JZ STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY

Wedding day Sample family photo list

​

​

Below is the sample family shot list that is sent to all of my couples. We use this as a starting point and then customize to fit their particular family and any dynamics. For most families, we plan for ~30 minutes of time in the overall photography timeline

 

We start with the immediate family of Partner A:

Couple with Partner A’s Immediate Family (Parents, Siblings, Grandparents, Nieces, Nephews)

Couple with Partner A’s Parents

Couple with Partner A’s Siblings

Partner A with their Parents

Partner A with Mom, Partner A with Dad

Couple with Partner A’s Grandparents

 

A photo of the couple with each set of parents and/or siblings:

Couple with both sets of Parents

Couple with both sets of Siblings

 

And then we continue with the immediate family of Partner B:

Couple with Partner B’s Immediate Family (Parents, Siblings, Grandparents, Nieces, Nephews)

Couple with Partner B’s Parents

Couple with Partner B’s Siblings

Partner B with their Parents

Partner B with Mom, Partner B with Dad

Couple with Partner B’s Grandparents

Couple with all family members if time allows

​

​

ORDERING THE SHOT LIST – TAKING FAMILY DYNAMICS INTO ACCOUNT

​

Once we know who will be in your family photos and which of the above photos are applicable to your family, we’ll create the official list. I like to add in the names of your parents and siblings to help streamline the process on your wedding day.

​

Below is a sample family shot list for a couple we’ll call Victoria and Peter. Both of their parents are still married and they each have at least one sibling. You’ll see that Victoria also has a grandmother that is able to be at the venue ahead of the ceremony for these photos — I’ll group those photos together so that she isn’t standing for too long between the photos she’s needed for.

​

Order is important! I like to start with smaller groups and add people to create the full group photo. I find this to be much less time-intensive on a busy wedding day.

 

Victoria with mom (Susan)

Victoria with dad (Andrew)

Victoria with both parents

V/P with Victoria’s parents

V/P with Victoria’s mom, dad, brother (Susan, Andrew, Jason)

ADD grandmother (Ann)

Susan and Ann

Susan, Ann, Victoria

Victoria and Ann

Victoria with mom, dad, brother (Susan, Andrew, Jason)

Victoria with brother (Jason)

V/P with Victoria’s brother (Jason)

Susan and Andrew

 

V/P with both set of parents

V/P with both set of parents and siblings

V/P with both set of siblings

 

Peter with mom (Laurie)

Peter with dad (John)

Peter with both parents

V/P with Peter’s parents

V/P with Peter’s mom, dad, sisters (Laurie, John, Charlotte, Nicole)

Peter with mom, dad, sisters (Laurie, John, Charlotte, Nicole)

Peter with sisters (Charlotte, Nicole)

V/P with Peter’s sisters (Charlotte, Nicole)

Peter with Charlotte

Peter with Nicole

Laurie and John

 

In the event that there were any divorces, step-parents, or other family dynamics, I’d also take this into consideration when I’m choosing the order of the photos. Make your photographer aware of any family dynamics that could come up during the family photo time.

 

And that’s all it takes to create the immediate family shot list for your wedding! When everyone arrives on time and is ready for photos, this list allows me to capture each photo quickly and efficiently — your parents will love the organization and everyone will be surprised at how easy it was!

​

​