When my husband surprised me with a ticket to photograph a styled shoot with Styled Shoots Across America, I could hardly contain my excitement. As a photographer, I’m always on the lookout for opportunities to grow my portfolio, connect with creatives, and let my artistic side run wild. He picked the perfect Christmas gift.
This styled shoot delivered all that and more—an unforgettable experience filled with vibrant florals, inspiring collaborations, and stress-free creativity. One of my favorite aspects were the floral arrangements by Intrigue Designs, which consists of a group of extremely talented floral students. This shoot was full of gorgeous flowers in purples and pinks, which brought a whole new life and vibrancy to the shoot.
What made this session so special was that I was able to connect with so many creative partners, as well as the other photographers too! I can't get over how radiant our models were. Since this was a wedding-style shoot, they were all dressed up in gorgeous wedding finery by Olivier Couture Bridal, and hair and makeup by Glamon Location.
Another thing I can't stop glowing about was the venue! We visited the Milićević Farm & Vineyard, which was the perfect place for a purple and pink styled wedding shoot. Many of the backdrops were clean and white, the perfect blank canvas for all of the decorations.
As a photographer, I often am faced with the pressure to deliver perfection, but this styled shoot was a refreshing change. Since I was the client, the whole experience was so stress-free. I met so many talented photographers and vendors, each bringing their own unique pieces to the puzzle.
I captured some real winners at this styled shoot, but it didn't come without its challenges. There was some harsh lighting at some of the locations, which tested our skills. I took it as an opportunity to play with the light and shadows, angling shots for maximum drama.
By the end of this styled shoot, I not only had a collection of stunning images to add to my portfolio, but I can honestly say that my creative juices are flowing even more freely! If you're a photographer, I can't recommend styled photo shoots enough. I'm already counting down the days to the next one!
Thanks so much to Styled Shoots Across America for putting together such a stunning event, and to my wonderful husband who got me the tickets!
