How A Styled Shoot Can Transform Your Bridal Shop

By Joanna Southwell

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.

How A Styled Shoot Can Transform Your Bridal Shop — Image by Rebecca Carpenter Photography

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, and 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 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 shoot, 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.

Listen to Joanna as she discusses the benefits of photoshoots for brands and boutiques, over on The Wedding Industry News Podcast.