Are you looking for a wedding day shot list for photographers? I’ve got you covered! If you’re anything like me, you like taking a peek behind-the-scenes of other photographers’ businesses to see how they do things. Wedding day shot lists are no different! Are there any specific things that seasoned photographers capture that you might not have thought of?! While I’ve never used a shot list (except for family portraits), I do have a mental list that I unconsciously follow at every single weeding. It’s become sort of a routine for me to look for opportunities to capture specific shots. I call these the “traditional” or “must have” shots. Once I feel confident that I’ve captured the classic shots every wedding should have, I use the remaining time to get creative and take shots that are unique to each wedding.
Wedding Day Shot List for Photographers
Location/Scenery
- Outside photo of each location: getting ready, ceremony, and reception space (venue, tent, greenhouse, etc.)
- Any signs that have the location name/logo (hotel name/emblem, bridal quarters, venue sign, etc.)
- Any detail shots that are part of the permanent setting (architecture or floral details, etc.)
Detail Shots
- Dress
- Shoes
- Bouquet
- Invitation Suite
- Rings (all three)
- Earrings
- Any additional bridal details (perfume, jewelry, something old, borrowed or blue, etc.)
- Groom details if they have them (shoes, tie, cufflinks, belt, socks, boutonniere, etc.)
- I take individual shots of each of these, then I style them as flat lays
Getting Ready Shots
- Behind-the-scene makeup shot
- Bride & Bridesmaids robe shot (if they are wearing matching robes/outfits)
- Mom zipping up the dress
- Bride putting her earrings on
- Bride putting her shoes on
- Bride by herself in the getting ready room (usually by the window)
First-Look Shots
- Bride walking towards groom
- Groom’s reaction
- First moments together (candid shots)
Bridal Party Portraits
1. Bride & Groom in the middle, bridesmaids on one side and groomsmen on the other
- Looking at the camera
- Looking at the person next to them and laughing
- Bride & Groom kissing while everyone cheers
2. Bride & Groom in the middle, bridesmaids and groomsmen alternate (boy-girl-boy-girl)
- Looking at the camera
- Looking at the person next to them and laughing
- Bride & Groom kissing while everyone cheers
- Walking towards camera and laughing
Bride & Bridesmaids Portraits
- Standing in a straight line, leaning forward and looking at the camera
- Standing in a straight line smiling at each other
- Walking towards the camera and laughing
- Bride with each bridesmaid
- Detail shot of bouquets together
Groom & Groomsmen Portraits
- Standing in a straight line looking at the camera
- Standing in a straight line smiling at each other
- Walking towards the camera and laughing
- Groom with each groomsmen
- Flying V pose
Family Formals
Immediate family only (grandparents, parents, siblings and spouses)
- Bride & Groom with Grandparents
- Bride with each Grandparent
- Bride & Groom with Parents
- Bride with each Parent
- Bride & Groom with Siblings
- Bride with each sibling
- Bride with all siblings
- Mom and Dad together (if still married)
(same will be repeated for Groom’s side)
Bride & Groom Portraits
- Classic portrait, arms around each other looking at the camera
- Facing each other, foreheads together
- Walking towards the camera, to the side, and away from the camera
- Veil pose (if the bride is wearing a long veil)
Bride Shots
- Close-up hair and makeup shots
- Classic looking at the camera portrait (full length)
- Back of the dress shot (full length)
Groom Shots
- Close-up boutonniere shot
- Classic looking at the camera portrait (full length)
- Fixing tie & cufflinks shot
Ceremony
- Wide ceremony decor shot
- Altar/arch shot
- Any details or decorations (chairs, floral arrangements, programs, signs, etc.)
- Bridal party and family members walking down the aisle
- Bride walking down the aisle (front and back shot)
- Groom’s reaction
- Wide ceremony shot with guests
- Vow exchanges
- Ring exchanges
- First kiss
- Walking down the aisle (B&G, bridal party, family)
Cocktail Hour
- Appetizer table (charcuterie boards, etc.)
- People mingling (particularly immediate family members)
- Trays of food passing by
Reception
- Wide shot of entire room
- Full table shots
- Centerpiece shots
- Place setting shot from above
- Sweetheart table
- Cake
- Gift table
- Dessert table
- Additional reception decor (seating chart, etc.)
- Bride & Groom first dance
- Father-daughter and mother-son dances
- Speeches
- Table shots of guests
- Guests dancing
- Bride & Groom talking to guests
- Bride & Groom on the dance floor
- Parents dancing or talking to guests
- Cake cutting
- Exit
And there you have it! My mental wedding day shot list written down so that you can get a glimpse of what’s going on through my head as I’m photographing a wedding. The reason why I’m able to move so fast on a wedding day (even when things run behind) is because I know exactly what shots I need to take and when to take them. Once I get these out of the way, I can get creative and photograph the wedding day as it unfolds. What’s on your wedding day shot list?
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Tips for Shooting Your First Wedding Part 1
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