Take Your Photoshoot Styling Skills to the Next Level

Having a professional stylist whose work is like magic, and who can make every photoshoot set look like it came out of a commercial or a movie set is amazing. However, knowing how to style a set yourself can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. Besides, not every photoshoot will have enough funds to hire a professional, and that’s where you should be able to step in.

Styling a photoshoot means selecting aesthetically pleasing wardrobe, props, environment and backdrops - and combining them into a highly marketable stock photo. In this article, we’ll share 10 pro tips on photoshoot styling any stock photographer can apply.

Have a Styling Toolbox

Hit the arts and crafts store, purchase vintage accessories, small objects you can easily carry to the scene and that could make your scene pop. If you’re shooting mostly flatlays, this toolbox will include a set of different backdrops, scented candles, fake flower petals, maybe even glitter. 

What you’ll have in this toolbox really depends on what type of stock photos you’re usually taking. If you’re shooting an interior, it’s a good idea to have a couple of throw pillows or vases on hand. If travel stock photography is your business, keep a map, a hat and a passport on hand. Your audience and potential buyers must be on your mind at all times, think like them, what they would like to see in the image, and you won’t make any mistakes. 

Follow Your Theme

In order for a stock photoshoot to be successful it must have a theme, and you must stick with it with every single piece that’s in your photo. When you start creating your vision board mark down all the colors, props and other elements which will be included in your photos. These elements should be cohesive and they should complement each other. Otherwise, your potential buyers might turn around because of the “messy” look.

Layer Your Photos

Adding elements in front, or behind your main subject will give your photos more depth and make them more interesting and visually appealing. As mentioned in the previous section, the elements must be complementary so they don’t take the spotlight away from your main subject. Don’t forget to set up the aperture while you’re shooting to get an extra layer by blurring the less important elements.

Use Appropriate Backdrops

Your subject needs to stand out from the background. It’s okay for it to stand out, but you should make sure that it isn’t overpowering your model. Solid backgrounds work great with images that must be sleek, you can use wood to give your image a rustic feeling. You can use linens, rugs, walls - get creative! Especially if you’re doing flatlays, there are many surfaces around your house or studio that can make a perfect backdrop.

Avoid Logos

We can’t seem to stress this enough - logos in the images are causing copyright issues, so no agency will accept them. You should aim not to have any logos within your frame. However, when you’re shooting on the street or in a busy area - you probably won’t be able to cut them out on the spot. In any case, you should prepare for photoshopping them out once you get to the post production.

Choose Colors in Advance

As important as the theme is to your photoshoot, the color palette matters to. Deciding on it in advance will give you enough time to prepare any props or equipment you might need. You can combine the colors in any way you seem fit, but make sure they fit the message and the story of your stock photos.

Check Your Lights

Warmer lights tend to evoke a feeling of coziness, while getting light from the one angle and strengthening the shadows gives your images a more dramatic look. Play around with different types of lighting to evoke different emotions in the buyers. Whatever you do with it - it should enhance and compliment the general message of the photoshoot.

What About Product Photography?

Dynamic product images usually have wallpapers or backdrops which make them stand out. You can play around with multicolored backdrops, or use ordinary objects which fit in with your products. For example, if you’re shooting bath products - feel free to throw some towels or even a rubber duck in the photo. It’ll help you convey your message in a clearer way.

Analyzing your product’s shape and colors will help you think of more creative ways to style the photoshoot. Also, consult with your team, or if you’re working at home - with your housemates. Ask them what it is that they feel when they think about this particular product, how are they using it. It’s a great way to spark styling ideas.

Sometimes Less is More

Well, most of the time. Other elements do give your stock photos more layers, and a more interesting look. Yet, you must know what’s enough. Too many elements are distracting, no matter how good they fit into your photoshoot’s story. Our advice is to just start with the subject. If it’s a product, do a plain white background, and start adding elements one by one until you get the perfect setup.

Get Creative

Basically, what we want to say here is fake it. Food photographers will tell you best - many foods you see in stock photos aren’t real. For example, ice cream is usually made out of cornstarch and powdered sugar. And for a good reason. Ice cream melts easily, especially when you have all the lights on it. 

This tip doesn’t have to be applied to food photography only. You can use pieces of cloth or linen to create more colorful backgrounds, or to give your images the pop they were missing.