CREATING A WEDDING SHOT LIST
Photographer Credit: Taimane Kini Photography
Your wedding day is most likely going to be the best day of your life, but it will most likely FLY by. You’ll be so busy getting ready + celebrating + just being in the dang moment that you’ll blink and it’ll be the next day. And you know what you don’t want to be thinking the next day?
“Oh shoot, I didn’t get a picture with ____!”
Because at that point, it’s too late. Obviously.
We always ask our couples to create a shot list for us and the photographer to reference so we can make sure that you are getting all the pictures you want! However, we always recommend that you appoint one of your siblings or friends to assist- your photographer and coordinator won’t know who everyone on your list is, so it’s helpful to have someone who is familiar with everyone’s names/roles to help pull the groups together!
It’s also important to note that each group picture can take up to four minutes. So while you would probably like to get a picture with every single guest, it’s just not probable. This is why it’s helpful to make a thoughtful list beforehand! You can make sure you’re getting the important pictures but won’t be spending half of your reception in front of the camera.
Photography Credit: Seeking Films
Photographer Credit: Jessica Nakasone
BUILDING YOUR SHOT LIST
We typically recommend you start with the largest groups and work your way smaller.
Therefore, if you are wanting a picture of the whole group, we always take care of that right after the ceremony. It’s much easier to wrangle everyone together before everyone runs to the bar.
Photographer Credit: Schyne Photography
From there, we recommend doing group pictures of both Partner 1 + Partner 2’s extended families.
Once those three group pictures are over, we recommend knocking out all the pictures with either Partner 1’s family or Partner 2’s family. For this example, we’re going to start Partner 1’s family.
First up would be a picture of Partner 1 and Partner 2 with Partner 1’s immediate family. From here, Partner 1 would do a picture with both parents and then a picture with all the siblings. Then, you can break it down into an individual picture with each parent and sibling.
After Partner 1’s family pictures are complete, you’d repeat with Partner 2’s family.
After all the family pictures are done, you’d take pictures with any other “special guests” that you’d like. This could be godparents, grandparents, godchildren, or even the officiant.
And last but not least, finish off with a good amount of wedding party pictures (both individually and as a group)! Wedding party pictures tend to be the most active, so we usually save these fun ones for the end.
Once you’ve gone through your entire photography shot list, congrats- you are done posing and IT’S TIME TO START PARTYING!
Photographer Credit: Christie Pham Photography
SAMPLE SHOT LIST
Entire group
Partner 1 + Partner 2 with Partner 1’s extended family
Partner 1 + Partner 2 with Partner 2’s extended family
Partner 1 + Partner 2 with Partner 1’s immediate family
Partner 1 + Partner 2 with Partner 1’s parents
Partner 1 + Partner 2 with Partner 1’s siblings
Partner 1 with each parent and sibling individually
Partner 1 + Partner 2 with Partner 2’s immediate family
Partner 1 + Partner 2 with Partner 2’s parents
Partner 1 + Partner 2 with Partner 2’s siblings
Partner 2 with each parent and sibling individually
Partner 1 + Partner 2 with any “special” guests (officiant, godparents, godchildren, grandma, etc)
Partner 1 + Partner 2 with entire wedding party
Partner 1 + Partner 2 with bridesmaids
Partner 1 + Partner 2 with groomsmen
Partner 1 + Partner 2with flower girl
Partner 1 + Partner 2 with ring bearer
Partner 1 + Partner 2 with each bridesmaid
Partner 1 with flower girl
Partner 2 with each groomsmen
Partner 2 with ring bearer
