If you are a fairly new photographer or trying to boost your portfolio, styled shoots are the way to go!

Do you necessarily NEED to participate in a styled shoot? No, You can use friends who are willing to get creative with you or shoot a bunch for free or discounted. However, I feel styled shoots are absolutely worth the investment.

I did not even know styled shoots were a thing, and if they were a thing when I was dabbling into photography 10 years ago maybe I would be further along on my journey, which is why I am sharing this tip with you!

I did go to a photography retreat where there were styled families but I thought they were just there for educational purposes (which in a way they were) but I did not realize it at that moment that these type of gatherings exist. Until I moved to FL and I joined this photography group. My first styled shoot was at a skate styled shoot.

Totally out of my comfort zone.

But oh my gosh so much freaking fun!!! I met so many amazing people from models and other aspiring photographers. It was really cool to work with other professionals and to see how they worked. Working with models makes posing so much easier because they are used to being posed and if you have an idea of a photograph they most likely will be able to make it come to life.

You are also given only so many minutes with each model so you need to make your time count. Which is important in completing photo shoots. They make you critically think about all that you need to accomplish before you leave your clients.