April 3, 2025

How to Plan Styled Shoots

Starting out in the photography world

Are you new to the wedding and elopement photography world and thinking, “I don’t know the first thing about how to plan styled shoots…” Well, you’re in the right place bestie. Overall, I will share the exact things that I did to plan styled shoots when I was first starting out in 2020, all the way to what I do now in 2025, and how to plan it out. Here it is:

My second wedding I ever shot

Now to layout a timeline for you, my first wedding was my sister’s wedding. My second wedding was booked from someone who followed my sister, which turned into my second wedding opportunity. At this second wedding, I met a New Jersey hair and makeup artist. Next, after the wedding ended, I went up to them and asked, “Hi, I am a brand new wedding photographer, and I am very interested in creating a styled shoot opportunity. Would you be interested to work with me local to this location?” And YAAAAAAY they both said yes! The makeup artist was Brittany, Beauty by Britt G, and the hair artist was Chelsea, Chelsea Camisa Hair, aka the dream team.

My first styled shoot: October 2020

To start, the location was at Readington Buffalo Farm. Next, I checked to see where I could shoot on the property. My concern was permits. The first thing I did was check if the land required a permit to do photoshoots on. My goal was SPEED. I wanted to get the shoot done as FAST as I could (because I was so new to the industry and needed content asap). Also, I wanted to make it as easy as possible to plan the shoot and do it a month later. I contacted the bride and asked her how she booked Readington Buffalo Farm. As I recall, she knew the owner and asked to take her wedding photos on their property, in the back area with an open field and treeline. She asked the owner if we could do photos, and they approved.

Let’s get scrappy… and get it done

Now that the location was secure, we planned the rest of the details. Wedding dress? We would use Brittany’s wedding dress. Then Brittany did the makeup, and Chelsea did the hair. Models? I asked my best friends close friend, Vienna Skye, to be the bride. Then I asked my guy friend, Mike, to be the groom. He wore my husband’s suit for the photoshoot. That covered: location, bride and groom models, hair, makeup, dress and suit. Everyone was willing to collaborative, and work together for free.

My second styled shoot: January 2023

The next styled shoot I planned out of state. I chose Oregon because one of my best friends, Haley, goes to Oregon State University. It was the perfect opportunity to feel comfortable in a new environment, where my friend could guide me when I was there with her. In addition, my new photographer bestie, Jen Bigelow Photo, was able to join me. She also visited Oregon before, being that she was based in Las Vegas, so she had the perfect location in mind. We decided to do the styled shoot elopement at Devil’s Punchbowl in Oregon. We had the best group to create an amazing styled shoot together!

The planning details

As for planning, I asked Haley if she would be willing to model as the bride, and her friend Matt, as the groom. They both said yes, YAAAAY! As for the wedding dress, I let Haley wear my wedding dress. As for Matt, he wore a more hipster, freestyle elopement outfit. It was an all black outfit, with a black jacket, and gloves. It was still cold in Oregon in January. As for hair and makeup, Jen and I did both for Haley. Haley wore hiking boots for the elopement day, and we brought a pair of heels from her for the flat lay photos. I got a veil from amazon, elopement vow books from Serengetee, a bouquet from a local flower shop, a typewritten elopement announcement,

My third styled shoot: April 2023

I had the idea spark into my head, while I was at my full time job one day. I realized my sister’s best friend lives in Maine. In addition, I also remembered that they got married and would possibly have their wedding attire still. I reached out to her, Kara, and asked if she’d be willing to model for me with her husband. They said YES! YAAAAAAAY! I told her I would drive up to Maine with my husband, and we would make a weekend out of it. Then I started the planning!

Their love story

Free as a bird 🕊️ Kara & Tim are one of those rare couples that just radiate the type of deep love in fairytales. She started dating him while he was in the army. They spent many hours getting to know each other over the phone. Late night calls with each other, longing to be together. Kara was able to visit Tim when he was stationed in Germany, and they were able to have a wonderful adventure together. They were inseparable by that point. No matter how hard the separation was while he was still in the army, they were there for each other through everything. Best friends and soulmates at the same time.

Planning their elopement styled shoot in Acadia National Park

This was the first time I planned a styled shoot in a national park. Therefore, I did research on if I needed a permit or not. I assumed that it would be easier to plan the shoot while it was in the winter. I also thought I may not need a permit because I would only be attending with my husband, and then taking photos of Kara and Tim. There would be no officiant, and no ceremony. After doing research, I figured out that I did not need a permit after all. Here is the link to the website that explains the permit process for Acadia National Park. And the only location we did photos at was Sand Beach.

My fourth styled shoot, Wander Work weekend: May 2023

By the time I was ready to plan a third styled shoot, I partnered with Jen Bigelow Photo, and we planned a WHOLE WEEKEND OF STYLED SHOOTS! We had 6 shoots total planned. It was absolutely amazing. The goal was to create adventure elopements, for photographers like us, to build up our elopement portfolios. It equally benefited Jen and I as we built our elopement brand, and benefited all the photographers who signed up!

We had 5 photoshoots planned:

Tim and Emily at the Little White Chapel and Fremont Street, Las Vegas
Demi and Patrick at the Little White Chapel and Fremont Street, Las Vegas
Kayleign and Noah at Jean Roach Lake Bed, Las Vegas
Debi and Cameron at Jean Roach Lake Bed, Las Vegas
Belle and Jeremy at Kingston Ranch, Sandy Valley, California
Ashlee and Jacob at Pioneer Saloon, Nevada

My fifth styled shoot: July 2023

After Wander Work in Las Vegas, I was on the styled shoot momentum. I wanted to plan another one in New Jersey! Something fun for the summer. I talked to my friend Brittany, who knew a lavender farm owner, Candice at Duchess Farms. It was the perfect place to do another elopement styled shoot! I asked my favorite model couple to model for me again, Tim and Emily. Brittany and I set up the shoot with them at Duchess Farms. The lavender was in bloom, so it was the perfect time to do the shoot!

Our friend Gaby is a florist, her business is Sins and Oddities. She designed an amazing guitar with flowers all over it for the photoshoot. They were going to change into casual clothes after the elopement shoot, and that is what Gaby designed the guitar for. Gaby also made Emily an incredible floral crown for the elopement shoot. Gaby is absolutely so talented, check out her and buy her arrangements at Sins and Oddities ASAP!

As for their outfits, I let Emily wear my wedding dress, and Tim wore a white button down with khaki pants. It was giving, “Boho. Free Spirited. Elope on a lavender farm vibes…” Then I brought my vow books, and a ring box for Emily’s ring. Candice at Duchess Farms made the most beautiful bouquet for Tim and Emily and allowed us to use her beautiful property.

My sixth styled shoot: April 2024

During my first Ramadan last year, in March 2024, I had a lot of time to think while I was at home and fasting. I realized I wanted to plan a more in-depth styled shoot, using vendors and imagining a more creative design for the elopement.

Reaching out to vendors

I asked Gaby, Sins x Oddities, to help me again, and she absolutely killed it creating gorgeous floral arrangements for the beach elopement. My friend Melissa that I happened to meet right before Ramadan, is an amazing baker. I asked her to create an elopement cake for the shoot. It was PERFECT, and now she has a baking instagram, Mels Sweet Delights.

I asked my model friend, Kelly Przy, to model with her boyfriend Joe. They were perfect for the job! I also asked my best friend Lauren to model with her boyfriend as well! This was the first time I hosted a styled shoot, by myself, with two couples modeling!

As for the hair and makeup vendors, I reached out to a local salon to where I was living at the time, Bombshell Hair Bar in Toms River. They sent me the most incredible hair artist, Amy Dillon, and makeup artist, Carly Larrison, to work with for the styled shoot. I WAS THRILLED!

As for the planning, I invited my friend to come help me and showcase her skills as a planner. She wanted to get into wedding planning so it was the perfect time (Then she later became the wedding planner for my best friend’s wedding). Nicole, Poppy Petal Events, is a QUEEN! Hire her to plan your wedding!

The elopement attire

As for their elopement attire, I got Kelly a dress from Lulu’s to wear, and I gave Lauren my wedding dress to wear (YES I got good use out of my wedding dress, and YES I styled it differently each time for new looks).

All Vendors

Makeup: @cosmobycar_
Hair: @amydill0n
Salon: Bombshell Hair + Beauty Bar
Florals: @sinsxoddities
Model: @kelly.przy
Dress: Lulu’s
Event Planner: @poppypetal_events
Cake: @mels_sweetdelights

Kelly & Joe

Lauren & Bassel

My seventh styled shoot: May 2024

As I gained more experience, and decided the level of planning I needed to do, I scheduled another styled shoot the following month. The purpose of this shoot was to portrait, “Adventure hiking elopement,” as if it was done out west. I asked my friends, Rachel and Jarred, who I have done shoots with before, to model for me. I LOVE WORKING WITH FRIENDS, it makes the experience so much sweeter.

The vision

After all the styled shoots I’ve done, I decided as amazing as they were, they still didn’t feel like authentically my true vision, or my favorite aesthetic. That’s where the hiking idea came in, and I wanted this to feel more like the adventure elopements you see out west, like in Colorado, Washington, Wyoming, etc. That’s when I had the idea to include some hiking merch, so I picked out fun socks and a national park mug from Parks Project.

Vendor Links

Hair by Lanie Max Hair.
Makeup by Faces by Alyssa.
Lulu’s dress here.
Instagram for the cake here.
Vow book by Copper Cloud Creative.
Hiking socks & mug by Parks Project.
Couple: Rachel & Jarred.

This shoot was EXACTLY what I’ve been dreaming of, AND MORE

I invited my friend Gianna, Gianna Caroline Photo, to join me. We had A BLAST! Gianna is such great energy to be around. I was so thrilled to bring this shoot to life because it was finally the EXACT type of shoot I’d love to do and MORE. I really love nature, trees, open fields, and the hiking aesthetic. This shoot finally brought my vision to life, and showed me what I could be capable of doing. This truly lit me up for my dream to do adventure elopements.

Starting off with a coffee date

I wanted to create a story for their adventure elopement, so I thought one of the fun ways we could start the shoot would be with coffee. Rachel and Jarred went to JamesBrew in their elopement attire, and it was such a vibe! This feels more authentic to an elopement experience, where couples can craft an entire day that is suitable for them. Whether that means going on a coffee date to start, eloping in the woods or on a mountain, and then celebrating with ice cream, so be it! Elopement are amazing because you can throw out any typical “wedding” rules, and make the day your own. What’s better than that!?!?

Shooting in the rain at Thompson Park

Not only was this my favorite type of shoot, but IT STARTED RAINING. The rain was absolutely amazing. It added so much romance and moodiness to the shoot. It was so perfect. Adding in the sweet smells of grass and rain in the spring, made for the most dreamy feeling. From the open fields, to the white wildflowers, to the big hill that allows you to overlook the vast tree line. Thompson Park is my favorite park in New Jersey, and my happy place.

My eighth styled shoot: August 2024

After I actualized my favorite type of elopement at Thompson Park, with Rachel and Jarred, this led me to dreaming of actually getting a mountain hiking elopement. Cue: MEET ME ON MOUNT TAMMANY, the adventure elopement at the Delaware Water Gap.

Mount Tammany is THE BEST HIKING SPOT IN NEW JERSEY! I love going there and hiking up to see the overlook with the Delaware Water Gap’s river winding around the highway. At this point, I’ve probably hiked the red dot trail at Mount Tammany like 6 times. The overlook is amazing, and it’s so nice going in the summer and enjoying the sweet air.

Mount Tammany Sunset Elopement: Vendors

Models: Tim & Emily

Makeup: Faces by Alyssa

Florist: Sins x Oddities

Getting published with styled shoots

Featured on Brides & Weddings.

My ninth styled shoot: October 2024

This was my first styled shoot in Michigan. After I found out that I was moving to Michigan in the summer, I decided to start researching. I started reaching out to vendors in Michigan. Like hair, makeup, photographers, videographers, planners, and just all wedding related vendors that I could make connections with. My plan was to form connections to make friends, in addition to connect with vendors who I could potentially work with for a styled shoot when I arrive to Michigan.

Amazing Vendors

The bridal hair stylist, Hair by Kaelee.

The makeup artist, Painted by Brook.

Wedding venue, Vale Royal Barn.

The wedding florist, Calendula Farms Floral.

Wedding cakes, Sweet Heather Anne.

Bride model, Bethany Davidson.

Getting published with styled shoots

Feature in Wandering Weddings here.

My tenth styled shoot: February 2025

I partnered with my Tampa photo bestie, Caty Folh, CF Photography, and we collaborated to put on a styled shoot together. It was so much fun putting our creative minds together, because I felt like we were yin and yang, complimenting each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Caty created an amazing tablescape idea and had such a cool vision for the flowers.