What Is A Wedding Photography Shot List?

What Is A Wedding Photography Shot List | Should You Have One?

One of the things that makes wedding photography challenging is the need to capture each moment as it happens. There are dozens of “must have” shots that simply cannot be missed. One of the things that many Wedding Photographers and clients may choose to do is to come up with a “shot list.” And a shot list is exactly what it sounds like. A list of all of the shots you want your Wedding Photographer to capture on your wedding day. With this approach, there are definitely pros and cons. In the paragraphs below, I will explain what is a wedding photography shot list – and whether or not you should have one on your wedding day.

Whether You Have A Shot List Or Not, You MUST Be Organized

Perhaps the main reason to have a shot list is to ensure nothing is missed. In most situations, lists are easy to create and follow. For example, a grocery list or a work to-do list. You just come up with a list and cross them off as you do what needs to be done. While this may be a practical approach in most situations, it may not be the best approach on your wedding day. In my experience shooting weddings, anything that takes away from being in the moment can potentially result in missing important shots. Weddings are very fast paced – and a Photographer must be in the moment to be able to capture it.

But not having a list does not mean that you and your Wedding Photographer are not organized. I recommend meeting 2-4 weeks before your wedding day to discuss your wedding timeline and what is most important to capture. For example, if you plan on wearing “something borrowed or something new” – I like to know this beforehand. But not everyone will choose to have this on their wedding day.

You Should Never Try To Copy Someone Else’s Wedding

Another reason why working off of a wedding photography shot list may not be ideal is because it limits creativity. When working with a couple on their wedding, I like to keep an open mind. I do not want to have predetermined shots in mind. Because in my experience, each couple and their wedding are unique. Even if I have shot many weddings at a particular location, I try not to just get the same exact shots for each couple. I like to have a good understanding on what I would like to capture on your wedding day. But I do not like to try and make something work for you that may have worked well for another couple.

Shot Lists Can Lead To Disappointment

One of the unintended consequences of a shot list is that it can lead to disappointment. Weddings are very fast paced and sometimes things do not go 100% as planned. For example, your hair and make up may go 30 minutes longer than you expected. Or the limo driver’s car may break down. It may even rain on your wedding day! Sometimes these things are out of your control. Little things like this can cause shots that you really wanted to capture to be impossible. If you get to the end of the wedding and there are several shots that were not able to be captured, it can lead to disappointment on both the Wedding Photographer’s and Client’s end.

You Should ALWAYS List The Formal Posed Groups

While I prefer not to work off of shot lists, I definitely recommend listing the formal/posed groups. This is actually VERY important! The posed group photos with your close friends and family are shots you will always cherish. Making sure that these are listed before the wedding is critical. And I bring a physical copy of this on with me to the wedding. During this part of the day, things are much slower paced; and so working off of a list is more practical.

Make Sure To Communicate With Your Photographer Throughout Your Wedding Day

One of the things I make sure to do throughout your wedding day is to check in with you. For example, if you are taking getting ready photos at a hotel, I like to ask if there are any shots that we did not get that you’d like before I leave to go to the venue. Most times the answer is no – but there are definitely times where there is a shot or two that clients want. I like to do the same thing as the end of the wedding day approaches. Make sure to communicate throughout the day, with your Wedding Photographer, on shots that come up that you want captured 😉

Hopefully this gives you a good understanding of what is a wedding photography shot list 🙂 If you are planning a wedding – I would love to connect with you. The best way to reach me is through the contact form on my website. A quick email ([email protected]) also works well. Thanks!