Sacramento Photographer's Disco and Drag shoot!

Two models surrouded by red and pink floral. One in a red ball gown the other in a pink suit

Y’all! Bucket list styled photoshoot here! Young Morgan, eyes wide open taking in the full wonder of RuPaul’s Drag Race, would pass out with excitement if she knew this photoshoot was in her future. But here I am, older, still in love with drag, and on the verge of passing out with excitement because I can finally share these images with you!

Before really diving deep into this styled shoot and why it is so amazing, let’s start with a little bit about why I love Drag so freaking much. Drag is this space in the performing arts world where we can all collectively shed the realistic and embrace our inner fabulousness! We can be as big and loud as we want! We can take up space, unapologetically.

Maybe that’s why this shoot feels so perfect and exciting; it takes up space! The feminine is told repeatedly to be smaller and take up as little space in this world as possible. But this shoot takes up space! It is BIG, loud and proud! Just like all of Drag!

What is a styled shoot?

A styled shoot is a collaboration between several vendors. We come together, usually around a concept (this one was disco and drag), to create a unique, often bold and big set to photograph. Each vendor gets to add their personal flair to the set, and the photographer gets to explore creative and different ways to frame, light and capture events.

Two models in red and pink dancing surrounded by red and pink flowers in a bright studio

Okay, but what’s the point other than making something pretty?

A lot of people ask me why vendors put styled shoots together. There are a couple reasons vendors love a good, styled shoot! First, we are creative people. We like to stretch our creative muscles sometimes. And although we LOVE the wedding and elopement trends of the season, sometimes we need to shake things up and make something totally different!

Second, how do you think the hottest new trends are born…styled shoots, y’all! These shoots give us the opportunity to look to the future of our industries, push the boundaries to find new and wonderful ways for you to celebrate your upcoming weddings, elopements, parties and events.

And third, it gives us beautiful content to share. Not every couple wants their wedding spread across Instagram! And that is 100% okay. But, in this world of social media, content is king! We need to have images to share that showcase our talents. If you’ve had to book a vendor in the past. I bet you picked them because you loved their Instagram posts, or photos on their websites. Styled shoots give us the chance to create beautiful content for the sole purpose of sharing with you!

How do I take what I see and make it a reality at my event?

So, you are looking at a styled shoot spread in your favorite bridal magazine or Instagram, your next question is definitely “how do I take what I see and love, and make it possible at my event”? This one is a little more nuanced. A lot of styled shoots are HUGE! These shoots of over-the-top details, and vibrant color pallets - just like our current Disco Drag shoot! That may have you wondering, how do you take these ideas and make them useable for my event? That all depends on you. With this shoot, I would look at the colors. Too many events stick to neutral tones, with this idea of “timelessness.” But that isn’t a rule friend! You can be bold AF. Who cares if you look back at photos and say, “Wow, that screams, 2022!“ It is, in fact 2022, document the true you, in the now! Play with color. Another thing you can take from this: wedding dresses don’t have to be white. There is an entire color wheel out there to play with. Red, blue, purple, orange, black, pink…just saying!

The other thing to pay attention to in styled shoots is floral design. Look at what Da ’Reen created here, the textures, the different floral. This isn’t your classic look, it’s edgy. You can 100% recreate this look in your budget, you just have to hire the right person (cough, cough, Daisy Head Florals)

I also like to find rentals via styled shoots! For example, DISCO BALLS! Disco balls are the next huge thing. You will see them at weddings, elopements, parties, graduations, pretty much everywhere. Disco balls are really expensive, and to create a cohesive look you need a lot, in different sizes! So instead of blowing your budget on buying disco balls you have to then store…look to the styled shoot pages for rental companies featuring their expansive disco collections.

And the most important thing you can find by cruising a styled shoot is the VENDOR TEAM! These shoots showcase our true creative colors, our vibes as creators, and the teams we like to work with. I promise, if you book the florist, photographer, baker and rentals from a team listed on a styled shoot I am a part of, we absolutely love working together. I get to pick who I create with on styled shoots. That means the talented creatives you see on styled shoots with me, are people I work with often, and joyfully. If you book all the people you see listed on your favorite styled shoot, your event will be flawless. Kinda like this shoot…and this team!