A few words on doing styled shoots
What is a styled shoot?
A group of suppliers collaborate to create a mock wedding. We all donate our time, skills and resources for free in return for professional images which we can use as long as everyone is properly credited. It’s a chance to do something fresh, creative and fun and to work alongside each other on a project we can all be proud of.
Often it’s quite a commitment, as we are asked to create something completely bespoke to fit a brief. As a stationer, this means researching, sketching, designing, printing and crafting. All these elements take time and cost money, so it’s essential to choose the right styled shoots and put effort into particular projects.
My policy on inclusivity
I get asked to provide stationery for quite a few styled shoots, so I’m writing this in case you’re a fellow wedding supplier and you’d like to collaborate. The wedding industry has so many examples of able-bodied, young, slim, cis, heterosexual people and relationships. These people and their love are beautiful and valid.
Equally valid and beautiful are the people and relationships who don’t fit in to those categories. The difference is, we don’t see them as often.
If we are making images, whether it’s to create aspirational style, to flex our creative muscles or to attract our ideal clients - Let us make images together which embrace diversity and elevate the representation of those who otherwise might not be seen or celebrated as often as others.
Therefore, if your shoot isn’t going to be inclusive, whether that be in the models you show, or suppliers behind the scenes, then I will politely decline to collaborate and wish you all the best! No hate, it just ain’t for me!
Some other things to note
I will only participate in styled shoots going forward if
Any couple modelling are the sexuality they’re being portrayed as (no pretenders for the sake of virtue-signalling!)
The couple who are modelling are actually together. Not just two random folk who met that day!
The models can interact with the stationery, and I can get images back that I can use across Instagram and my website.
The stationery colours are not madly altered
If it’s a workshop that you’re charging people to come to and thus you’re making money from my stationery as content, I’d like at least my base costs to be covered, please! This just means supplies, printing and postage.
If you do wanna create some badass, stunning, creative and sincere styled shoots together and embrace the opportunity to make sure everyone feels welcome, then I’ll deffo be there - With Bells On!
We are able to create whatever content we like in these shoots, so why shouldn’t it be beautiful, kind and celebrate all of us? LET’S WORK TOGETHER IF YOU AGREE 👍
No hate from me, just saying it how I see it.
Love, Carly ✌️
Image by Caroline Opacic Photography