Do You Use a Shot List? Let’s Talk Family Photos on Your Wedding Day!
So, you’re planning your wedding—yay! You have probably not planned a wedding before. Certainly, no one has ever planned THIS wedding before – it can get overwhelming fast. One question I get asked often as a wedding photographer is “do you use a shot list?” Let’s talk about how I approach family photos for weddings and why you might want a photo list for wedding photography.
What we are documenting in wedding photos
First off, my primary goal is to document the day you are planning.
I want to capture the story of your wedding, with all the details and spaces. But most of what I aim to document on a wedding day is people. Candid interactions, big staged moments, small exchanges, unexpected emotional displays, and all kinds of greetings.
Another way to document people is in more formal planned portraits. Making a photo list for wedding photography before the wedding means that these group photos can take the time they require, but don’t interfere with the rest of the enjoying.
Why Family Photos Are a Big Deal
I come from a big family – youngest of 5, and I literally have dozens of cousins to boot. Having photos of family is rare and important. Making sure that those happen efficiently is EQUALLY important so that staged photos are a part of your day and not the whole of your day. That’s where the photo list for wedding photography comes in.
The Power of a Shot List
Often, couples want things to feel candid and natural, and a shot list might feel too rigid and proscribed. Rarely, a couple will truly not want any staged photos and want everything to happen in a documentary and candid style. And I will do that, knowing that a totally documentary approach does mean that you might not get the exact photos you have in mind. I generally recommend a photo list, even one that is very small, instead of solely documentary coverage of groups.
A photo list accomplishes several tasks at once:
- A photo list combats anxiety. Sometimes all people want is a plan. Sometimes our anxiety tells us that we need to be in problem solving mode. When we have worked on a plan together (that is the list!), it allows me to step in and say “the couple has a plan and we are on track!” I can’t tell you how many times that simple phrase can stop an overly solicitous family member from getting too involved.
- A photo list stops “photo creep”. A list actually keeps the number of group photos shorter by not allowing every other grouping to keep being added on. If you have been to a wedding with photos of every permutation, that is often because there was not a plan and everyone has opinions about “if we got everything”. Every permutation is not generally the best way to go for photos, so keeping groups focused makes sure you get the permutations you want and not excessive variation.
- A photo list makes you focus on the photos that you actually want and not the photos you think you are supposed to take. What photos do you and your partner REALLY want? What photos do you want on your walls in the years to come, those should be on the list.
- A photo list helps with family dynamics. It can help feelings from being hurt by keeping things as equal as possible. Including your stepparent in a set of photos, asking parents what photos they want as part of the groupings, or thinking through difficult situations ahead of time means that those decisions and conversations aren’t happening when you are in the middle of a big emotional day.
- A photo list respects the time of all your guests, and also keeps kids from melting down (hopefully!). Kids arrive only for the photos they are in, same with other family members, and you get more time to enjoy your day.
- A photo list lets me (your photographer!) be the heavy so that you can just enjoy. When we have a plan, I can be the one to say “that’s not on the list, but we have another photo with you coming up” or “sorry, we are only taking photos from the list right now”. I don’t have to go to thanksgiving with your relatives, so you can make me the inflexible one!
Tips for Crafting Your Shot List
Here’s how we’ll tackle it together:
Gather Your Ideas: I’ll send you some helpful information to get you started on your shot list. Think about which family groupings you’d like to capture. This could include immediate family, family of choice, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and any special combinations that are meaningful to you.
Get the other stakeholders involved: It might be your parents or other family members, but there are often other people involved in planning, paying, or executing the wedding. Asking parents if there is a photo that the want to have ensures that they feel heard. If it is possible, lets get that on the list. If it isn’t what you want, then the conversation can happen before the wedding.
Prioritize: Once you have your list, let’s prioritize it. We’ll focus on the must-have shots first, so you can relax and enjoy the rest of your day knowing we’ve got the important moments covered.
Timing is Everything: I’ll coordinate with you on the best time to take family photos. This is usually right before or after the ceremony when everyone is gathered.
Enjoy the Moment: Remember, this is your day! While I’m busy organizing everyone for the photos, I want you to actually enjoy love that surrounds you. The more relaxed you are, the more genuine and beautiful your photos will be.
Navigating Family Dynamics when you make a photo list for wedding photography
Every family is unique, so lets capture the family that you have and want to celebrate. That might include a slew of parental figures, one important sibling, friends that have become family, or an enormous set of relatives from all over.
Whatever the content, I’m happy to help figure out the best way to put the groupings together for you! .
Final Thoughts on putting using a photo list for wedding photography
Family photos represent a totally unique time in your lives. Sometimes this will be the only time all of these people are assembled, and looking so good! Having them documented is important for the years to come. I want you to enjoy the photos, and also enjoy the process of taking them.
Planning a wedding in Minneapolis?
If you are looking for a photographer for your Minneapolis wedding, I’d love to connect with you! You deserve to relive all the energy and excitement of your event through the images!
