The Mistakes Filmmakers Make at Styled Shoots

Styled shoots are something that we can attribute much of our success to. But it’s not about just showing up and getting pretty footage, it’s about how you leverage your work to get you more. That’s what we will break down in this newsletter

(4-minute read)

We hope you’ve had a good week, Runaways.

Last year, we got invited to something we’d never done before…

An 8-day styled shoot onboard a Mediterranean cruise ship hosted by Dryden and Emily Glod from Art of Luxury 😅

We didn’t have to think twice before saying yes. By the end of it, we knew we’d have enough content to fill our entire website and Instagram if we wanted to.

But before we even packed our bags, we had one goal:

Make it count.

Because let’s be real—just going to a styled shoot doesn’t do anything for your business.

Odds are, you’ve been to one before. The footage looked nice, but… did it actually help your business?

That’s the difference between attending a styled shoot and leveraging one.

We just dropped a new YouTube video breaking down our entire cruise experience—every day, every shoot, and the real results that came from it.

But if you can’t turn the volume up right now, here’s The Rundown on how to actually make a styled shoot work for you.

1. Show Off the Location

This one cannot be stressed enough—the location is a character of its own.

You book a styled shoot to get the kind of content that will attract the real weddings you want.

So if you dream of filming destination weddings, why would you shoot the entire thing on a 70-200mm lens and crop out the scenery?

If you want couples to see you as a destination filmmaker, show the destination.

And here’s the best part—you don’t even have to go abroad.

We’ve been to styled shoots just within our own city that looked like a different country. The right angles, the right light, and suddenly, you have portfolio work that makes planners and brides say, “Oh yeah, they shoot destination weddings.”

So bring that wide lens. Grab those establishing shots. And make sure your portfolio shows the kind of weddings you want to book.

2. Find Your Voice

Not going to lie, this one is tough.

But it’s crucial, especially for all you introverts out there (like me).

A styled shoot isn’t just for your portfolio—it’s for practice.

Learn how to direct. Find your rhythm. Figure out what works for you. Some filmmakers are loud and directive, others barely say a word and let things unfold naturally.

Neither is right or wrong. But confidence? That’s everything.

Couples and planners want someone who knows what they’re doing. If you can’t confidently direct during a styled shoot, how are you going to do it in the chaos of a real wedding day?

There have been times where I had a shot in my head, knew exactly how I wanted it to look… and then completely butchered my directions.

I’d rather that happen at a styled shoot than on a wedding day.

If this is something you struggle with, check out Charisma on Command on YouTube. Solid stuff.

And heads up, Jake and I are launching a coaching program this summer that will help a ton with this. More on that soon.

3. Try Out New Techniques

This is the golden nugget.

If you’re anything like us, you have a ton of saved Instagram Reels for inspiration—but you never actually use them.

A styled shoot is your chance.

Before you go, scroll through those reels. Take notes. Ask yourself—what do I love about these shots?

The music? The composition? The storytelling?

Once you know, set out to make it happen. Try that risky transition. Play with motion blur. Experiment with light leaks or double exposures.

Worst case? It doesn’t work, and you scrap the shot.

Best case? You create something that changes the way you film weddings forever.

One of our most famous shots—what we now call “The Runaway Bride”—came from a styled shoot hosted by Emma K in Malibu.

That shot? It’s now a staple in every wedding we shoot. It’s in our ads, our products, and our branding.

It started as an experiment.

So take risks. Push yourself. We’re begging you.

Talk soon,

— Nate

P.S. Got a styled shoot coming up? Reply to this email and tell me what you’re planning—I’d love to hear what you’re experimenting with.