Family Shot List for Wedding Days
Does the idea of creating a family portrait shot list make you want to close your laptop and never look back? The feeling of wanting to make sure you include everyone, but also wanting to work with a timeline is enough to really kill the planning mood. This post is going to break down how to create a wedding day portrait shot list (with an example!) and pro tips to help this part of your day be stress free.
How can I make a portrait list for my wedding?
Consider the amount of time you have, and think of how important portraits are to you. Some brides want a portrait with the immediate family and a few other close friends, while others want to work through groupings with all close family members. Do what works best for your family dynamic! There is no right or wrong way to do things.
I will say that the more people you add to your list, of course the more time you will need, and the more people we will be working to gather and rally during portraits. Remember that for each grouping we will need to call their name, pose the grouping, and take the picture. This time will add up!
My suggestion? Keep it to 12-15 groupings.
Who should I include on my family portrait shot list?
Let’s use this list as an example. Think of your parents, siblings, grandparents, and other extended family members. Think of this as a guide or something to jumpstart your thinking. Not every family dynamic is the same, and we can combine groupings to make this list “smaller” while including everyone.
The following list is a guide on how I help my brides select their list for family portraits. Before you read it and think “VICTORIA-that is not 12-15 groupings?!”. I know, I know! Think of this as a way to formulate your thinking. What shots from this list do you HAVE to have? Are there some that would be nice if we have extra time?
Below it I provided a condensed example, a final product if you will.
Parents Wedding Photo List
Couple + Partner One’s Parents
Partner One + Partner One’s Parents
Partner One + Each Parent Separately
Partner One + Parent + Stepparent, if applicable
Partner Two + Partner Two’s Parents
Couple + Partner Two’s Parents
Partner Two + Each Parent Separately
Couple + Both Sets of Parents
Partner Two + Parent + Stepparent, if applicable
Couple + Both Sets of Parents + Stepparent
Siblings Wedding Photo List
Couple + Partner One’s Siblings
Partner One + Partner One’s Sister(s)
Partner One’s + Partner One’s Brother(s)
Couple + Partner One’s Parents + Partner One’s Siblings
Couple + Partner Two’s Siblings
Partner Two +Partner Two’s Sister(s)
Partner Two + Partner Two’s Brother(s)
Couple + Partner Two’s Parents + Partner Two’s Siblings
Couple + All Parents + Siblings
Grandparents Wedding Photo List
Couple + Partner One’s Grandparents
Partner One + Partner One’s Grandma(s)
Partner One + Partner One’s Grandpa(s)
Couple + Partner Two’s Grandparents
Partner Two + Partner Two’s Grandma(s)
Partner Two + Partner Two’s Grandpa(s)
Couple + All Grandparents
Couple + Partner One’s Parents + Partner One’s Siblings + Partner One’s Grandparents
Couple + Partner Two’s Parents + Partner Two’s Siblings + Partner Two’s Grandparents
Couple + All Parents, Siblings, and Grandparents
Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins Wedding Photo List
Couple + Partner One’s Parents + Partner One’s Siblings + Partner One’s Grandparents + Partner One’s Aunt(s) + Partner One’s Uncle(s) + Partner One’s Cousins
Couple + Partner Two’s Parents + Partner Two’s Siblings + Partner Two’s Grandparents + Partner Two’s Aunt(s) + Partner Two’s Uncle(s) + Partner Two’s Cousins
Narrow down your list
A completed list will look more like:
Bride and Groom with Bride’s Parents
Bride and Groom with Bride’s Siblings
Bride and Groom with Bride’s Parents and Siblings
Bride and Groom with Bride’s Parents and Groom’s Parents
Bride and Groom with Bride’s Parents, Siblings, and Extended Family
Bride and Groom with Groom’s Siblings
Bride and Groom with Groom’s Parents and Siblings
Bride and Groom with Groom’s Parents
Bride and Groom with Groom’s Parents, Siblings, and Extended Family
Groom’s Parents Alone
Bride’s Parents Alone
Pro Tips
Now that we have made the list, let’s talk about how to make this part of the day go smoothly.
- Designate a bridal party member or a family member to help. We will work together to craft the perfect list, but having someone who knows everyone and can help make sure they are ready while I shoot will make things go so much faster!
- Tell everyone beforehand. Make sure if they are on the list, they know! Also make sure they know where they need to be and when. This will eliminate downtime while having to search for people.
- Try to keep the bride and groom in every image following the ceremony. Wanting pictures with just one partner is absolutely fine, but let’s schedule those before the ceremony to help with time and repetition.
- Pick a location in advanced. Have a rough idea of where you would like portraits. If you are unsure or want advice from your photographer, that is more than fine! Just be sure to let them know so they can build in time to plan and walk the venue if they have not worked there before.
- Stay focused! This is such an exciting time. Friends and family may come up during portraits and it is so tempting to jump in a photo with them! During this time, it is important that we stick to our list, but we can always take pictures with others while you celebrate during the reception or add it to the end of this list. Jumping around on your list or adding in the moment may cause a grouping you wanted to get missed.
Let’s do this!
Now you are ready to rock family portraits on your wedding day like a pro! If you’re ready to book a wedding photographer, I would love to talk more! Reach out on my contact page. I cannot wait to learn more about you and your love story!
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