I’ve been wanting to do a styled shoot for a very long time now, but it wasn’t until I went to the United Conference that I finally got the courage to do it. One of the sessions inspired me to be brave and ask the questions and just go for it!

Adam and I are always awkward about Valentine’s Day. Typically we ask each other – about a week, or even a few days, beforehand, “Are we going to do anything for Valentine’s Day?” or “Should I be getting you something for Valentine’s Day?” I don’t know why, but neither of us attach much meaning or importance to the holiday…it has always seemed contrived or forced. We much prefer to celebrate our anniversary, instead of Valentine’s Day, in a way that is special and unique to just us. So I got this idea for a Valentine’s Day shoot that, instead of being centered on the commercial side of a couple’s relationship, focused on the REAL romance. And I could think of nothing more romantic and real than a good old-fashioned love letter, hand-written and sent in the mail with hope for the future and dedication in the present. Once I had the idea for love letters, then the rest came naturally: a vintage-inspired woodsy scene in my very own backyard. My vision of a table made straight out of a wood log was brought to life by my amazing husband. I also told him I would like an altar, but didn’t know how I wanted it to come together yet. He was the one who ended up deciding to make our altar look very natural, with two thin logs for the sides and a large branch across the top.

I learned so many wonderful things from doing this shoot! From the beginning, I had been very surprised with the level of interest and excitement that the vendors exhibited in working with me. One of the major hesitations I had always had about doing a styled shoot was that I was worried other people would think I was taking advantage of them, or would not think that our exchange of services would be fair. So I tried my hardest from the very beginning to try to keep everyone on the same page and same level of expectations. It didn’t always work out perfectly – of course we had hiccups and miscommunication along the way. This was so good for me! It stretched me and showed me I was capable of taking charge and making things happen. Here are the top four things I learned from this styled shoot.

1) Communication is key! There were a few instances where I had not communicated my desires very well to models/vendors. One particular situation ended up with me telling myself, “This is not a problem I should try to fix over text or email. This is a phone call problem.” I never like confrontation – who does? – but I also knew that I had to be a grown up, I had to do the right thing, even if it was the hard thing. And although I ended up crying on the phone during this particular conversation (one of the main reasons I didn’t want to make the phone call instead of sending an email where my emotions won’t be visible), at least I felt like I had handled the situation in a mature, reasonable manner and was able to communicate and sort through both of our concerns so much more transparently than with a text or email could ever do. This situation taught me that I need to be even more open and clear than I thought I had been, to ensure everyone is on the same page. When working with such a large group of people with so many needs, time, and talents going into one, unified goal, I don’t think there is such a thing as “too much” communication, even if it feels like you are repeating yourself. Different people learn and grasp information in different ways, so I tried to make sure I was discussing my ideas in different channels – through email, texts, pinterest boards, facebook group, phone calls, and in-person meetings.

2) Things will go wrong. Despite having tried very hard to keep communication open, things still went wrong. Things will always go wrong – sometimes we just have no control over schedule changes, sicknesses, dress mishaps, and other situations coming up. It was frustrating at times, but it was also a great lesson in learning to roll with what’s given to me, while still maintaining control and not freaking out! I had to learn to problem solve, and, at times, not get my feelings hurt. I knew that with taking a risk, I was putting myself on the line – but I also knew that taking risks is the only way to get results. I remember going to bed one night a few days before the shoot, feeling completely incapable of everything I had signed up for. That day I had had people tell me what I was asking of them wasn’t worth their time, and had others tell me I was “taking on a lot.” I felt unworthy of the dream I had drummed up for this shoot. But, the next morning, after a good cry and a good night’s rest, I put on my big girl pants once again, and pressed forward.

Photo above by FreckleBlossom Photography

3) There is value in collaborating. I started with a nugget of an idea, and it was only through the help and vision of everyone else that it was able to become what it did. I can’t tell you how many picture messages, texts, pinterest photos, and facebook messages were passed around between everyone before we had all come to the same vision. And in the end, it all was SO much more amazing than I could ever have envisioned on my own. Sarah reigned me in when I got carried away, making sure I stuck to the purpose of our shoot, Tiffany was realistic with me about what types of floral would even be possible at this time of year! I also was absolutely thrilled to have her at the shoot throughout the entire duration of us shooting; she was able to demonstrate the proper way to put a boutonniere on, how to have the bride hold the bouquet according to the way the florist designed it, and the types of images photographers should be getting for their florist. Tracy blew my mind with an extravagant dessert table that I wasn’t even prepared for, Katie’s slightest tweaks and touches of design and the perfect placement was an attention to detail that I have never, and will never, be able to claim as my own talent. Katie Ackley kept me in line with the timing of hair and makeup, and suggested I bring in another person to do hair – I am so glad she did, or else our timeline would have been skewed. Becca was flexible and quick, exactly what I needed from her. And Corbett’s invitation, menu, and table runner design was impeccable and just the perfect touch for the overall theme of the shoot. This list does not even begin to cover how wonderful it was to have 13 other photographers there, coming up with poses, styling the details, and giving suggestions for lighting and location ideas. I loved hearing everyone’s input, and know that there is no other way this shoot would have turned out as wonderful as it did if it weren’t for the collaboration of everyone’s vision, ideas, and suggestions.

Photo above by FreckleBlossom Photography

4) People want connection. My favorite part of this whole shoot was not the beautiful images I was able to capture, as much as I DO love everything I shot. But what I loved most was having these people, their talents and their varying personalities, come together at my house and create something as a unified team. I loved learning more about where everyone was in their business, why they had chosen to come to this shoot, what they hoped to do with the images and the future of their businesses. After the sun went down and the models had gotten out of their dress and tux, we sat around in my tiny living room, squished together tightly, eating pizza and talking about some of the difficulties we were having within our businesses. We discussed different ways to serve our clients, how to get booked more, and how to balance life with work. We were all there to connect, to not feel alone in this industry or in our lives. It was a wonderful thing, and even though I had had a dang stressful week, not just with the shoot but with personal things going on, too, I was so glad to have done this. I went to bed that night – unlike the night previously – happy. Completely exhausted, but also completely thrilled and ready to do it again….after a few months to recooperate! 🙂