Top 14 tips for attending your first styled shoot as a professional photographer

If you’ve already discovered the twelve reasons why styled photo shoots help you develop your photography business, it’s time to learn the best tips for attending your first photo styled shoot.

Ready to shine at your first shoot? Don’t worry if you’re feeling a little nervous, it’s completely normal! And it’s wonderful that the nerves don’t stop you and you’re here to learn the best tips.

We, as experts in the field, give you all the keys to make this experience a total success for you and so that you can make the most of your session. We assure you that you will regret having participated in it.

So take note of them all! Here we go!

Tip 1: Define your goals

Before you jump into action and attend your first styled shoot, it’s crucial to be clear about your goals. What do you really want to achieve with these photos? Are you looking for professional photos for your portfolio? Do you want stunning images for your social media profile? Do you want to project a particular image, such as professionalism, creativity or confidence? Do you hope these photos will open up new opportunities for you, such as collaborations or jobs?

Once you’re clear on what you want to achieve, make sure you have your goals in mind and you’ll be ready to rock the photo shoot in style.

Tip 2: Think about who you want your potential clients to be

Before you launch into your first shoot, stop for a moment and think: what kind of couples do you want to seek you out to capture their special moments?

Imagine those couples full of life, always looking for adventure and laughter, yes, those are the crazy couples that could be your ideal clients! Or maybe you prefer the timeless charm of classic couples, looking to capture elegance and romance in every image.

Decide what type of couples you want to be called upon and what type of people you want to work with. Whether you’re looking for couples full of life or with a touch of tradition, get ready to capture unforgettable moments and make magic behind the camera!

Tip 3: Build your visual map

Ideally, you should have a map to guide you to all those amazing moments you want to capture. What kind of pictures do you dream of taking? What angles, shots and shots do you want to experiment with? It’s important to keep all of this in mind before the big day to make sure you don’t leave anything to chance.

Remember, better too much material than too little! So jot down your ideas, imagine each shot and visualize the end result. With your visual map in hand, you’ll be ready to capture every moment with style and precision on the day of the shoot.

Tip 4: Keep your corporate image and style in mind.

Before attending your first styled shoot you need to keep in mind what your style is. What kind of photographer do you want to be? Do you envision yourself as a timeless image-maker, capturing moments that stand the test of time? Or perhaps you lean towards the more modern and stylized side, seeking aesthetic perfection in every shot?

Maybe your style is documentary photography? Whatever your style, make sure you always keep it in mind. Because your photos not only reflect moments, but also your personality and your unique way of seeing the world through the lens!

Remember, your style is your signature, it’s what will make your clients choose you again and again. 

Tip 5: Join the community created by the shoot organizers.

When you are going to attending your first photo styled shoot, it is recommended that you join the community created by the shoot organizers beforehand. Introduce yourself, be yourself! Try to connect with everyone, from the other photographers to the models to the support team – it’s like a pre-shoot party!

How about meeting up beforehand or even going together? Getting to know someone before the big day will certainly take some of the nerves away. Plus, it’s a great way to make a deeper connection and make new friends along the way!

And don’t forget to connect with the vendors as well – they’re an important part of your team! Talking to them will give you a more complete picture of the whole process and help you feel more confident and prepared for the day of the shoot.

Tip 6: Prepare everything the day before

Yes, make sure you have everything clear: go over the details of the session, confirm location and times – we want to avoid last minute surprises!

Make sure all your equipment is in perfect condition: Cameras? checked and clean! Lenses? shiny and ready to capture the magic!

And don’t forget something important: take several memory cards – we don’t want any scares in the middle of the session! So make sure you have enough space to capture every moment without worry.

Tip 7: Have a positive attitude

Yes, some photographers may have more experience than you, but you will also have more experience than someone else. Always keep in mind that this will be a learning experience for everyone and that you are all on equal footing when it comes to attending your first photo styled shoot.

So keep that smile on your face, be receptive to advice and suggestions, and above all, enjoy the process!

Tip 8: Don’t compare your equipment to that of others

Just because a photographer has the latest camera or the most expensive lenses doesn’t mean your images are better than theirs.

Focus on knowing how to use your own equipment to the best of your ability and creating amazing images with what you have.

Tip 9: Ask as many questions as you want

Don’t be afraid to ask the organizers or other participants any questions that may arise. Organizers of styled photo shoots are always willing to help and share their experiences. Prepare a few questions you want to ask before attending your first photo styled shoot. 

Tip 10: Use the shoot as a marketing opportunity

Take advantage of this opportunity to boost your brand! How? Easy! Think of all the ways you can use this shoot to promote your work on social media. 

At the top of your list? Vendor tags! Keep a list of all of them handy so you can share content about the session and tag the vendors involved. Your potential clients love to see everything you do!

Tip 11: Shoot strategically

This is tricky because many times space is limited in the shooting area and you feel like it’s impossible to get the shot you want. So have a plan when attending your first photo styled shoot to get what you need so that, worst case scenario, you focus on the must-haves and at least stick with them. 

Tip 12: Make a backup

Before you miss a single image, back it up right away!

Grab those amazing photos and make a quick selection, then upload it to social media as a sneak peek! And don’t forget to tag all the vendors who made this epic shoot possible!

Tip 13: Share your photos

After editing those photos with your magic touch, it’s time to share them. If there’s one thing you love about attending your first photo styled shoot, it’s sharing the results.

First, share the images with the session organizers and vendors – they’ll be thrilled to see your work and be able to use the photos to promote their own services!

Next, select the best images to share on social media – prepare captivating posts, emotion-filled stories, videos that tell the story behind the shoot and reels that dazzle!

Tip 14: Enjoy the experience

The best growth happens when you venture out of your comfort zone. So what are you waiting for, enjoy every moment of this unique experience!

Allow yourself to dive into the unknown, embrace the challenges and learn something new along the way. And remember, after all, you’ll feel amazing for having done it.

Now that you’re ready for attending your first photo styled shoot, you’re sure to feel more relaxed and confident and looking forward to the day.