Last night I had the privilege and opportunity to share my experiences with some industry experts on the subject of styled shoots and specifically how to get the most out of the time with the photographer. The webinar was hosted by Tara Melvin of Perfect Planning Events and each week there is a different topic. I loved the opportunity to share and because many people missed the webinar I wanted to share the highlights from this topic!

We covered 8 areas of working with a photographer.  Please see below:

Topic 1: Know the Publication: 

1. When someone asks me about photographing a styled shoot, one of my first questions is where the shoot is being submitted?  Knowing this helps determine if the style of the shoot will fit the publication that the planner has in mind.  Each publication has its own aesthetic, so if the style of the shoot doesn’t match, it may not be accepted no matter how pretty it is.  Research publications to determine if your ideas for the shoot fit what the publication currently shows.  Chances are they are not going showcase photos that are a ‘180’ in style because it will confuse their readers.
2. What are publications looking for? There are a number of wedding blogs that are on Two Bright Lights, check to see what the editors are requesting and the deadlines to see if your shoot fits.  However, not all publications utilize Two Bright Lights.
3. *Vendor profiles on TBL are free, create one to help ensure the photographer or planner can pull your correct company information from the database, versus relying on us to create your profile.

Topic 2: Partnering with the Photographer:

1. Find a photographer that has a style you like and can match the style of the publication you are considering for your submission. Asking or expecting a photographer to change their editing or shooting style may be interpreted as trying to change the photographer.  LOL
2. Share a mood/inspiration board with him or her so that you’re on the same page with what you are trying to achieve.
3. Share expectations on turn around time.  A photographer doing styled shoots in the middle of their busy season may have a slower turn around time than they would during the slow season.

Topic 3: Communication:  

1. Who is submitting the shoot?  The publication always needs the photographer to sign off, but make sure you aren’t both submitting and duplicating efforts.
2. Ensure all participating vendors are aware of the date, time and exact location. Also, communicate a rain plan in the event the shoot needs to be rescheduled.
3. Provide a list of who is providing their services for the shoot and their appropriate company information for crediting purposes should the shoot be selected for a feature.
4. Give updates on the status of submissions and when the shoot has been accepted, especially if some time has passed since the shoot.
5. Determine when the full gallery of photos will be released and when they can be shared to social media.

Topic 4: Angles, Lighting, etc:

1. If you’re working with a photographer you trust, you have already discussed your vision with them and will need to trust them to capture the vision of the shoot.
2. Share your ideas and ask questions along the way to ensure everything has been captured before breaking down the shoot.
3. Schedule plenty of time in case something is in “bad” light and needs to be moved.

Topic 5: Tips for Great Photos:

1. Try and set-up the shoot in an area that’s free from distractions such as exit signs, room partitions and outlets.
2. Remove clutter and preparation debris from the shooting area.
3. If possible, provide the photographer with a clean 360 degree view in case they want to shoot at different angles around the tablescape.

Topic 6: Setting Up for the Perfect Day:

1. Provide a timeline for vendor arrivals to ensure everyone is on the same page.
2. Provide timing for a finished set as some vendors will need longer to set-up than others.  This will allow them to plan accordingly.
3. Set vendor expectations on site. Is social media sharing allowed?  Do you want the hair or make-up artist to stay the entire time?, etc.

Topic 7: Good vs Bad Details:

1. Ensure the proper place settings for tablescapes.  Are the utensils set correctly? Are the chairs aligned?
2. Ensure there are clean details.  Are there any bends or tears in the stationery products? Are any of the desserts smashed?  These are not good a representation of the vendor that provided them so ensure those aren’t photographed if they are not perfect!

Topic 8: Providing Enough Time

1. How long do you have the venue?
2. How long does the photographer have to shoot?
3. Will the sun moving or setting affect the aesthstic of the shoot?
4. Are there vendors that will need to leave by a certain time?
5. Are there vendors that need to return and pick up items by a certain time?

Incorporate these things into a timeline in case things needs to be photographed in a certain order to meet timing deadlines.

I hope this information was helpful and if you are planning a styled shoot or have additional questions about styled shoots and their purpose, please feel free to contact me at tbaskin@terribaskin.com.  Cheers!