Styling a simple floral photo shoot

I sometimes get asked about styled shoots compared with more natural shoots. A styled shoot has a plan and a story behind it. Below is a good example of an easy to acheive styled shoot. Helen loves florals and colour. We chatted beforehand about using her Mother in laws garden and I was very keen as I also love flowers. I left the clothing choices to Helen and we decided to add in the basket and some flowers from the garden handpicked by Matilda which made for some nice shots. I also chose the window sill to sit the children on so that I could shoot through some flowers that were in pots to give a painterly look. I was delighted to see little Izzy’s trousers were also floral and all in the right colours. Helen styled her own wedding a few years ago really brilliantly so I didn’t need to have any input for this shoot other than what angles, lenses and where I positioned the children and basket. The girls were relaxed as they were in familiar surroundings and we had already played some games when I arrived. I liked the basket weave chair and decided to add that in which Helen really liked. I also added the wooden cake and Helen used the letters from her wedding just married sign again the colours fitted perfectly. I loved the blue door for some shots and with the green M for Matilda it was just right.

The vision for this story was soft, pretty, colourful and floral and by adding a few little props we achieved a lovely editorial/magazine look. The story came together with the use of props, the background and clothing choices. I was also spoiled to be able to use this lovely garden. I do have many props and will also use yours and suggest some ideas. A non styled shoot will not have any props unless we find something along the way. I will use whatever backgrounds are available that will work with your clothing choices which I ask to be coordinated. The emphasis is always on play.