Wedding Photography Group Shot List

When I think of the wedding photography group shot list, I think of the VIP photo portion of the day. As a New Jersey wedding photographer, I get a pretty good idea of what the group shot lists are required, but I never want to assume, so before the wedding day, I ask my couples to break down the groups they wish to be photographed with.

 

What are groups?

Wedding groups are a list of VIPs the couple wishes to take photos with on the wedding day. These are their very important people. They also want to frame these photos around their home or put them in their wedding album.

 

 

The wedding party shot list

I like to start photographing groups with the wedding party first. Wedding party members are like the bridesmaids and groomsmen, ring bearers and flower girls, and the couple’s officiant.

1. Full group shot, including the ring bearer and flower girl
2. Full group shot without the ring bearer and flower girl
3. Groomsmen (or brides’ partner’s side) together
4. Bridesmaids together
5. Groom (or brides’ partner) with each member
6. Bride with each member
7. Couple with their officiant
8. Couple with the flower girl and ring bearer

 

The family photos shot list

This part is typically time-consuming, and I highly recommend that the family members on this list are reminded about their time slot multiple times to avoid missing out on a vital heirloom photo moment. The couple must give the photographer details about their family dynamics, such as language barriers, deaths, divorces, etc. An essential tip for couples is to share the first names and that person’s relationship to them in the shot list; that way, the photographer can roll call and be specific, without confusing other people. Us photographers want to avoid, “Which Bob? The dad or the brother?”

1. Couple (names) + all parents (names)
2. Couple (names) + all parents (names) + siblings (names)
3. Couple (names) + all parents (names) + siblings (names) + siblings’ family/partner
4. Couple (names) + bride side (names)
5. Couple (names) + bride’s parents (names)
6. Couple (names) + bride’s siblings (names)
7. Couple (names) + groom side (names)
8. Couple (names) + groom’s parents (names)
9. Couple (names) + groom’s siblings (names)
10. Couple (names) + (bride/groom) grandparents (names) set 1
11. Couple (names) + (bride/groom) grandparents (names) set 1 + add their parent
12. Couple (names) + (bride/groom) grandparents (names) set 2
13. Couple (names) + (bride/groom) grandparents (names) set 2 + add their parent
14. Bride + parents
15. Bride + dad
16. Bride + mom
17. Bride + Godparents
18. Groom + parents
19. Groom + mom
20. Groom + dad
21. Groom + Godparents
22. Couple + pet
23. Couple + their children
24. A photo set of just the parents
25. A photo set of any family groupings without the couple
26. A photo set of children
27. A photo set of grandparents

 

To keep the family photos flowing quickly and efficiently during the wedding day, I tell my couples to limit their family photo list to 15 groupings per 30-minute set. If it exceeds 15 groupings, I will extend the time for family photos to two minutes per group. Any other photo groups can be captured on the dance floor at the reception.

 

I hope this helped you discover what photo group shot list you must share with your wedding photographer! Happy wedding planning 🙂