How To Plan, Prep & Nail Your Family Wedding Photos Using A Simple Shot List
Whether you’re eloping, having an intimate wedding, or going all out, if you have guests included in your day, you’ll want photos with them. Making a wedding photo shot list of ALL the friends and family portrait combos you want in advance is the easiest way to make sure the day-of photos are smooth, painless, and super quick!
What is A Wedding Photo Shot List?
A shot list is exactly what it sounds like: a list of family wedding pictures to take so that your photographer captures them on your wedding day. They’re mostly used for the more official-looking, portrait-style photos, like couples’ photos, family photos and group photos.
You might be like, “Wait—I’m supposed to know what photos to take?! I thought the photographer would worry about that!” And you’re right, the photographer does worry about that for you—for most of the day. Thing is, your photographer doesn’t know who your most important people are, and they don’t know who you want portraits with—unless you tell them. Remember, they’re in the room with 10-50 strangers, and unless they see a bridesmaid’s dress or a groomsman’s tux, they have no clue who’s a VIP and who’s a plus-one. The shot list lets your photographer know who simply must be photographed with you in an official way in advance, so nothing important gets missed.
Friends & Family Members To Include In Your Wedding Photos
Now that you’re sold on this idea (I hope), let’s figure out who’s making the list! Typically, a shot list will include people like:
Parents
Siblings
Grandparents
Close family members
Bridesmaids
Groomsmen
Kiddos at the party
High school friends
College friends
Work friends
Other close friends
Should You Include Aunts And Uncles In Your Wedding Photos?
The answer depends on a few factors, namely:
Whether or not you’re inviting aunts and uncles!
How close you are to your aunts and uncles. (Are they ride or dies, or no?)
How many “core” family members you want photos with.
Whether or not you’re comfortable taking extra time
Pro Tip: If there are any divorces or sensitivities in the family, don't feel pressure to put those folks in a photo together. We can take separate photos of each side.
Rule of thumb: If you wouldn't frame it, don't feel like you have to take it!
How To Organize Your Family Wedding Photos
#1 Make your shot list! (More on how to do this below.) Then, share it with your photographer in advance, and keep a copy of it accessible on your big day.
#2 Have a shot caller. This person will call out the names or titles of the people needed for each photo. (“Grandma Jane and Uncle Bill! Can I get Grandma Jane and Uncle Bill under the oak tree please?!”) Ideally, this is someone who isn’t in the family photos, can identify everyone visually, and isn’t shy about shouting out names in a crowd of people. If you don’t have someone, my hubby-slash-second-shooter, Dennis, is more than happy to step into the role.
#3 Prep everyone. Let them know in advance that they’ll be part of your family photos. Tell them to stay close after the ceremony, and give them a specific meet-up place and time.
How To Create A Family Wedding Photo Shot List
#1 Make A Big ‘Ol List of Names
Make a big list of everyone you’ll want to be included. Create this list as soon as the RSVPs start rolling in and keep updating it as you go.
#2 Turn Names Into Groups
Group your names together into photo combos. Things like “Sarah with the Woo cousins” or “Brad and siblings” are great.
Then, plan it out so that on the day of, you get the biggest group together first. This gives your family a chance to sneak in some quick congratulatory hugs right away. And as the groups get smaller, since everyone will have given you a squeeze, they can simply step out of the frame and I can capture the next group as quickly as possible.
#3 Don't Forget One-on-One Shots
Individual photos with each of you and your closest family members make great gifts and posts for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Sibling Days, and even birthdays. Add any missing 1:1 shots to your list, like:
Me and my mom
You and your mom
Me and my dad
You and your dad
Me and my sister
Me and your sister
…keep going until you’ve got all the combos!
#4 Consider One Family Group Shot & A Few Smaller Groups
This is a nice solution to the problem of not feeling that close with your family, but also not wanting to make things awkward or leave people off of the “official” family list. (But it’s okay to still have an “official” list that we keep as a secret between you and me!)
Example Family Wedding Photo Shot List
I love this example shot list, inspired by the one The Knot created:
Couple Photos
Couple with both families
Couple with siblings and siblings' spouses
With parents
Just the couple
Partner One
With parents
With immediate family
With grandparents
Just parents
Just grandparents
With siblings
Partner Two
With parents
With immediate family
With grandparents
Just parents
Just grandparents
With siblings
Other Fun Combos
With Partner One's wedding party
With Partner Two's wedding party
With the entire wedding party
Couple with flower girl and ring bearer
Couple with pets
Couple with family friends
Couple with high school friends
Couple with college friends
Couple with work friends
Generational photos
Choosing A Location For Group Family Photos
There are a few things I look for when choosing a location for family photos:
The best light
An area big enough to fit everyone
A neutral background that won't distract from your beautiful family
If you have a spot in mind, that’s great! Let me know. If not, I can absolutely help you choose the right one. If we’re already working together, just send me an email. If not, book a free consultation call and we can go from there!
Planning When To Take Your Family Photos
I typically recommend we schedule family portraits immediately after the ceremony, while everyone’s lookin’ fresh and they’re all still in one place. But who the heck am I to tell you what to do, right?! In case that’s not your jam, here are a few other options:
Before the ceremony. Most commonly done if you're having a first look.
After the ceremony. A good option since everyone is already present.
At the reception. Perfect if you're keeping most of the day private with an intimate wedding or elopement, but you want to include your family for a reception or a celebration meal.
How Long Do Family Photos Take At A Wedding
Set aside at least 30 minutes for family photos on your wedding day. But, if you’re planning to do a lot of photos or to invite extended family members like aunts, uncles, cousins, and/or their partners, definitely factor that in and give yourself more time.
Looking for a wedding photographer to capture family photos at your wedding?
Aside from a tried + true method to organize wedding family photos so that they don’t take long at all, I’ll also be there to help you plan the rest of your amazing day! Need help figuring out where to go for photos? I can help with that! Want candids full of genuine emotion? I just might be your girl!