Some photographers may ask you to provide a ‘shot list’ – a list of important people and elements of the day that you want captured. This is fine if there are going to be surprises happening, for example, and you want the photographer to be ready and prepared to catch things like singing waiters or a wedding flash-mob! Bear in mind, though, that if you have done it properly and booked a professional photographer, they will be used to anticipating important moments and generally know what they should be photographing throughout the day.
Many brides create lists of dozens of group-photo combinations (all the nephews and nieces, all the aunts and uncles, grandparents, cousins, everyone with a ‘y’ in their name…) often because they think it is expected. I’ll let you into a few secrets:
Many brides create lists of dozens of group-photo combinations (all the nephews and nieces, all the aunts and uncles, grandparents, cousins, everyone with a ‘y’ in their name…) often because they think it is expected. I’ll let you into a few secrets:
1. Those endless combinations of different friends and family groups rarely make it into the final album. They don’t really contribute much to the visual story of your day and remember, you’re not doing this for everyone else – it’s about the two of you, and a celebration of your commitment to each other.
2. If you’re worried about missing anyone off the wedding photographs, take one big group shot with all your guests on it. Aim to do this immediately after the ceremony if possible, before people wander off to the bar or the toilet. That way all your guests are on at least one official photograph. Friends and family can take ‘snapshots’ on their own cameras, leaving you more time to get stunning portraits of you, the most important couple, and plenty of unposed, informal happy moments among your guests and family.
3. Couples almost always underestimate the time involved with setting up and taking photographs of small groups. Getting everyone together in the right place and looking in the same direction takes a lot longer than you might think, and then that’s doubled by other guests shouting ‘hold on’ and grabbing the shot on their own camera. Allowing just 3-5 minutes for each small group eats into a big chunk of the time between the ceremony and wedding breakfast, and the last thing we as wedding photographers want to do is feel like we’re taking up your whole day, or delaying the start of the meal. (No caterers would thank us for that!)
4. While your wedding photographer is spending time arranging and photographing small groups, he or she is potentially missing those special candid shots – the ones that really do become album favourites – children playing, family chatting, laughing and hugging, all the things that really show the emotions behind the day.
If you want to include a few small groups in your wedding photographs, try and ensure that firstly, you leave plenty of time to shoot them without compromising on your own ‘couple portraits’, and secondly, think carefully about what’s really important to you. Will you really want an image of all the aunts and uncles in your wedding album, or will a big group shot be enough of a record of who was there? Try and stick to around 5 small groups, for example: parents, bridesmaids and best man / ushers, immediate family, and best friends.
Always talk through the schedule of the day with your photographer, so that everyone knows exactly what’s expected on the day, and how much time will be needed. Over-planning is always better than under-planning!
If you’d like advice on preparing for your wedding photography, or would like to talk about your wedding plans, call the studio on 01341 28 11 93 or drop us a line to: weddings@sallymarie.co.uk. Can’t wait to hear from you!
If you’d like advice on preparing for your wedding photography, or would like to talk about your wedding plans, call the studio on 01341 28 11 93 or drop us a line to: weddings@sallymarie.co.uk. Can’t wait to hear from you!
