If you're starting to plan photos for your wedding day and feeling overwhelmed, don't worry, that's completely normal! Creating a wedding photo list ahead of time is one of the best things you can do to make the most of your time on your wedding day and take a little stress off your plate. So in this post, I’m sharing all of my best tips to help you out!
Building Your Wedding Photo List
Before your wedding day arrives, sit down and think through the photos that matter most to you.
Will you want getting-ready shots? A champagne toast with your wedding party before the ceremony? A first look with your partner? Jotting these ideas down ahead of time will help ensure your photography coverage lines up with your vision, and it gives your photographer a clear picture of what you're hoping for!
{And if you’re having trouble with these decisions, I have a few additional posts that will help you! Check out Should You Do a First Look, Preparing for Getting Ready Photos, and Wedding Timeline Tips.}
Don't be afraid to ask questions along the way, either. As wedding photographers, we are very used to walking couples through this process, and a quick phone call can go a long way in helping you sort things out!
Family Portraits
Family portraits are one of the most important parts of your wedding photo list to think through in advance. The length of your family portrait list directly affects how much time you'll spend in front of the camera, so it's worth taking some time to think through.
As your photographer, I'll personally touch base with you before your wedding to gather family names and help you build out that list together. If family portraits are a big priority for you, no worries! You don’t need to skip anyone, just know that a longer list may mean you don’t get to attend cocktail hour right away.
However, if it’s important to you to attend cocktail hour to spend that time with your guests, then I typically recommend keeping your list to parents, siblings, and grandparents as a guide.
Another thing you can do is once you have your list, run it by a parent, sibling, or close friend before finalizing it. A fresh set of eyes can catch combinations you might have overlooked.
For instance, maybe you listed a portrait with your parents, but didn’t think to include individual shots with each parent. A second set of eyes can help you catch things like this that you may not have thought of! (And as it gets closer to your wedding, you may find yourself in a bit of a decision fatigue brain fog, so it can’t hurt to enlist some help!)
Communication Is Key When Planning Your Wedding Photo List
Every couple is different, and we always want to know your priorities and concerns ahead of time.
If you're someone who likes a lot of guidance and direction, just say so. We're very used to it and genuinely happy to help! If you're more independent but just want a nudge to sit up straight every now and then, that's great to know, too.
The more you communicate your goals and comfort level, the smoother your wedding day photography will go. Planning a wedding is a lot, especially in those final few months, and it's easy to feel mentally stretched thin. Getting your photo plan in place and out of the way means one less thing on your mind as the big day approaches.
New Hampshire Wedding Photographer
When you book with me, we'll work through all of this together! I love helping my couples feel prepared and excited going into their wedding day, so I’m always available to answer any questions or talk through anything on your mind.
Planning a New Hampshire wedding and still searching for your photographer? I’d love to meet you! Reach out through my contact form and let's talk about your wedding vision!
Wedding venue featured in this post: The Barn on the Pemi
