STYLED CO | grow your portfolio

Styled Co is a series of monthly styled shoots created for you to come create, play, grow your portfolio, and enhance your skills and creative eye. I created this project in 2018 so that creatives like yourself could have a shoot to look forward to each month to grow their content and improve on their techniques.
The shoots are created for photographers/videographers at any level of expertise, from beginner to professional.
It's a great way to keep your content fresh or fuel your creativity. Styled Co is a fun & safe environment aimed to inspire your creativity & encourage you to keep growing, keep shooting, & keep your business/passion thriving!

GROW YOUR PORTFOLIO

I'm always teaching how important it is to just keep shooting .

Keep practicing, keep trying new things, and keep building your content. You'll see the most growth in yourself and in your clientele when you're consistently shooting, niching down your style, and expanding your skill & portfolio.

GAIN EXPERIENCE

Practice makes perfect - but there's no such thing as perfection in photography. There's simply having more experience which creates more talent + more confidence.

With each shoot, you'll get more and more comfortable directing, finding new angles, and coming up with new prompts to create the magic you want -

& ultimately attracting your dream client .

IMPROVE ON NEW TECHNIQUES

It’s not required, but I encourage my membership-attendees to set goals with each shoot. A goal to practice a specific skill or technique that you can work on during that month's shoot.

For example : You could focus on posing cues and getting comfortable with direction. Or you could practice shooting in direct sunlight, practicing double exposure images, or trying your hand at film. It's important to always be learning + growing your craft, so this'll be a helpful time to do so!

LEARN HOW I DIRECT MY COUPLES

During each shoot, you'll get to watch me work with the couple(s) first. I'll direct and guide them, showing you how I get real + authentic emotions out of my couples.

After I direct the couple, each attendee will have plenty of one on one time with the couple for your own posing, directing, shooting, and playing. I’m available for questions, ideas, and any help needed.

FAQ :

Will you be answering all of our questions during the styled shoots?
I’m an open book, but during these sessions, I won’t necessarily be available for Q+A. I'll be there helping with camera settings, directing the couple, and anything regarding the couple/shoot. This isn't so much as a mentor session as it is a space for you to come & play/practice + grow your content. You may add on a Q+A/editing mentorship hour for $400.

Why are spots limited?
I want to keep this intimate so there's not a ton of people posting + sharing the same shot as you and vice versa. This will keep your shots more exclusive + unique.

Can I sell my spot to someone else?
Yes. You may also let me know you're trying to sell it and I can reach out to the waitlist.

Is there a waitlist to book a spot?
Yes. The waitlist will be contacted in the order of inquiries when someone can't make it.

Does my 3 session membership have to be consecutive or can I use them whenever I want?
You can choose any month you'd like that's available. If you leave any blank, you forfeit that spot within your membership. If you need to change your date, just email me!

What does "lightly styled" mean?
Some shoots will have more 'styling' than others. Wedding + Bridal type of sessions will be more styled to fit the setting - i.e. florals, wedding dress, jewelry, etc (thus the price increase)
Lifestyle / Portrait sessions will be less styled and just directed how a normal engagement session goes - fully natural.
In-home sessions might include some light styling with furniture/details to fit the vibe.
Hair + Makeup will be provided when available.

WHAT PAST ATTENDEES SAY ABOUT STYLED CO :

Attending Styled Co was one of the best decisions I have made for my business yet. Seeing Melissa work is incredible & creating beautiful images with other photographers is such a cool experience. The investment is 100% worth it, and I plan on telling all my photography friends about how great it is. I learned so much about posing/creating moments with models & how to make the most out of a small space. You won’t regret attending. - Crystal Shaw
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Melissa helped take my photography to the next step!! She created and lead an environment that really allowed my creative side to take over! I can’t thank her enough! xoxox - Emily Doss
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Styled Co is a dream come true. Melissa is a magician; She's creative and authentic. Styled co was literally like stepping into one of Melissa's unique / magical photos. It stretched me creatively and pushed me in ways I just can't explain. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to attend these! - Gina Nungesser
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Melissa is the best mentor I could ask for & her #mmxSTYLEDCO was a game changer. Being new to the photography world & walking into an in home session (my first one ever) with many experienced photographers was very intimidating at first. The other girls were very encouraging & Melissa (as always) got me out of my comfort zone. I couldn't have asked for a better styled shoot to help build my content & learn from some amazing girl bosses. I will for sure be back to many other sessions with Melissa. - Brittani Mobley
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Styled Co was incredible! It pushed me out of my comfort zone, gave me an opportunity to try new things with the way I shoot, and was a rad way to connect with other crazy talented people. I loved the chill environment and how everyone was encouraging each other the whole time. I felt like my creativity was revived and given a major boost, and that was so refreshing! Melissa is so talented and generous with her knowledge, and I'm so thankful she made this happen!! - Payton Wilson
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Styled Co was absolutely amazing! I highly recommend attending one if you get the chance! Melissa is a creative genius. She really pushed all of us to think outside of the box and do different things, especially when the models are so killer you can truly focus on creating rather than having to direct a ton. I loved that we got a chance to make our own moments in small groups. Not only was it nice to not have to try and shoot around a bunch of other people, but it allowed us to have diversity and create with the couple based on our personal brand! #mmxSTYLEDCO is so unique and a great way to build a portfolio of clients you want! Can’t wait for more sessions! - Katie Carlson
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Melissa is a SAINT for starting this. Like for real. EVERYONE must attend one of these styledco shoots! Seriously so much fun and getting to work along side some of the best in the biz you will leave feeling so inspired + ready to get ittttt. Cannot say enough good about MMXSTYLEDCO! - Brad Searcy
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Styled Co was GREAT for my business and meeting other photographers. I had such a great time, and it was super neat seeing Melissa do her work, and how she styled everything! It was so cool working under someone who you look up to! Worth EVERY PENNY. - Kelsey Terry