I’m here to tell you how to make a wedding shot list for your photographer!

Okay so you’re wondering how to make a wedding shot list for your wedding photographer. Either you have no idea what a shot-list is, or you know what it is but are not sure of everything to include on it. I’m here to help you either way. I’m going to give you tips on how to make a shot-list that is both reasonable and easy for you and your photographer to understand.

There are 3 big rules to keep in mind when planning a shot-list for any moment of the day –

Rule #1 – Be Specific

Okay, what I mean by be specific, is that if there is something that you spent a lot of time on and don’t want it to be missed, write it down! I’m talking about anything that isn’t a major note-worthy “moment” for the wedding itself. Your wedding photographer will know to get photos of your venue, your centerpieces, your decorations. However, if there is a specific element that was either gifted to you, or is outside of the norm of typical wedding decor, make sure to add it to your shot list.

An example of this could be, you hand-wrote letters for all of your guests to leave it at their place at the table. Letting your photographer know of this, will help them make sure that it does not go un-captured. Another example is, you really want your mom to zip up your dress, but your best friend to put on your shoes. Feel free to specify this on your shot list!

Rule #2 – Less is More

Efficiency is so important on a wedding day. Your photographer wants to be able to breeze through all the shots your want, without interrupting your experience. Providing a shot-list that is specific but as short as possible, will ensure that time is most efficiently spent. Also know that this is not your wedding photographers first wedding. They know to get shots of the ceremony, the first kiss, bride and groom photos. You don’t want to make the list so long, that it impedes on your photographers process of reading the items you want captured outside of what is expected.

Rule #3 – Think About Your Timeline

Photos take time. As a wedding photographer, I don’t want the majority of your wedding day to be spent taking photos. I know you do not want that either! It’s important that your shot-list adheres to the timeline that you have worked on with your vendors. We are here to tell you when the best time for things might be, so we can incorporate that into your timeline. One thing to consider, though, is to ensure we have enough time budgeted for the moments you want captured.

For example, first looks. We need to have time allocated before the ceremony to have those. Another item is family photos, think that the more groupings you have on your family shot-list, the longer time spent taking photos.

I’m now going to break down each moment of the day and give you some insight into what to include in the shot-list.

Details

Because we’re on a mission to be short and concise, think of items outside of your typical wedding details that you want captured. Think family heirlooms, gifts from your spouse, etc. Remember, these are things you want to make sure are NOT forgotten. Leave the creativity up to your photographer.

Your shot-list for your details photos could look like this:

• Custom veil
• Moms earrings

Getting Ready

If you want specific people helping you get ready, be sure to include that on your shot list. Another good thing to include, is anything that you may have custom made for the wedding. This is the time to get it.

An example shot list for getting ready photos:

• (Name) zipping up dress
• (Name) putting on shoes
• Groomsmen custom socks

First Look/First Touch

First looks are pretty self-explanatory. For the most part, you don’t need to be specific about what shots you want here. Your photographer will know what to capture. However, if you will be exchanging gifts during this time and want photos of that, you can write that down.

Example:

• Exchanging gifts

Ceremony

Most ceremonies are pretty similar in the fact that there is an officiant, words and rings are exchanged, and a first kiss happens. If there is a tradition or even a very specific shot of your ceremony that you want captured, make sure that it is notated for your photographer!

An example of specific shots you want during your ceremony:

• Memory chair for passed loved one
• First kiss, but with the audience in the back
• Dogs walking down

Family Portraits

Family photos after the ceremony can be really stressful, or it can be easy breezy. The most important things to keep in mind for family photos after the ceremony, is being SPECIFIC and SHORT. Yes, we’ve mentioned that in the other parts of our day, but it’s especially crucial for family photos. Most of the time after the ceremony ends, everyone is ready to celebrate and party! I totally get that!! However, we need to knock out some essential family photos before we can do that. I promise that the more specific and short you are with your family shot-list, the sooner we can get to partying!

Getting all of your family nearby can be like herding cats. That’s why it can be super helpful to include only immediate family, and providing me with everyones names to call out.
Also, when it comes to being specific, list out every single person you want a photo with AND the different combinations! This way, you aren’t looking back the next day thinking “We really should have gotten a photo with (name)”. I don’t want that for you!

Here’s an example of how to list out your family photos so that your photographer can get through them quickly –

• Bride + Groom + Lydia (Brides Mom)
• Bride + Groom + Luke (Brides Dad)
• Bride + Groom + Lydia + Luke
• Bride + Groom + Lydia + Luke + Lyla (Brides Sister) + Leslie (Brides Sister)
• Bride + Groom + Janie (Grooms Mom)
• Bride + Groom + Jacob (Grooms Dad)
• Bride + Groom + Janie + Jacob
• Bride + Groom + Janie + Jacob + Jessica (Grooms Sister) + James (Grooms Brother)
• Bride + Groom + Lydia + Luke + Lyla + Leslie + Janie + Jacob + Jessica + James
• Bride + Lydia
• Bride + Luke
• Groom + Janie
• Groom + Jacob

Bride & Groom Portraits

Couples portraits is really your photographers time to shines. Trust them to get creative and get the best shots of you. If there’s a very specific shot you want of the two of you, however, feel free to include it.

• Under Veil
• In front of Church

Reception

This is really your time to unwind and enjoy your wedding day with your family and friends. For the most part, there is no need for a shot-list here. Your photographer will be there and knows to get photos of the first dances, the toasts, the cake cutting, etc. The only specific thing you could add here, is something you have planned and want to be sure there’s photos of.

Example of specific reception activities:

• Mariachi band
• Hora (Jewish Weddings)
• Anniversary Dance
• Choreographed dances
• Bubble Exit

To wrap it up…

I hope this post was helpful when thinking of how to make your wedding shot-list! I think to sum it up, being short and specific is key! Let your photographer have creative control of getting everything else. We got you!! And we genuinely cannot wait to see how your big day turns out. We love what we do, so you will be sure to see that when you look back at your final gallery.🩷

If for any reason this article left you with questions, or are still needing help with your shot-list, feel free to reach out to me!! You can email me at caitlinxwood@gmail.com

If you’re still looking for a photographer, I would love to talk with you!! Fill out a Contact Form.

All images in this post belong to Caitlin Wood Photography LLC. If you want to see more of my work, check out my Portfolio.