Today’s post we’ll be talking about how to choose the right suppliers for your styled shoot.

Everything started in May 2018, after attending a networking event and meeting some event professionals from Belgium and the Netherlands. We carried out the first styled shoot (or editorial) of some providers involved (mine included). With a whole professional team, we create scenarios, decorations, stationery and more for this super day at the restaurant De Serre, in Antwerp. Everything was very well organized and directed by Sixtine, who had the excellent idea of ​​the editorial to promote her work and that of the others involved.

Everything started on May 2018. After attending a networking event and meeting some event professionals from Belgium and the Netherlands, we carried out the first styled shoot (or editorial) of some providers involved. With a whole professional team, we create scenarios, decorations, stationery and more for this super day. We met at the restaurant De Serre, in Antwerp. Everything was very well organized and directed by Sixtine, who had the excellent idea of ​​the editorial to promote her work and that of the others involved.

I feel lucky and honored to be invited to take pictures of 2 styled shoots. I didn’t create mine yet but that time will also come. For those who have not yet participated or organized an editorial, it may seem complicated. However, working with the right suppliers becomes a lot of fun. The opportunity to create new looks and new possibilities together is incredible. The butterflies in the belly exists and will always exist. For each new job I always have a little chill in my belly, which moves me to make everything happen as planned, and which also helps me to adapt to new situations. In the end, what I really want is to deliver my best and make the smile pop on my client’s face. After all, the photos are for him/her/them.

In the case of the editorial, the photos are used to promote the work of all professionals. Thus, the expectation on everyone involved is high. I believe that the expectation on the photographer is a little higher because it is the photographer who will deliver the final result of this union of talents, having to positively surprise everyone involved, highlighting the work of each one.

Do you want to plan your own styled shoot? My tips are:

• Take time to think about your concept and create something different but realistic to your public. What does your client want? How does your ideal client picture her/his wedding? There are many ways that you can organize a wedding but you don’t want to sell to your client something that you don’t believe in or it’s unreal to your location. Among the possibilities that you have, get all your creativity out. Show everybody (specially your clients) the amazing and different things you can do. Make the details count and let your work shine from it.

• Look for professional suppliers whose work is aligned to yours. What does that mean? If necessary, invest financially in what will be essential to highlight your work and differentiate yourself from your competitors. This includes hiring, if necessary, professionals who will help you with this task. But, before funding anything, try to talk to those suppliers whose work you admire and see if they are willing to participate in this project with you. If any of them cannot help in exchange of promoting their own work, invest in the professional. To find out if it is worth inviting any professional, ask yourself one question: Would you hire that professional for your party? Would you hire this decorator, makeup artist, photographer, graphic designer, etc. for your event? If the answer is yes, contact that supplier. If the supplier buys your idea, perfect! If the supplier cannot exchange his work for marketing purposes but you want him to participate, invest the necessary amount.

• You don’t need to organize many editorials to show your service. You just need one excellent editorial to showcase your work and bring more and more costumers to you.

The pictures bellow are from my first styled shoot and I have to say it was amazing to be part of this team. I am truly grateful for our time together and what we achieved from it. You can find all the names of the team bellow the pictures.

Catering: Nicky Wilms (Taloor) – www.taloor.Be | Light & music: Christophe Hopchet (CH Sound & Light) | Make up & Hair: Steven Versées – https://www.stevenversees.be/ | Flowers: Charlotte Hello Honey WF | Photographer: Tamy Pimentel – https://tamypimentel.com/ | Masculine model: Charles De Meester | Wedding Gown: Nicole (The Dress) – https://www.thedress.be/ | Graphic Design: Kathleen Bols (Beau Jour) – https://www.beau-jour.events/ | Location: De Serre – https://de-serre.be/ | Styling & decoration: Maison Papillon| Aftermovie: Nele De Winter (De online Weddingacademie) – https://www.deonlineweddingacademie.be/ | Weddingplanner & co-styling: Sixtine Blondeel (Me & You) – https://www.me-and-you-weddings.be/