Creating a Wedding Family Photo Shot List
A little bit of prep helps your family photos go quickly & smoothly, so you can get back to your party!
Family photos are essential, and depending on the size of both of your families, there might be quite a few photos to get through. For this reason, a well-designed shot list is essential to getting important group photos done quickly and thoughtfully so you can get back to your party!
The following sample shot list is intentionally exhaustive and may not apply to all families, but I hope it makes compiling your list easier. I've organized the suggested groupings in the way that I find is most efficient (generally going from large to small groupings) to avoid folks waiting around for a single photo.
I suggest keeping your list as concise as possible (20ish photos is typically a good maximum, though less is ideal) both due to time constraints and because you’ll likely want a photo break––smiling for a long time can be hard!
SAMPLE SHOT LIST
Couple w/ the Officiant
Couple w/ Flower Girl and/or Ring Bearer
Couple w/ full wedding party including flower girl/ring bearer (other wedding party photos taken separately)
Couple w/ both immediate families
Spouse 1's Side
Couple w/ Spouse 1's Maternal Extended Family
Couple w/ Spouse 1's Maternal Grandparent(s)
Spouse 1 w/ Spouse 1's Maternal Grandparent(s)
Couple w/ Spouse 1's Paternal Extended Family
Couple w/ Spouse 1's Paternal Grandparent(s)
Spouse 1 w/ Spouse 1's Paternal Grandparent(s)
Couple w/ Spouse 1's Immediate Family (no partners/significant others)
Add in partners
Couple w/ Spouse 1's siblings
Spouse 1 w/ Spouse 1's siblings
Couple w/ Spouse 1's Parents
Spouse 1 w/ Spouse 1's parents
Spouse 1 w/ mom
Spouse 1 w/ dad
Spouse 2's Side
Couple w/ Spouse 2's Maternal Extended Family
Couple w/ Spouse 2's Maternal Grandparent(s)
Spouse 2 w/ Spouse 2's Maternal Grandparent(s)
Couple w/ Spouse 2's Paternal Extended Family
Couple w/ Spouse 2's Paternal Grandparent(s)
Spouse 2 w/ Spouse 2's Paternal Grandparent(s)
Couple w/ Spouse 2's Immediate Family (no partners/significant others)
Add in partners
Couple w/ Spouse 2's siblings
Spouse 2 w/ Spouse 2's siblings
Couple w/ Spouse 2's Parents
Spouse 2 w/ Spouse 2's parents
Spouse 2 w/ mom
Spouse 2 w/ dad
Other Photos
Any other important groupings? This may include a big group photo, other extended family, friend groups and/or close family friends.
Please keep in mind…
TIMING - Family photos typically take place immediately after the ceremony at the ceremony venue. If your room needs to be "flipped" or if you are at a church that is having service soon, you might only have 20 minutes for photos.
ORDER - You'll want to bump up any photos with small children, those with disabilities, or elderly folks who may need to rest. That way, they can be quickly dismissed from photos once their portion is complete.
OTHER PHOTOS - This time is for portraits with your family members and closest loved ones. Wedding party photos will be taken separately, and you can take more casual group photos with friends during your reception.