Family Photo Lists
In the questionnaire that I send you about 3 months before the wedding, I'm going to ask you for a family photo list. This guide will go over why I ask for a list and give you some sample family photo lists.
What is a family photo list?
A family photo list outlines specific family wedding photos you and your fiance want to be sure and take during the wedding. This list will include the exact combinations of family members that you want photos of, for example: Partner 1 + Partner 1 + Partner 1's parents, Partner 1 + Partner 1's siblings, couple + both sets of grandparents. A family photo list makes sure that we make the most of that time and ensures that you get photos with everyone that you want to.
How to make your family photo list
When creating your family photo list, I recommend sitting down with your fiance and talking about which family photos are important to each of you. Think about who is going to be at the wedding, and which combinations of people you want photos of.
Write everything down and then finalize a list When creating your list for me, try to write it like the sample below. Include whether or not each couple, or both are included in each combination. If there are any specific poses you want to do, include that too!
Why do I ask for a list?
The main reason I ask for a list is because I want to make sure that YOU get all the family photos that you want. I do not know all the different family photo combinations that you want taken at your wedding. The family photo list is basically a check list for me to ensure that we get all of the important family photos, but it also makes the photo process easier for you too.
Here's what usually happens at the wedding:
After the ceremony, it will be time for family photos. If I have a list, I will pull out the list and start going down the list and directing the different combinations of people into position for photos. If I don't have a list, I will look at you and ask who you want photos with. There is a lot going on already on a wedding day, and your brain will have to scramble to think of everyone you want photos with in the next 30-ish minutes. There is a good chance that you will forget a combination of family members that you will wish you had a photo of. While I have a general idea of family photo combinations, I will not automatically know that you want a photo of the one partner with her brother and uncle (for example).
A photo list allows you to really think through who you want photos of, and makes it easier for everyone on the wedding day.
Family + Guest Photo List Examples
Here are some combination examples for creating a guest photo list. These combinations are just to give you ideas! Each wedding is different and each guest list is different.
Photos with Parents
- Couple with both sets of parents
- Couple with Partner 1's parents
- Couple with Partner 2's parents
- Partner 1 with parents
- Partner 1 with mother
- Partner 1 with father
- Partner 2 with parents
- Partner 2 with mother
- Partner 2 with father
- Partner 1's parents together (just parents)
- Partner 2's parents together (just parents)
Photos with Siblings
- Couple with both sets of siblings
- Couple with both sets of siblings + siblings' families/significant others
- Partner 1 with all of their siblings
- Partner 1 with all of their siblings + parents
- Partner 2 with all of their siblings
- Partner 2 with all of their siblings + parents
Other Potential Photo Opportunities
- A big group photo of the couple with everyone at the wedding (if you want to do this, ask me for best ways!)
- Photos of the couple with each table at the reception (ask me about this if you want to do it!)
- Photos of the couple with friends or groups of friends
- Photo with the officiant
Photos with Grandparents
- Couple with both sets of grandparents
- Couple with Partner 1's grandparents
- Couple with Partner 2's grandparents
- Partner 1 with each set of grandparents
- Partner 1 with each grandmother
- Partner 1 with each grandfather
- Partner 2 with each set of grandparents
- Partner 2 with each grandmother
- Partner 2 with each grandfather
- Partner 1's grandparents together (just grandparents)
- Partner 2's grandparents together (just grandparents)
Extended Families
- A big group photo of the couple with each extended family
- Photos with aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, etc.
Copyright Abby Shepard Photography
