just been published in the Fall 2020 issue of South magazine, which has a national readership. So my goal of being able to put “As Seen In…” on my website has been achieved! And you know, we had a blast doing them!

Vendor Team for All Images Shown:

Photography: Ian V. Santiago

Flowers: Tulips and Twigs

Styling: Ashley Borders

Venue:  Swamp Fox Farms

Dress: Ivory and Beau

Beauty: Bride’s Side Beauty

Couch and Chairs: EventWorks

Suit: J Parker LTD

Bow tie: Brackish Bowties

Boots: Birdie James

Car: Lowcountry Valet


Click Here for additional tips on planning a styled shoot.

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  1. Mom & Dad says:

    So proud of you and your business venture.
    Mom & Dad

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