Going further with prepping for your wedding, today I thought I would bring out my family shot list that through the years many couples have thanked me for. Typically I will send this to my couples before their wedding day, along with a few other pieces of “homework” to get an idea of what group shot they are interested in as well as see how fast we can fly through these photos. Generally these are the photos that can take longer if you aren’t prepared. But if you are, it can make your day go oh-so-much faster!!.jpg)
If you have been shooting for a while, you might have a system that you use when photographing families. I typically like to start with the largest group possible and then take away and always end with grandparents because in some cases they can be immobile and not want to wait long..jpg)
If you looked at my post from yesterday, you can see that I typically do family shots later in the day starting with the brides’s side (so the mother of the bride can take care of any last minute details and still have time before guests arrive) and then move into the groom’s side. If there are divorced parents that really don’t not care to see one another, I usually split them up between the other family or go every other if need be, but most of the time, I have found that most parents are cordial with one another and are there to support their children on their wedding day.
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I will say this list HAS helped in making sure I know when family members are not together anymore so I am not caught doing couple photos when they are no longer a couple! (Let’s just say I learned the hard way with that one….picture ex’s together and me asking them to kiss….Hand to head here and an uncomfortable moment!!).jpg)
I would also advise memorizing parents names. This can help tremendously and get your process going even faster! After photographing so many different weddings over the years, below are the groupings that are most wanted on the wedding day. Hope this helps as you plan or photograph your next wedding!.jpg)
Groom::
Groom and extended Family
Groom and immediate family
Groom and siblings
Groom and Mom
Groom and Dad
Groom and grandparents
Groom’s parents
Bride::
Bride and extended family
Bride and immediate family
Bride and siblings
Bride and Mom
Bride and Dad
Bride and grandparents
Bride’s Parents
Bride and Groom::
B&G with Bride’s Family
B&G with Groom’s Family
B&G with Grandparents
B&G with all extended family
B&G with siblings