How Styled Shoots Can Transform your Bridal Shop
Have you ever considered organising your own photo shoot for your wedding dress shop, but not done it before? Or perhaps you have participated in a shoot but not organised one for yourself. Then you are in the right place. I am obsessed with styled shoots and brand shoots for bridal shops. Whether you are a brand new face in the industry or a patriarch you NEED to be creating shoots for your brand. It is, in my opinion, an essential part of creating a strong, enduring brand with a cult following. Don’t believe me? That’s ok. Continue reading to hear how you can use styled shoots to position your brand and become fully booked with dream clients, consistently.
What is a styled shoot?
A styled shoot is a collaborative project between a group of wedding suppliers and is frequently used to recreate aesthetics, styles or showcase products the suppliers would like in their portfolio. Images are submitted to blogs and magazines to gain exposure and update the supplier's websites and social media. It is a perfect way to speak directly to your ideal clients by showing them that what you have to offer. The best way to show your dream brides that you have what they need is to show them.
Imagine your perfect bride opens up her Instagram account and there on her feed is a collection of photographs showing the dress of her dreams styled perfectly in a setting she would adore to get married in. She drools over the shoot, sees your shop name as the lead organiser of the shoots, clicks through to your website and books an appointment immediately. Your work has SHOWN her that you are the shop for her. That you can provide her with what she needs to recreate her perfect day. You have built trust with her as she has evidence of your talents. We can all talk the talk but styled shoots show you can back it up. Once your shoot has been featured on your dream blog you can then use the photos to flood your Instagram feed with glorious photos that showcase your brand and inspire both brides and your industry colleagues. You can use your shoot to improve your website and marketing materials AND have the shoot published again in your local wedding magazine. Plus use all the behind the scenes shoot day coverage to make a stack of those all important Reels. A beautiful styled shoot will keep on giving to you and your shop.
How do I organise one?
Styled shoots often showcase a ‘real’ wedding, with a model bride and groom, ceremony set up and reception. A styled shoot starts from a mood board and brief and is used to recreate a particular style of wedding or aesthetic. The lead person recruits other suppliers they think will be able to fulfil the brief. Collaborators provide elements of the shoot you do not specialise in such as flowers, cakes or stationery.
A mood board and brief are essential tools in achieving a shoot that looks the way you intend it to. It cements you own ideas and aspirations and keep collaborators on track. Please do not skip the brief. Writing down in words what you want the shoot to look and feel like, the key shots you want to capture and a list of people involved will keep you all on track both in the planning and on the shoot day.
An important piece of thought and research to do when you organising a shoot is to think where and when you will use the finished photographs. Do you want to do the shoot purely for your website and social media or would you like to submit it to blogs and magazines. Think about the blogs, magazines or platforms that your dream client interacts with. Are they an avid reader of a particular wedding blog? If so creating a set of images that you could submit to them is a fantastic way to connect with her. Spend some time looking at the blog’s content. Are they open for submissions? What are their guidelines? Some blogs prefer portrait photographs so if your ideal publication is the same make sure your photos will fit in with their requirements otherwise you will be declined even if your shoot is the best of the best. Now have a look at detail at what images that their readers love. What shots do they feature time and time again? Which of their Instagram posts get the most likes and interaction? Create a list of the photos you need to recreate yourself that will put you in the best possible place when submissions are considered. A good starting point is:
Model on her own with bouquet
Detail shots on the dress
Dress hanging up on a mirror/bed
Detail shot of shoes and accessories
Ceremony set up in beautiful venue or interesting back drop with out models
Ceremony
Romantic couple shots
Flatlay of stationery
Reception table set up
Flower arrangements
Cake
Venue
Once you have created the all important mood board and brief, it is time for the really fun part. Connect with your industry friends or dream colleagues and have a ball creating a shoot that truly reflects your brand. A shoot that will elevate your position in the wedding market and allow your dream clients to find you. You cannot get fully booked and a constant stream of sales if brides do not know who you are and what you can do. Show them your brilliance and what you can do for them and quiet days will be a thing of the past. Good luck and I cannot wait to see what you create.
Joanna xx
You can see the whole of this shoot, as featured on Belle Bridal Magazine HERE.
All photography by Sarah Brookes Photography
Shoot planned by Hall & Co Event Design
Flowers by Louise Langdon Florals
Venue, Waresley Park Estate
Fashion by Joanna Southwell