How to Create your Wedding Day Shot List (+freebee)

 

Hey everyone! Welcome to this week’s Bridal Banter where today we’re talking all about Shot Lists. You’re probably asking, what is a shot list? Great question!

I always ask my brides to create a shot list for me for their wedding day. A Shot List is a list of all the possible combinations of family members that the bride and groom would want for taking family portraits before/ after the ceremony. Bam!

Having this list of combos makes everything SO MUCH EASIER! With a list, as a photographer, no one is left out, and the time set aside for family pictures runs smoothly and more efficiently. I can not stress enough how important it is to have this list!

You don’t want to look back on your wedding day and kick yourself in the booty because you didn’t make a list and forgot about Great Grandma Bernie. Trust me, a list helps!

Even with putting together all your combos, then you’ll have a better idea of who all you need to coordinate with to make sure they all are either at the venue at a certain time before the ceremony, or coordinate where to meet right after.

As a wedding photographer, I of course will keep track of all the combos and make sure every memory is captured with all your ancestors. To keep everyone on track, on schedule, and calm, a Shot List is a must!

I love to tell my brides that I am considered a ‘ninja’ photographer; meaning I stay in the background and get awesome candid shots during the reception (and also try to be sneaky during the ceremony), but during the family portraits, I am like a momma bear! I make sure that we stay on schedule, get all the combos wanted, and keep everyone happy and focused on what combo is next. We can also do cheek exercises to make sure your cheeks don’t hurt too much from smiling 🙂

So today, I have put together a free-bie of an example Shot List! If you ever get stuck or forget about what a shot list is, feel free to download this PDF as a reference. It is a VERY simple layout of all the possible traditional combinations, but still could help!

Wedding Shot List-Freebie!

I hope this week’s Banter was helpful with figuring out what a Shot List is and the importance of one. If you have any questions concerning a list or how you can work a ton of family combos into your wedding day schedule, just email me and we can chat!

Until next week, friends! Thanks for reading through the SJ’s Bridal Banter!