Your wedding day should be a celebration, a time where you get to let go and just enjoy the presence of your loved ones celebrating the commemoration of your relationship. The last thing you want to be doing is worrying about whether or not you’re going to receive all of the photos you’d hoped to get.
To make sure your photographer captures every moment you’re looking for, a well-thought-out photo list is essential. Here’s how to put together the perfect list to ensure your wedding photos are everything you’ve envisioned.
1. Must-have shots
Begin by identifying the core moments and traditional photos you definitely want. These are usually:
- The First Look: The special moment when you first see each other in your wedding attire.
- Ceremony Highlights: Key moments like the vows, ring exchange, and first kiss.
- Family Formals: These are your traditional shots with immediate family members and the wedding party. It’s helpful to list each combination you’re looking for. (ex. bride with parents, groom with siblings, etc.)
- Prep Photos: Pictures of the getting ready process can really help to round out memories of the whole day. (ex. hair & makeup, getting dressed, family first-looks, etc.)
- Ceremony Highlights: Key moments like the vows, ring exchange, and first kiss.
- Family Formals: These are your traditional shots with immediate family members and the wedding party. It’s helpful to list each combination you’re looking for. (ex. bride with parents, groom with siblings, etc.)
- Prep Photos: Pictures of the getting ready process can really help to round out memories of the whole day. (ex. hair & makeup, getting dressed, family first-looks, etc.)
Having your most important photos picked out ahead of time makes it easier for your photographer to prioritize them and ensure that they are in your final photo album.
2. Unique details of the day
Add personal touches to your list by including:
- Venue Details: Shots of the venue, décor, and any personalized details that took time to create.
- Special Traditions: If you’re incorporating any unique rituals or traditions, make sure they’re on the list.
- Pets and Children: If your pets or little ones are part of your day, include photos with them. A lot of the weddings I’ve worked on have featured kids and pets as flower girls and parts of the wedding party, it makes them a part of the whole experience in a fun way!
- Special Traditions: If you’re incorporating any unique rituals or traditions, make sure they’re on the list.
- Pets and Children: If your pets or little ones are part of your day, include photos with them. A lot of the weddings I’ve worked on have featured kids and pets as flower girls and parts of the wedding party, it makes them a part of the whole experience in a fun way!
3. Candid Moments
Posed photos are important but candid shots are what capture the real emotions and atmosphere of your day. Ideas to consider might be:
- Guest Reactions: Natural moments of guests enjoying themselves and experiencing the excitement planned for the day
- Fun at the Reception: Dancing, speeches, and other lively parts of the celebration.
- Emotional Moments: Quiet moments between you and your partner or intimate interactions with family. – These are important because they’re more often than not the photos that truly put us back in the memory of that moment.
- Guest Reactions: Natural moments of guests enjoying themselves and experiencing the excitement planned for the day
- Fun at the Reception: Dancing, speeches, and other lively parts of the celebration.
- Emotional Moments: Quiet moments between you and your partner or intimate interactions with family. – These are important because they’re more often than not the photos that truly put us back in the memory of that moment.
4. Coordinate with Your Photographer
Share your list with your photographer well in advance. Discussing your vision and any specific shots you have in mind will help them understand what’s important to you so that they can be sure to focus on them. Some photographers might even put your specific list of photos into your contract so that they guarantee your most important memories are captured. They can also use their expertise to provide advice on what works best with your wedding day timeline and the venue.
5. Create a Shot List Timeline
Organize your photo list by time of day to ensure you cover everything. You can also consult your photographer while putting together this timeline to help with ideas and placement. Some examples would be:
- Pre-Ceremony: Getting ready, first look, details like rings and dress.
- Ceremony: Key moments and family portraits.
- Reception: Arrival, speeches, cake cutting, first dance, and candid moments.
- Ceremony: Key moments and family portraits.
- Reception: Arrival, speeches, cake cutting, first dance, and candid moments.
6. Be Flexible
While having a list is crucial, it’s also important to be flexible. Wedding days are dynamic and some moments might not go exactly as planned. Trust your photographer’s expertise to adapt and capture the essence of your day even if things don’t go according to plan.
7. Communicate with Your Wedding Party
This is a big one. Take some time to make sure your wedding party is aware of the photo schedule and any specific instructions like who needs to be where and when. This will help keep things smooth and on track, making it easier to get to all of your desired photos.
8. Consider a Photo “Must-Have” List for Your Guests
If you have specific friends or family members you definitely want in photos, make a note of that. Share this with your photographer so they can make a point to get those important shots. It’s also a good idea to inform them of your photography timeline so they can be prepared to be where you need them to be if you’d like them to be in your formal photos.
9. Review and Finalize
Before your wedding, review your list and make any necessary adjustments. Confirm with your photographer that they have all the details and are prepared to capture everything you’ve outlined.
10. Enjoy the Day
Once the day arrives, the only thing you need to focus on is enjoying every moment. Trust your photographer and their team to handle the details and remember that the most important thing is to soak in the joy and love surrounding you!
Putting together a detailed photo list will help ensure that your wedding photos are a true reflection of your unique day. By planning ahead and communicating with your photographer, you can look forward to a collection of images that will allow you to relive the magic of your wedding day.
