A family photography shot list for your wedding photographer ahead of your wedding day is essential for getting through the family photo portion of the day quickly and in an organized manner. Experienced wedding photographers will lead you through this process and will have their own style of lining up each group of shots. Each photographer has their own approach to this, but below is the process that I go through with my own couples.
This photo shot list does not include the Bride and Groom and the bridal party photo session of the day.
BRIDE’S SIDE (PARTNER A)
Estimated Time Needed: 10-20min
- Bride with mom
- Bride with dad
- Bride with both parents
- Bride with siblings
- Bride with each individual sibling (optional)
- Bride and groom with bride’s parents
- Bride and groom with bride’s immediate family (bride’s parents, siblings, and siblings’ spouses and children)
- Bride and groom with bride’s maternal grandparents
- Bride and groom with bride’s paternal grandparents
GROOM’S SIDE (PARTNER B)
Estimated Time Needed: 10-20min
- Groom with mom
- Groom with dad
- Groom with both parents
- Groom with siblings
- Groom with each individual sibling (optional)
- Groom and bride with groom’s parents
- Groom and bride with groom’s immediate family (groom’s parents, siblings, and siblings’ spouses and children)
- Groom and bride with groom’s maternal grandparents
- Groom and bride with groom’s paternal grandparents
Estimate Total Time: 20-40min. The more organized the group, you will have the shorter the estimated time. If there are missing people, large groups, people with mobility issues and young kids, you may want to err on later estimated total time.
ADDITIONAL GROUP SHOT LIST
Estimated Time: 10-15min
- Bride and Groom Parents Both Sides
- Bride and Groom with Both Sides of the family together
- Cousins
- Groom Extended Family (Aunts/Uncles/Cousins/Close Family Friends)
- Bride Extended Family (Aunts/Uncles/Cousins/Close Family Friends)
- Girls Shot
- High School Friends
- College Friends – Guys/ Girls / All
- Everyone * (Not all photographers can handle this – check with your photographer)
