5 keys...

The teams here at The Open Trunk Workshop have seen a lot of styled shoot collaborations.  Collectively, we have worked on hundreds of shoots, and with many vendors in the industry.  

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~image by Roz Edge Photography ~​​

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When we come together to create one of our collaborative styled shoots for the workshop, we are able to build brilliant teams using these 5 Keys!

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 1. ​Get out there and get to know your local wedding industry vendors!!! The more people you work with, the greater network you have to choose vendors from for a particular collaboration.

Chelsea of Fern +Frond Floral Design in Kamloops, BC, was the florist for our very first workshop when she lived in Calgary. 
We have collaborated with Chelsea
on many projects, weddings & styled shoots and knew when we
took the retreat to BC, she
would be our first call!


~ image by Alexadra Kurta Photography ~

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2.  Exposure is not a dirty word! So long as everyone is on the same page, and every member of the collaboration team is getting what they ask for or need to make it a useful tool for their business!  Exposure can be a great thing!!!  

Here we have a perfect example of Exposure, and how it can be so good!  The images taken at one of our Retreats ended up in the pages of Confetti Wedding Magazine. These features are not guaranteed...so when we get to email our vendor team to let them know they got a PRINT feature...that exposure means the world to a small business. 

​ ~ images by Chic & Grace Studios ~
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3. Choose the right vendors for
the right job!  This is so important! 

Here we asked a stationer to create a watercolour suite for the style we wanted.  Kelly of Lovesky Design was such a trooper, and went above and beyond to create something so beautiful for us...even though it wasn't her style!  She was so amazing, and even asked another local stationer, Debbie, of Debbie Wong Designs,  to  help her create the watercolour for the design.  The end result was perfect.   AND, we learned a valuable lesson...ask the right vendor for the job...it avoids undue frustration to the vendor!

~ image by Grey Lily Photography ~

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4. Share the excitement of your design with the team.  Get everyone involved and allow them to let their art shine as well.  When you work together, the sky is the limit.

Here we have a team that worked on a  a table design challenge together.  None of them have worked together before this day!!  They got excited, shared their ideas, each brought their own personality to the team, and the table design was incredible!!

Robin, of Avenue Beauty;
Kimberly of Chic & Grace Studios;
Clarissa of Foxtail Floral Design

~ image by Grey Lily Photography ~
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5. Be super clear with expectations for a collaboration.  Transparency is always the best rule!

Here we have a large collaboration, using a lot of vendors!  Tables, lighting, table wares, seating...all of it was a mix from multiple rental companies! In this particular instance, none of those vendors minded sharing the stage with the others...it was a bigger picture we were coming together to create.  In a typical styled shoot collaboration, it is key to be transparent with your vendor team who is bringing what to the shoot...ALWAYS be clear
about that! 

~image by Roz Edge Photography ~​

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BONUS:
​There will be bumps in the road.  Learn from them.  Move forward, and keep creating!  I learn more about what to do and what not to do at every single workshop we have hosted.  Our goal is to build the community we work in!
A stronger community, is a stronger team!
​~ images by Chic & Grace Studios ~

​​​thank you friends
~H