MY VERY FIRST STYLED SHOOT: A THREE-HOUR DRIVE AND THE BEGINNING OF MY WEDDING DREAMS
Every photographer has a moment when things start to feel real, and for me, this styled shoot was that moment.
This was my very first styled shoot, and my mom and I drove almost three hours to Sulphur, Louisiana to make it happen. I didn’t fully know what to expect going into it, but I knew one thing for sure: I wanted to learn, grow, and step outside my comfort zone, especially when it came to the wedding industry.
The shoot included five total setups:
• Three bridal models
• Two couples
Each setup was completely different, giving me the chance to practice posing, storytelling, and capturing intentional details, all things that are so important in wedding photography. From elegant bridal moments to romantic couple shots, every scene pushed me creatively in the best way.
One of the most special parts of this day was having my mom there with me. She brought along the camera we had gifted her for Christmas, and this shoot gave her the chance to practice shooting alongside me. It felt symbolic, like a small preview of a future where she might second shoot a wedding with me someday. That thought alone made the experience even more meaningful.
This styled shoot taught me so much: how to work efficiently through multiple setups, how to direct couples with confidence, and how much I truly love the pace and creativity of wedding-related sessions. It was my first real step into the wedding world, and it confirmed what I had been feeling all along.
Sometimes growth looks like a long drive, a full memory card, and coming home completely exhausted, but inspired beyond words. This shoot will always be one I look back on as the moment I dipped my toes into weddings and realized I wanted more.
