Styled wedding shoots: what they're for, and the trap of "perfect" photos

Couples often send me photos they love: "We'd like this." And very often, those images come from a styled shoot. They're often beautiful photos, made by talented professionals. What matters is knowing the conditions they were created in, so you can look at them with the right eyes. Let me explain.

All the photos in this article come from our styled shoot at Domaine Jolibois, in the Alpilles. I wanted it to be different from usual styled shoots: a full day, with a real timeline, a real ceremony and real guests. I'll tell you why below.

What is a styled shoot?

It's a staged wedding. Vendors (a venue, a decorator, a florist, a dress designer, a hairstylist, a makeup artist, a photographer, a videographer…) come together around one idea, a theme, a color palette. A couple, often models or lovers happy to play along, takes the place of the newlyweds.

Most of the time, there's the bride or the couple, a couple session and a few group photos. Not always a real ceremony, guests or a timeline for the day. It's also called an "inspiration shoot" or an "editorial shoot".

What is it for?

• Giving couples ideas: a colorful table, a flower arch, stationery, a way to wear a veil. It's a source of inspiration, like a magazine.
• Showing each vendor's craft: the florist shows her arrangements, the designer her dress, the venue its most beautiful spots.
• Daring things: bold colors, original staging, ideas couples don't always dare on their wedding day.
• Building connections between vendors: we learn to work together, which is precious for the weddings that follow.

How it works

A few weeks before, we agree on the idea and on a shared brief: the mood, the colors, the textures, everyone's role. On the day, everyone gives their best work, in the same place, at the same time.

On many shoots, you can take your time for each scene and choose the ideal light. Yes, you can create stunning photos in a few hours with perfect light: that's real craft. It's simply a different setting from a wedding day. And afterwards, everyone commits to crediting all the other vendors whenever they share the images.

What changes compared to a real wedding

It's not the quality of the images that changes, it's the context:

• Time: on a classic styled shoot, several hours can go into a few scenes. On your wedding day, couple portraits last around 30 to 45 minutes, often during the cocktail hour.
• Light: on a shoot, you can choose the time of each scene. A real wedding has its schedule: a 3 pm ceremony in full summer sun can't be moved.
• The setting: on a shoot, everything is often arranged for the photo. On the day, there are your guests, glasses on the table, caterers walking by, and that's life.
• Emotions: on the day, a father's tears and the best friends' giggles are yours. That's what makes every wedding unique.

Our shoot at Domaine Jolibois: designed like a real wedding

I organized this shoot with Mathilde, from Domaine Jolibois. Together, we chose the vendors, and I built the timeline of a real wedding day: getting ready, a real outdoor ceremony with an officiant and real guests, the ceremony exit, the cocktail hour, couple portraits, dinner and the party. We tried to stick to the schedule, just like on a real wedding day.

What I wanted:

• To create images of an off-season wedding, at the start of winter, to show you can marry in Provence outside summer and still have beautiful photos.
• To meet new vendors, or work again with others, so I can recommend trusted, high-quality professionals to you.
• To bring to life what's been on my mind, with color and joy, while staying true to the images you can really receive on your wedding day.

That's why these photos look like wedding coverage, not a posed session. I share every detail in the behind the scenes of our shoot at Domaine Jolibois, and you'll find my weddings on my wedding page.

How to look at a photographer's portfolio

A styled shoot is a great way to discover a photographer's world. To see how they tell the story of a whole day, look at their weddings too.

• Ask for one or two full galleries, from start to finish, not just the best images.
• Look at the harder moments: a ceremony in harsh sun, group photos, the party in low light. That's where experience shows.
• Read the captions: many photographers mention "styled shoot". If it isn't written, simply ask.

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