Wedding Shot List | Daria Koso

Now that you’ve decided on a wedding photographer and settled on a style, the next step is creating a wedding photography shot list. While you don’t have to be versed in photographer “talk”, like wide shots or close ups, you can give your wedding photographer examples of the kinds of photos you’d like. Being specific with the shots you’d like will help your photographer, too. They’re going in with a map, rather than just grabbing shots on the fly. Here are some shots you should consider adding to your wedding photography shot list.

The Finer Details

Sometimes, it’s the little touches that can make your wedding day special. You’ve put a lot of hard work into planning your wedding, like picking out the table settings, the invitations, the flowers, and the decor. It’s a good idea, then, to have your wedding photographer document all the wedding details so you can look back years later and appreciate everything that went into this special day.

Think about having close-up shots of the following:

Wedding rings
Table settings
Reception space
Wedding bands
Altar decorations
Wedding shoes

Preparations

You may not think twice about including the preparations in your wedding photo shot list, but you should! This is where everything comes together, and you want your wedding photographer to capture it. Think of it as the backstage moments before a televised ceremony begins. Have your wedding photographer team capture:

The bridge getting ready
The groom getting ready
The family arriving
The bridesmaid having their hair and makeup done
The groomsmen getting dressed
The flowers and decor being set up

Remember that even though you give your wedding photographer a must have wedding shot list, they may throw in a few additional creative shots as well.

The Pre-Ceremony

You may be flustered and forget about capturing the pre-ceremony, but your wedding photographer won’t! Just hand the list over to the photography team and let them handle the rest. Some pre-ceremonies involve the bridesmaids and groomsmen rehearsing. Others may include an intimate rehearsal dinner. If you want your entire wedding story documented, have a photographer capture your pre-ceremony events. It’s a small part of the larger story, but it has its place.

The Ceremony

The ceremony is, of course, the heart of your wedding. This is what all your guests have come to witness. It goes without saying that every detail of the ceremony should be captured: from the flower girl and the bride’s father walking her down the aisle to the actual exchange of rings and the wedding vows.

To get the best coverage, try to hire a wedding photographer with a second shooter (or even a third shooter). While the photographer focuses on the couple, the second shooter can focus on the family members, and the third shooter can focus on the guests. A wedding is full of separate stories unfolding all at once, and multiple photographers can help ensure that nothing is missed.

This all sounds overwhelming, which is why it’s essential that you have a wedding shot list for your photographer. The list of photos can include:

The father of the bride walking her down the aisle
The groom walking down the aisle
The exchange of vows
The exchange of rings
Signing the marriage certificate
The bridesmaids gathered together
The groomsmen gathered together
The kiss after the pronouncement
The married couple walking back up the aisle

While this list is important, you should also include reaction shots. Family members and friends will be teary-eyed, and their emotions captured on camera are wonderful moments. Here are some additional shots you may want to add to your wedding shot list:

Parents of the bride reaction shots
Parents of the groom reaction shots
Children’s reaction shots
Close friends and siblings’ reaction shots

Portrait Shots

After the ceremony and before the celebrations begin, the wedding photographer should gather the couple together for portrait shots. This is also an ideal time for a bridesmaid as well as a groomsmen portrait shot. Additional shots to put on your list include the couple with family members, the couple with close friends, and the couple with any children. If you have extended family or a non-traditional family setup, get these portrait shots, too.

The Reception

The reception kicks off with an important moment: the cutting of the cake. Have your wedding photographer get a shot of the wedding cake before it gets sliced. You chose a beautiful wedding cake for a reason, and you’ll want to remember how beautiful it looked. After the cake-cutting ceremony, there’s the couple’s first dance. While this may seem to cover everything, this is just the tip of the reception for wedding photographers.

Here are some additional shots you can include:

Father dancing with bride
Mother dancing with groom
Parents dancing
Bridesmaids dancing
Groomsmen dancing
Family members dancing
Children dancing/sleeping/eating
Musicians or DJs

Don’t worry if your list feels long. Always aim for more shots and more coverage rather than less.

The Bouquet Toss

While the bouquet toss is part of the reception, it’s such a cherished tradition that it deserves its own section. Make sure to alert your photographer when the toss is going to take place so they’re prepared to capture the moment. Plus, if they’re ready (with their camera settings, flash, and tripod), an experienced wedding photographer can capture some amazing shots.

Now that you have a detailed shot list for wedding photographers, discuss it with them to see if they have additional input. You may be pleasantly surprised by the ideas they can bring to the table.

More on Wedding Photography

If you’re planning your wedding, here are some helpful articles that can help you choose the perfect wedding photographer:

Need a Miami-based professional photographer to shoot your wedding? Check out Daria Koso wedding portfolio, and contact her for more info.