Styled Shoots, Soul & Strategy
- SG Photography
- May 28
- 7 min read
How I turned visions into photographs—and what five years of creative shoots have taught me about storytelling, intention, and art.
When I first started photography, I didn’t just want to take pictures. My brain works in visuals. A song lyric, a flicker of light, a color combination, or an emotional shift—those are the things that spark images in my head like scenes from a film. Once I see them, I have to make them real. That’s where styled shoots came in.They became my outlet. My strategy. My signature. And over time, they became the heart of SG Photography. They were never about being trendy or flashy. They were about creating something artistic and meaningful. Designing the look, finding the perfect outfit, working with hair and makeup artists I trust—it all became this process that made me fall in love with storytelling through photography.
Where My Shoots Come From
Styled shoots come from all over the place—sometimes it’s a line in a song that resonates. Sometimes it’s a vintage movie or a vibe I can’t stop thinking about. And sometimes it’s a feeling I don’t have the words for, so I create it visually instead. Styled shoots gave me space to experiment, dream, and grow. They helped me build a brand that didn’t look like everyone else’s. In my first year of business, they were the spark that helped SG Photography stand out. People started noticing. Not just because the photos were different, but because they felt different. They had story. Energy. Soul.
And beyond the business impact—they gave me a place to pour everything I couldn’t always say out loud. Most of my shoots are designed around my rep team. They’re the muses I plan with in mind, and they’ve brought so many of my wild visions to life over the years. But every once in a while, a concept calls for something more mature, and I’ll post a model call to bring in adults or non-reps to fit the look.
These shoots are more than just fun content—they were how I built my business.
In my first year, I poured everything into them. And because the content I was creating didn’t look like what everyone else was doing, people started noticing. I became known for them. It was different. It stood out. And beyond the growth? It gave me creative freedom when I needed it most.
The Process (in My Chaos-Brain Way)
Every shoot starts with the concept. That vision in my head. Once I have the idea, I:
Start location scouting based on the mood and lighting
Build a vision board (Canva is my love language)
Search for wardrobe pieces that match the aesthetic
Collaborate with hair/makeup if needed
And then... bring it to life
Sometimes I know exactly what I want. Other times, it shifts as I build it. But the root is always the same—create something that feels like art.
The Deeper Side
Some of my styled shoots carry deeper messages—things I wanted to say without saying them out loud. That’s the beauty of visual storytelling. Sometimes, the images can speak the truth that words can’t.
And maybe that’s what makes these sessions so personal for me. They’re not just marketing. They’re not just pretty pictures. They’re little pieces of who I am, stitched together in color, light, and fabric. Some of my styled shoots have been deeply personal—visual ways to process emotions, seasons, or transitions I was going through. Others are deeply emotional—a quiet way to speak what I couldn’t find words for. Others were inspired by pure fun, aesthetic love, or a creative friend’s vision that I got to help bring to life. No matter what sparked them, each one has left a mark on me. And a few have turned into something even bigger than I imagined. Some styled shoots are purely creative expression.
Some are pure magic. Others are medicine. But all of them are part of the story.
The Hocus Pocus Series: My Longest Running Creative Tradition
Since 2019, I’ve done a Hocus Pocus-inspired shoot every single year.
But it’s never been just a costume shoot. It’s been a concept series—asking, “What would the Sanderson Sisters look like if they were alive in different decades?" Each year, we pick a different era. It started as a fun Halloween creative… but became a tradition I love. A piece of SG’s identity. And every year, we level it up:
2019: The original. We used Halloween store costumes, dyed Presley’s hair red, and just had fun. There’s a photo of the girls chasing a kid down the walking path that I’ll never forget. It was pure magic.
2020: “If the Sanderson Sisters were on the cover of Vogue.” High-fashion, editorial glam. We shot in Galveston at the Moody Mansion and the old cemetery.
Class of 2021 Senior Reps: Morgan Mayo, Emma Williams and Kendall Smith 2021: Our first year in Salem. We went early 1900s—corsets, soft lace, and shot at the actual village they filmed the intro at and at Old Burying Point Cemetery (also known as Charter Street Cemetery) in Salem.
It’s one of the oldest cemeteries in the U.S., dating back to 1637.
Located on Charter Street, right next to the Salem Witch Trials Memorial.
Several key figures from the Salem Witch Trials era are buried there, including Judge John Hathorne, who was one of the trial judges (and an ancestor of Nathaniel Hawthorne).
The Witch Trials Memorial, just beside it, honors the 20 victims executed during the 1692 trials with stone benches etched with their names and the date of execution.
It’s a solemn, historic site—but also atmospheric and incredibly photogenic, especially if you’re doing storytelling shoots with a reverent or vintage tone.
Class of 2022 Senior Reps: Kirsten Jones, Kendall Howatt & Sara Ann Jones 2022: Our 2nd year in Salem.....Nirvana grunge. Think plaid flannels, ripped tights, Doc Martens. Early ‘90s angst with witchy undertones. We hit up Max & Dani's house for this shoot along with some other spots around Salem.
Class of 2023 Senior Models Addison Diggs, Chloe Camp and Lyndi Hadley 2023: Our 3rd year to go to Salem for this shoot....Ethereal Victorian ghosts. Inspired by an antique wedding dress I found and dyed to match each sister’s color. Pale skin, haunting beauty—like they had just risen from the grave. We shot along the shoreline outside of Max & Dani's house and the garden behind The House of Seven Gables. A historic landmark in Salem.
Class of 2024 Senior Reps: Brylee Barbee, Baylee Williams and Emma Stott 2024: We switched it up this year.....we shot in New Orleans. All Stevie Nicks vibes—witchy woman on the bayou meets French Quarter mystique.
Class of 2025 Senior Reps: Hannah Colbert, Alyssa Robbins and Kate Trevethan 2025 (upcoming): We’re taking it to The Headless Horseman's home turf....Sleepy Hollow, with a Marie Antoinette-inspired twist—elaborate Victorian gowns and haunting elegance.
It started as something seasonal… but became something sacred. It’s the one shoot I’ll never skip.
Summer Nostalgia: 70s Roller Skating Shoot
This year, I gathered four of my reps for a fun beachside roller skating shoot straight out of the 70s —and it was pure sun-soaked nostalgia. I wanted it to feel like the Wonder Years. A celebration of youth and freedom and summer and friendship. It was golden hour magic on wheels. We shot it in Galveston at golden hour. The goal? Capture the joy, the chaos, the light of youth. It was retro, carefree, and packed with personality. It felt like summer should feel.
Luxe 1950s Glam at the Grand Galvez
Presli brought another vision to life in Galveston—this time with an old-Hollywood look that felt like stepping back in time. We shot at the historic Grand Galvez, one of the oldest hotels in Texas. From her wardrobe to the poses to the energy—it felt like a postcard from the past.
It was clean, classic, and editorial. Everything I love wrapped up in one shoot.
Boho Western Outlaw – A Collaboration with Candice
This one was special for a different reason. Candice, my hairstylist (and wildly talented artist), designed a set of custom boho-inspired hairpieces and approached me with a vision:“Can we photograph these as a creative collab?” She wanted them captured in a gritty, wild western vibe.
Of course, the answer was yes.
So we styled Alyssa in all black, paired with natural makeup and attitude. We shot at an abandoned cattle auction barn—grunge meets outlaw cowgirl. It wasn’t soft. It was raw. It was fierce. And it was a perfect blend of our two crafts: hair and photography and we let the hairpieces be the star. The shoot became a celebration of her art too. And that’s the beauty of collaborations—when two visions collide, magic happens.
Styled Shoots with Strategy and Soul
Yes, styled shoots elevate my brand. Yes, they build my portfolio.Yes, they get people talking.
But more than that? They feed my soul and allow me to express the parts of me that don’t always make it into everyday sessions. They remind me that creativity matters. That intention matters. That photography is so much more than a backdrop and a smile. It’s a way to tell the truth, even when we’re just playing dress-up. But most importantly? They remind me that creating just to create is still allowed. Still powerful. Still worth it.
This work feeds my family. But this part feeds my soul.
And I’ll never stop chasing that spark.
Whether you’re a client, a creative, or someone who just loves seeing ideas come to life—styled shoots are my way of blending heart and strategy. Of creating without limits. And I can’t wait to share more with you soon.
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