Wedding Photography Checklist: Getting the shots.
So it's your wedding day. You want to make sure you get all those awesome shots! Leaving no photographic stone unturned...
Well not too fast.
Having a list is good. A photo list is a great resource for your wedding planner and photographer, as long as it's not too exhaustive. A list is a good idea to ensure you'll get the absolute must have photos, that might be out of the ordinary. You don't need to list, (first kiss). That's a gimme. What you want to list are things that might not be at every wedding; a photo of a particular guest, a family tradition, a funny photo that "we always get".
Want a group photo of everyone? Try and fit it in immediately after the ceremony. Everyone is already in the right spots, and you don't miss anyone!
Having a list is bad. When your list is out of control, and has a million items. It goes from being a good thing, to a hinderance. At one wedding I photographed, I had been asking for a list of family photos for two weeks before the wedding. "Its coming, its coming" well, when I finally got it (on the day, at picture time) it was a duotang, with about 180 photos. I see why it took so long. About 150 of the photos were group shots. The maid of honor saw it, and started laughing out hysterically. I didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. I had to explain I could shoot every photo on this list, but that'd be it. Our photo time would be done.
Amazing, hand drawn (by the Groom!) caricature magnets of every guest that are wedding favours and a seating chart? List worthy!
Having a list is good. When it comes time to do the formal photos, a detailed list is perfect. In my article about Getting family photos to run smooth I go into more detail, but suffice it to say that a detailed list for this stage just helps save time and stress. You won't miss anyone, and avoid any upset or hurt feelings. Start with larger groups, extended family etc, then you can dismiss them, and work smaller. Saving the closer family and friends for last.
Lists are for family photos. And oddball stuff. Don't got crazy on the wedding part list.
Having a list is bad. When it's just so detailed for things during the day, that your photographer is going to have to spend more time checking the list than making great images. This is to say if you're hiring a professional who is experienced. If this is your cousin photographing your wedding, and it's her first rodeo, a more detailed list is a better idea.
A classic shot these ladies get at every event they attend together. This is list worthy.
Having a list is good. When it jogs your memory to get those quirky must have photos. Shots that you "get at every wedding" you or your friends attend. Or remind you that you want one with your work friends (maybe not at family photo time, but at the reception). That sort of thing. Just a reminder to your photographer, you wanna get such and such a photo before people slip away.
Dad would really like a shot with us and his car.... You got it daddio.
Try to be flexible and realize you might not get 100% of the photos that you want (sometimes they just don't happen, or are impossible to capture) but overall following these tips will help you craft a useful and worthwhile wedding photo list. Just don't forget it in the print tray at home! In fact, share it with your photographer, or coordinator one week ahead of time.