Photo Checklists
It can be overwhelming, when figuring out what you want on your photo checklist — and more importantly — how to communicate that to your photographer.
While we are here to capture what’s important, it’s crucial for us to document the day as it unfolds. That means, we need to plan ahead and have simple notes versus long, clunky lists.
Writing all of your wants into one list can be confusing to keep track of. To help simplify, we like to break things up into three separate lists:
Timeline
1. Timeline
You probably have already thought about the schedule of your day, but did you know that some items you have on your shot list might be better suited for your photography timeline?
Instead of adding, “first dance” or “grand entrance” on your shot list, add it with the scheduled time to your timeline.
People
2. People
Want to make sure you have portraits with specific family members and friends?
To keep things on track, schedule out a period in your timeline and put together your top 10-15 combos (e.g. 1. All grandparents, 2. With siblings + parents, etc.)
Free Worksheets:
Tips.
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Inform family members before your wedding day to be available for photos and at wait time/part of the day. That way there’s no waiting on Uncle Joe, or sister disappearing to cocktail hour.
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Having first names helps us to quickly call people to step in for photos.
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Try prioritizing photos with the most important people in your lives. We will have limited time with your family, so decide who you want in the formals and who you are ok with having photos with later in the night.
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Do you want photos with your family at the ceremony site? Or maybe another location at your venue? Plan with us ahead of time to find an open space where we can ask everyone to meet.
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Set aside 30 - 45 minutes in the day for photos. We try being quick, but we like having some wiggle room.
Photos before or after the ceremony are the best times in the day.
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If you decide to have photos directly after the ceremony, ask your officiant to request family to stay in the area or to make their way to the selected photo spot.
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Do you have family members who don’t get along and can’t be in the same photo or stand next to each other? Communicate that to us, and we’ll steer clear of any awkward placements.
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If there’s someone in your family who can’t stand long or walk far, let us know so we can take their photos first and let them go rest.
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By prioritizing your combos, we can make sure that’s taken care of first. That way, someone doesn’t suggest “ what about a photo with __+ __?.” We can gently let them know that we need to get through what we have on the list, and if there’s time we can take more photos afterwards.
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While crafting your list, specify the exact variations you want. Example: If you want photos individually with each parent, write “You + Parent #1 + Parent #2, You + Parent #1, You + Parent #2.” Instead of just “You + parents.”
Must Haves
3. “Must Haves”
We like calling shot lists “Must Haves” lists, because it’s a reminder of what matters the most to you and your wedding. General things like “first kiss,” “exchanging vows,” etc. are shots that we always take. We’ll make sure we photograph all those key moments, and how the day naturally unfolds.
What we want to make note of is all the little things that are unique to your love story, and we might not know about. Maybe you have a decoration that references an inside joke. Maybe you plan on incorporating a culturally significant tradition. Take some time to reflect on what has a personal connection to you and your hunny.
Free Worksheets: