Photography Workshop vs. Styled Shoot: What’s The Difference?
Photography Workshop vs. Styled Shoot: What’s The Difference?
Photography Workshop vs. Styled Shoot: Understanding the Difference for Your Continued Education
As photographers, we’re always looking for ways to grow—whether it’s refining our craft, expanding our portfolio, or simply reigniting our creative spark. But when it comes to investing in continued education, not all opportunities are created equal. That’s where the big question comes in: Photography workshop vs. styled shoot—what’s the difference, and which one is right for you?
I recently had the opportunity to attend both a photography workshop taught by Marcella Laine (Home In The Mountains) and a high-end styled shoot by Megan Thompson (A Curated Mess), and let me tell you—they each served very different purposes. One focused on education, diving deep into storytelling and technique, while the other was a beautifully crafted, editorial-style shoot designed to elevate my portfolio. Neither is better than the other; it’s all about knowing what you need at this stage in your journey.
In this post, I’ll break down the key differences between photography workshops and styled shoots, helping you decide where to invest your time and money. Whether you’re craving hands-on learning or simply want to capture jaw-dropping, curated content, understanding what each offers will ensure you walk away feeling fulfilled and inspired.
Photography Workshop — Home In The Mountains
Getting the chance to attend a workshop led by Marci—aka Marcella Laine—was nothing short of a dream come true. She’s a world-renowned landscape and elopement photographer, traveling the globe capturing the most breathtaking “tiny people, big landscape” images I’ve ever seen. Marci has been one of my biggest inspirations for as long as I can remember, someone I’ve admired from afar, and always in awe of her work!
After spending a lot of time and money on “content days,” I started feeling frustrated with what I was walking away with. And that’s exactly what it was—just content. Even when marketed as including education, it often boiled down to a quick 30-45 minute talk from another photographer. While that can be valuable, I had reached a point where I was craving more from my continued education.
Attending Home In The Mountains: North Cascades changed everything. This workshop was an immersive, hands-on learning experience—intimate, intentional, and honestly, it felt like learning from an old friend. As an elopement photographer, Marci builds her course around teaching composition and technical skills, breaking down each concept in a way that truly layers the information. But what really set this experience apart? After hours of in-depth teaching, she takes you into a real elopement with a real couple, guiding you through applying everything you’ve just learned.
One of the things that makes Marci such an incredible educator is her ability to walk you through her thought process in real time—explaining what she’s seeing, how she’s setting up a shot, even down to the camera settings she’d use. There’s no gatekeeping with her—she genuinely wants you to succeed. And that kind of openness and generosity in education? It’s deeply rare and invaluable.
Styled Shoot: A Curated Mess
Next up is a stunning styled shoot hosted and designed by Megan Thompson of A Curated Mess. Megan is an elopement and micro-wedding planner with an eye for design that never fails to blow me away. Her ability to craft a visually breathtaking scene is unmatched, making her styled shoots an absolute dream for photographers looking to elevate their portfolios to the next level. I personally attended BOTH of her styled shoots in 2024 because I loved every part of seeing her vision come to life and being able to capture that on camera.
If you’re hoping to attract a certain type of client while also soaking in some creative direction from a talented lead photographer, a styled shoot like Megan’s is 100% worth it. While Megan herself isn’t a photographer, she’s worked with some of the best wedding photographers across the country—and she brings them in to lead her shoots. That means attendees not only get to capture her incredible designs but also gain fresh perspectives on wedding photography from seasoned pros like Alesia Hardy of Alesia Films or Blake Hogge!
Now, unlike a workshop, you won’t be diving deep into the thought process of the lead photographer. But what you will walk away with? Jaw-dropping images, intentional design details, and strong, engaging work to share with potential clients. If education isn’t your primary focus and you’re more interested in crafting a polished, high-end portfolio—Megan’s got you covered. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!
A photography workshop or a styled shoot?
So, which one is right for you? Well, only you can answer that.
Ask yourself this: Are you looking for a deep, hands-on educational experience? Or are you wanting to expand your portfolio with editorial, storytelling, and high-end design details? The beauty of this decision is that there’s no wrong choice.
You can attend a workshop packed with education and still walk away with stunning images of models. Or, you can choose an elevated styled shoot where you’ll capture incredible editorial details while having a lead photographer guide you through the shoot. It all comes down to what’s most important for this season of your photography journey.
I admire both Marci and Megan so deeply, and I’d recommend their offerings a hundred times over. Investing in creators who truly want to see you succeed is something that’s often overlooked when making this decision—but it’s so important. Without a doubt, both Marci and Megan are beyond supportive and reaffirming of their attendees, making you feel welcome whether you choose a photography workshop or a styled shoot.
Looking for more photography guides and resources? Check out some of my other work below to get firsthand insight into being a PNW Wedding photographer who firmly believes in continued education and consistently chasing growth in the industry.
Super 8 Wedding: The Magic of Film
Intimate Wedding VS. Elopement: How To Choose The Perfect Celebration
