Industrial Boho Styled Shoot

I’ve always been inspired by styled shoots and have been wanting to plan one forever. But between moving cities, traveling, working with clients, and getting married myself, I knew I didn’t have the time to plan one like I wanted to. Once I finally got settled in my new home in Charlottesville, VA and it was “slow season” for weddings, I knew it was time to start planning!

I want to share the beautiful images that my photographers captured and share some behind the scenes of the shoot, as well as give planning tips and advice. Styling, executing, and coordinating a styled shoot is no easy task and I’m sure it can be intimidating for newbies in the field! I hope this helps you and encourages you that you can do it!

Styled Shoot Planning Tips:

1. Build relationships first

I had the idea of a styled shoot in the back of my mind for months, but when I moved my first priority was making connections. I made a list of vendors such as florists, photographers, and rental companies who seemed professional and had a style similar to my own. I then emailed them introducing myself, asking if they would be interested in working together, and briefly explaining expectations. I emailed several venues and set up tours with them to develop relationships and to determine where I wanted to pursue the idea of a styled shoot. I fell in LOVE with a venue here in Charlottesville called The Wool Factory which is a new space with an industrial feel. After meeting, touring, and discussing their expectations and ideas we settled on a date and I got to work nailing down everyone else.

2. Develop an aesthetic

I love creating mood boards and started here before sharing expectations or ideas with any vendors. Obviously the venue will be a major factor when shaping the style and aesthetic of a shoot, so keeping that in mind while styling is key. I used the mood board simply as inspiration when telling vendors my vision, but was very clear that I didn’t want to copy or simply try to recreate the mood board. Styled shoots should be approached with the intention to create something unique and new that highlights each vendors personal creative strengths. I gave my florists and photographers free reign to put their personal spin on things, while keeping my domain on the overall style and aesthetic of the shoot at large.

3. Understand your role as planner

As a styled shoot coordinator/planner, I was the main point of contact and solely responsible for the success and execution of the shoot. I was the one emailing and meeting with all vendors, picking up supplies and rentals, loading them in my car, moving tables, and setting up items on site at the venue. As the planner, I was the one responsible for purchasing the wedding dress, stationery, styling pieces, and more. I did have a wonderful team of vendors who contributed, and the florist and photographers went the extra mile to help prep things and set up last minute on site. But as the shoot coordinator, know that your role is deeper than developing a mood board and setting up a pretty tablescape.

4. Understand social media etiquette

Contributing to a styled shoot is a big commitment for all vendors involved in terms of time, money, and resources. One large perk to collaborating on shoots is industry connections and sharing beautiful images on websites and social media. However, it is so important to make sure that when you are sharing images you are crediting everyone involved and properly tagging the images. Not only is this the “polite” thing to do, but not doing so could also open up controversy of legal and copyright issues, especially for not crediting a photographer’s work.

Another comment for social media etiquette - when there is more than one photographer contributing to a shoot, you should only give credit to the photographer who actually took the image you are sharing. This can be very confusing for potential clients if when sharing an image from a shoot you credit multiple photographers (when clearly only one photographer can take one image)

Vendor Team

I was so fortunate to work with an amazing team of vendors - truly some of the best I’ve encountered in the wedding industry! The rentals and florals truly brought this shoot to a whole new level and I was so impressed with the inventory of candles, candle sticks and decor that Hedge Fine Blooms contributed on top of their GORGEOUS flowers and greenery. They perfectly captured the style and theme I envisioned and worked with them to create and I was seriously blown away.

Festive Fare Event Rentals is basically next door to the venue and has a broad range of everything you can imagine to create beauty tablescapes. I was in love with the matte, minimalist plates and flatware they contributed, as well as the glassware and linens which are very on-trend. Sliced Cake Bar contributed a stunning cake, as well as the cutest little “shooters” that were so delicious! Rebel Child Jackets handmade the trendy and unique denim jacket, which is a new style I am seeing more and am obsessed with. They also have a discount code created just for Atlas & Ember brides - so if you book with me this is another perk I can offer you. And of course, we would be no where without the stunning venue: The Wool Factory. As mentioned above, they are a new venue located in Charlottesville VA with industrial roots. They also have opened an amazing restaurant, brewery, and other community spaces in addition to the wedding venue space, so be sure to check them out!

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Photographers:

Also - how lucky am I that I not only one but THREE talented and kind photographers who contributed to this shoot?! I never think it is a bad thing to let several photographers join styled shoots because they always create different images that let their own personal style shine. This can also be useful for vendor marketing as the different vendors who contributed can choose images that best match their personal style and brand. Melissa Sheridan Photography, Kim Johnson Photo, and Julia Michael Co. were all so amazing to work with and captured such beautiful images. I’ve shared galleries of their images below!