Group Shot List
Traditional Element
Group photographs still play an important part in today’s wedding photography and should not be overlooked. These photographs are elegantly posed, evenly lit and include the most important people attending your wedding. However, I am not a traditional wedding photographer and I work to capture your wedding day naturally by quietly observing, anticipating and capturing those real time moments that tell the story of your wedding. These images are at the core of what I do, therefore, it goes against everything you see on my website and sample albums to supply me a large group shot list.
Most Important People
When it comes to compiling your group shot list, I recommend you create a list of around 5 core group photographs which include the most important people at your wedding. For planning purposes, you should budget around 4 minutes per group to account for delays due to organization or availability of guests. In most cases 20 minutes is enough time to complete these photographs.
What I do not recommend is attempting to have your photograph with every auntie, uncle, cousin and all their families. Instead, my approach is have your core group shot list, with your most important people (immediate family and bridal party), then once these photographs are complete and you are mingling and enjoying your day, I take lots of informal group photographs that include as many as your guests as possible. My aim to photograph every one of your guests, however please bear in mind, some people do try their best to avoid me!
Please view (and feel free to copy, paste and edit) a typical group shot list below. Obviously not every family is straightforward (my own included) but this is what I recommend. If parents have remarried and you require a second ‘immediate family’ photo or more than one B&G with parents, then of course that is fine. Just write it down on your list and try to keep it to immediate family and bridal party.
Typical Group Shot List
B&G with everyone
B&G with bridesmaids, best man & usher
Rebekah, Charis, Brodie, Emma, Samuel, Luke and David
B&G with bride’s immediate family
David, Lesley, Rebekah, Samuel, John (Rebeka’s Husband) Malita (niece) and Noah (nephew) Grandparents (Robin & Lydia, Myra
B&G bride’s with parents and siblings
David & Lesley, Rebekah, Samuel
B&G with both parents & siblings
David & Lesley, Rebekah, Samuel, William & Jean, Fraser, Luke
B&G with both parents
David & Lesley, William & Jean
B&G with groom’s Immediate family
William, Jean, Fraser, Luke, Grandparents (Sam and Kate)
B&G with groom’s parents and siblings
William & Jean, Fraser, Luke