WOOOHOOO you are ready to capture your couple’s big day. Take some getting ready photos, some wedding party photos, those ceremony and reception pics, bada bing, bada boom, ta-da! Oh shiz. You realize you forgot the dress zipping. And the groomsmen poses look stale. And…. is that a bird in the first kiss shot?! Life is going to unfold the way it does, but I am here to assure you that by using my Wedding Photography Shot List for photographers, you will be prepared for anything and everything! Aside from the time a groomsman puked on my shoes. No one was prepared for that.
We are going to be using the term shot list, but I want you to really think of this as a moment list. The job on paper is to take photos, the role in our hearts is to capture moments. Wed Society of North Texas gives great advice to potential couples, “Let your photographer know if there are any special moments you’d like to happen, like a first look with your bridesmaids or your dad, a letter or gift exchange, touching or talking to your S.O. prior to the ceremony without seeing them – it’s totally okay for you to tell your photographer about things like this you’d like included in your day. They’ll make sure these events get captured beautifully!” If your couple hasn’t shared this with you yet, ASK! It’s not just about what pictures should a wedding photographer take but HOW to take them. Now let’s get to the getting ready.
Wedding Photography Shot List: Getting Ready
Ahhhh everyone is here! The vibes are HIGH!! Maybe someone is already crying, probably most in the group are laughing together. The getting ready portion of the day is filled with sweet moments between family and closest friends. It’s the time where you will capture those emotional moments, soft glances, quiet tears, and subtle touches. Things not everyone will notice or remember, without you!
Tips for the Getting Ready Wedding Photography Shot List
I will be saying this a lot in the blog but assess your surroundings! Again, you are the trained eye. You will see what other people gloss over. Photograph the getting ready photos against non-distraction backgrounds whenever possible. Think, a calm room, a library, a place without clutter! If the getting ready room is dark, photograph with a flash and use a diffuser so the lighting is soft. The light shouldn’t be noticeable in the images but is more of a fill. There’s nothing worse than over flashed photos!
Be searching for candid photos of the couple and their family/friends. You want to document who puts on his boutonniere, great for a photo and great for story telling on your blog afterwards! Look for the story unfolding in front of you. Photograph with a zoom lens or have two camera bodies to get varying degrees of close shots. It’s important that you’re not interrupting what’s happening. You are a beautiful fly on the wall.
Pay attention to when the group can use a little more direction and give them prompts! “Get all snuggly!” “Does your maid of honor have any advice for the bride?” “What was your favorite memory of time you’ve spent together?” This will get the group more focused on each other and get the camera off their mind.
Shooting unintentionally happens most regularly when we are capturing the getting ready and reception. We sometimes feel that we have to seem “busy” and to be taking photos constantly. That isn’t the case. You can be capturing the wedding day beautifully without taking photos every second. Be intentional with when you click the shutter and don’t overshoot.
The Shot List
I like to start the getting ready shots with the bride and her mom. Those are always so special and such a beautiful start to the story of the day. Capture candid photos of the bride’s mom soaking in her baby girl and the moments, giving her a hug, a teary smile. Then move into portraits of the pair together.
The Bride Tribe
If the bridesmaids have matching robes, jackets, anything that the bride has obviously put time into to make happen, photograph them all together wearing their gifts! On the bed all cuddly like a sleepover or in a fancy bathroom helping each other get ready! It’s the ultimate GRWM. Make sure you are ready to capture their reactions when they see the bride in her dress!
What Pictures Should a Wedding Photographer Take to Capture Details?
The wedding dress hanging up can be suuuuch an important image for the wedding album. Be sure to keep it safe from dropping on the ground. Capture it horizontally and vertically as an establishing detail shot. I always like to put the wedding dress somewhere that symbolizes the location.
Capture the rings on vow books or passport books if it’s a destination! Use a macro tube on top of a 35mm lens with the 12mm or 24mm tubes. Style the rings so both can be seen, unified as one. Make sure the rings are on the same plane so both are in focus. We’ve also had the rings on flowers, invitations, hiking boots, or the cake!
When styling the invitation suite, assemble all elements on a neutral mat or background that accentuates the venue (ie, stone patio, wood, linen backed flat-lay backdrops etc.). Assemble all pieces and flowers around it to gain better compositional balance. For best results, aim for a square composition. Photograph vertical & horizontal overtop angles.
Photograph individual elements next. If there is time, stylize individually with flowers or ribbon. If there isn’t time, crop tight on elements. Incorporate the shoes, ribbon, veil, and flowers. These are great to have in their wedding album to remember the special touches of the day.
In Her Best Dress, Wedding Photography Shot List
Ahh a moment for the DRESS! Actually, lots of moments. Do I need a wedding shot list specifically for the dress? Abso-fucking-lutely. Start with photographing horizontal and vertical shots of the dress. Include some of the environment in the first shots, and then walk closer to get closeups of the dress. Capture it horizontally and vertically as an establishing detail shot. I always like to put the wedding dress somewhere that symbolizes the location.
Find a location that is as simple, non-distracting as possible. It should still be in an area that will tell the story of the day. We’ve hung the dress (WITH GREAT CARE!) from a tree near the ceremony area before. Don’t be afraid to get creative!
Style the dress so the train and bodice is lying flat, take it in in its entirety.
Almost time for the bride to wear the fuck out of this dress! Do a full scan of the room. As the expert, you’ll notice the clutter that gets overlooked. Enlist the help of a bridesmaid! Everyone wants stunning photos, and they usually are very happy to help. You give the directions; they are ready to go! Move out trash cans, smooth down beds, position the bride in a place in the room that’s optimal for lighting!
Work it, Bride!
Once the setting is ready, respect her privacy, and only start photographing once all of her is covered with the dress. After that, rotate around her as the dress is coming on.
Capture a photo of the bride’s face with her helper’s in the background. Take a photo from the back. Always get a closeup on the dress buttoning and the helper’s hands.
Slooowwww down the process. This moment is meant to be savored, enjoyed. Saying YES to the dress is such a big deal, and now here the lovely bride is, in the special dress, on the most beautiful day. It cannot be overstated.
Photograph full body and close up details. Our brides have such beautiful taste, whether it’s a corset button up, intricate lace detail, and beautiful tulle skirt, the bride owning that dress deserves photos of it all. Make sure to get a photo the back of the dress, hair tumbling down or however she chooses to wear it.
Lastly, capture the reactions from the wedding party! Talk to the bride and see if she wants all the brides in the room while she’s getting ready or if she wants to set up a “reveal”! Some of the BEST photos are these genuine reaction photos. This is definitely one for the moment list. We loved the bride reveal at our Firelight Farm Wedding in Bozeman.
Wedding Photography Shot List – The Wedding Party
Bridesmaids Shot list
Everyone is dressed and ready to go! The champagne and lip gloss is poppin’! Our goal with bridesmaids’ photos is to let our bride have some fun with her girls. She’s chosen these people intentionally, so we want to make sure there is time for her to connect with her people.
Photograph the bridesmaids both horizontally and vertically. Take photos with the group standing on either side of the bride. Then, have them line up on either side alternating based on their “order” coming down the aisle.
Next, have the bridesmaids together, and get a closeup of the bride and her bridesmaid after you ask the maid of honor to tell a funny story! Get that reaction!
Pro tip – the focal point on close ups should be on the eyes. Usually, of the bride. The first thing that draws our attention to the image will be the eyes. If they are not sharp, the image loses interest. Increasing the aperture to f/4 would also help with sharpness.
Let’s go girls, C’mon. Line the bride tribe up and take a few standing in place. Next, ask them to strut their stuff and walk toward you. Let’s make Shania proud!
Spread the ladies on either side of the bride and arrange them in pairs. Some will be back to back, others with their arms resting on shoulder, etc. Let’s mix it up and have some fun!
If there’s one thing the bride loves next to her spouse, it’s the people she picked to stand next to her. She will have a unique and special relationship with each one so make sure she gets a solo picture with everyone! Ask them to do one traditional, smiling photo. The next one “do something weird in 4… 3… 2… 1!” Catch the laughter after!
The Groomsmen
The groom has chosen his wedding party with care, so we want to be sure to capture the feelings of the day. We’ll want to get the traditional portraits, but also allow them to be silly.
Photograph the groomsmen both horizontally and vertically. Take photos with the group standing on either side of the bride. Then, have them line up on either side alternating based on their “order” coming down the aisle.
We love photos of the men with their hands in their pockets and their thumbs sticking out. It looks inviting and sleek.
Photograph the groomsmen in a line together and then ask them to walk towards you. You’d be surprised how often the Shania Twain reference lands here! If not, I like to tell them that when I say the code word “penguin” they get to lightly tackle the groom. But don’t hurt him! They tend to like this one and there is genuine laughter we can capture.
Pro tip- Images need to be sharp. All walking, dancing, and running photos should be photographed at a shutter speed high enough to avoid image blur.
Spread out the groomsmen on either side of the groom and arrange them in pairs or individually. Some will be back to back, others will be facing each other. You can pose them with hands in pockets, arms crossed, checking their cufflinks, adjusting ties, etc. The groom’s group gets a leg up on the women with options in this shot!
Whether he is openly admitting it or not, the groom really loves his crew. Take individual photos of the groom with each of his groomsmen. Ask them to do one normal, smiling photo. The next one “do something weird in 4… 3… 2… 1!” They come up with some pretty good stuff!
Full Wedding Party
These photos are so important because they are the ENTIRE group of people that our couple has chosen to be with them on their day. We’re aiming for FUN here. Lead with humor, but also give them good direction so they are done in an efficient amount of time. We still have a wedding to get to! Some of our FAVORITE wedding party pictures came from the Modern Montana Wedding.
Line the bridesmaids up on one side, and the groomsmen on the other. Take one smiling and one after they give a “whooo!” to the couple!
Have them “find their aisle buddies” (aka the person they are walking down the aisle with). Pair them off and pose them with variety. Some couples should go back to back, others hooking arms, others with their arms on shoulders, etc. Then have them rush the couple and give them hugs!
One of my FAVORITE shots that I don’t see very often is the human tunnel. Line up bridesmaids on one side, the groomsmen on the other, connect hands in the air to form a tunnel. Have the bride and groom run through, kissing at the end!
Pro tip – we have seen some BIG wedding parties, and we aren’t scared! When you have a large wedding party, find a way where you can position them in different levels!
Complete Wedding Photography Shot List
Every photograph you take should tell a story or capture something important about the wedding day. As we go through our shot list of the beginning of the day, there is still SO much story left to tell!! With our full Wedding Day Training guide, you’ll get the full suite of wedding day training guides for photographers. We hear people asking “how do I make a photoshoot shot list” and our guide will walk through every step of the wedding day and how you photograph it. This guide includes an editable template you can tweak with your images, camera settings, and style to make it your own PDF guide without reinventing the wheel. Then it is ready for you to use your way, again and again!
Over 100+ pages with shot lists and pro tips featuring:
- Getting Ready
- Bride & Groom Prompts and Styling
- Wedding Party
- Family
- Ceremony
- Reception
Use our Wedding Day Training guide for a significant boost in image delivery, a lengthy gallery full of gorgeous photos, and a list of happy couples gushing to their friends about you! This wedding photography shot list will help you get the goods!
Be the first to comment