Behind the Scenes: My First Western Chic Styled Shoot

Written By Shalyn O'Neal

This past November, I had the privilege of participating in my very first styled shoot! As part of being featured in Metropolitan Weddings magazine, I had the chance to collaborate with some of the most talented vendors in the industry, and let me tell you, it was an experience I’ll never forget.

 
 

But before we dive into the details, let me be honest for a second—I was nervous. Styled shoots are so different from wedding days. Instead of simply capturing the story as it unfolds, I had to make intentional decisions about what to focus on. Do I highlight the details or the vendors? The model or the gown? Should every shot look like it belongs in a magazine? It was a lot to figure out, but thankfully, I was surrounded by a team of absolute pros who made it all come together beautifully.

The theme? Western Chic. It was bold, unique, and so much fun to shoot. From the textured florals to the carefully curated décor, every element added to the stunning vibe. And the lighting? Absolute perfection. It felt like every shot fell into place effortlessly (even if I was second-guessing myself the whole time).

This shoot was not only a creative challenge but also a chance to learn and grow. Working alongside such an experienced team was equal parts inspiring and humbling. By the end of the day, I was already dreaming about the next styled shoot—lucky for me, one’s coming up this summer!

A huge thank you to this amazing vendor team for making my first styled shoot such a memorable experience. You all made it so easy to step into something new, and I’m so grateful for the chance to work with you!

 
 
Shalyn O'Neal
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