In the months leading up to your wedding, there are countless to-do items from making final selections
to your DJ or band list to finalizing all your seating assignments and shot list with your photographer and videographer. For me and many of my couples, the shot list is essential to help make sure they are on the same page with the photographer and ensure a stress-free day knowing every shot will be taken.
Between you, your fiancée, your planner, photographer and Pinterest board, there are way too many
photo ideas and poses to do unless you want to skip your wedding and run around taking photos all day
and night long. After dozens of weddings and overseeing all my couple’s portrait sessions, here are the
top five photos you should consider having on your photographer’s shot list for your wedding day.
1. Complete Candid Shots
These are my absolute favorite and ones my couples adore the most. It is your day and you’re
with your closest family and friends in your wedding party. It sometimes takes a few minutes to
warm up since some wedding parties are a mix of people from all times in your life: siblings,
cousins, childhood friends to college friends and work friends and chances are they have heard
about one another but haven’t hung out altogether. But once everyone gets more comfortable
and starts chatting and laughing, these shots are priceless. Laugh, make jokes, talk about the fun
times at the bachelorette and bachelor party and all the dancing that’ll go down later that night!
Photo Meg Brock Photography
2. The Couple in Front of the Wedding Party
This is such a classic shot, but one of my favorites since it plays with the depth of field. There are
a few ways to do this. Have all the bridesmaids and groomsmen standing behind the couple.
They can be all the women on one end and men on the other or coupled up with the couple a
few feet in front. Some couples prefer to look at the camera or kiss, and the wedding party can
be smiling or cheering behind.
Photo Ashley Gerrity Photography
3. Getting Ready
From matching robes and pajama sets to a celebratory shot and snack break, getting ready
photos are always fun. There are so many candid moments in the hours leading up to the
wedding. Bridesmaids helping each other get into their dresses and touch up their hair and
make-up and groomsmen tying their shoes and adjusting their cufflinks.
Photo Annie Hosfeld Photography
4. Looking Back at It
Give some attention to the back of your dress! Both the bride and bridesmaids went through
the process of choosing a dress color and style and getting their hair done, so you should take a
moment to capture those details of the backless dress and fancy updo. For the men, a photo of
them walking away from the camera works too!
Photo Renee Nicolo Photography
5. The Big YAY Shot
The last shot of the portrait shot should always be everyone coming together for the big YAY
and excited shot. Props like bottles of champagne, confetti and sunglasses are optional but just
everyone with their mouth open and hands up and maybe jumping evokes so much happiness
and joy and probably some relief that the portraits are over and it is time to get this couple MARRIED!!
Photo Tyler Boye Photography
What are some other photos you want to get on your wedding day?
Cheers!
Andi