WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY SHOT LIST!
As a first-time bride planning a destination wedding from afar, it’s easy to overlook some of the “smaller” tasks that are so important to wedding day success. The devil is in the details, and while we can’t speak for other vendors, we can tell you that when it comes to destination wedding photography, planning your shot list is a must-do! Read on for our tips and tricks to be sure you are prepared for the big day.
WHAT IS A WEDDING DAY SHOT LIST?
You’ve chosen your dream photographer, sat down for a face-to-face or video chat, and signed on the dotted line. Regardless of whether you have gone light and bright, dark and moody, editorial or traditional, most wedding albums include certain family and bridal party portraits and other specific shots requested by couples. Your wedding day shot list is the document that will help guide your photographer through your must-haves while also respecting the event timeline you and your wedding planner have taken so much time to put together.
WHEN SHOULD I START PREPARING MY SHOT LIST?
While it might seem like an easy task, the shot list will need to be drafted and re-drafted as you move through the planning process. We suggest you wait until:
Your venue is secured: Location and surroundings affect what shots are and aren’t possible. If you’re getting married indoors and dream of recreating a specific shot at sunset on one of Cabo’s stunning beaches, we’ll need to consider allocating time to take you offsite or schedule a beach session the day after the wedding to make sure you have it all!
Your guest list is complete: You’ll almost definitely have a list of family and friends you know will be in attendance from the get-go. That being said, your guest list will change and develop as invitations go out and RSVPs come back in. You can start your shot list by grouping any important attendees you simply must have in portraits like this: 1. Bride, groom, parents. 2. Bride, bridesmaids, 3. Groom, groomsmen, etc. Make sure to include names to make it easier for us to call out to each during the shoot.
You have met or video chatted with your photographer: We all have different creative processes. We’ll chat with you about what we require before you get to work!
WHAT SHOULD I INCLUDE IN MY SHOT LIST?
This really comes down to two factors. Some brides are very chill and prefer us to capture the basics and let them spend more time with guests, meaning you won’t need to be as detailed. Other couples are very photography-focused, and have researched iconic, creative, and quirky images they simply must recreate way in advance of the wedding. If you are the second you’ll need to go into a little more detail.
“I’m very simple and want to spend more time with my guests”: Just shoot us a list of bridal party and family groups you want captured together and we’ll take care of the rest!
“I’m that bride that does my research”: Think about including not only bridal party and family portrait groups, but snapshots of images you want to recreate. Example: If you’ve stumbled onto a stunning frame of a couple posed in a specific location at your resort, include a screenshot of the photo in the shot list and tell us what you love about it!
If there’s anything you DO NOT want, it’s also great to let us know ahead of time. Most couples want a gorgeous ocean backdrop, but some prefer not to step foot on the sand. It’s all great information to have in advance.
HOW SHOULD I PRESENT MY SHOT LIST?
You can be as detailed or as brief as you wish. A quick email or shared Google Doc will suffice, and some photographers will have a shot list survey they can send you directly from their website. If you are more of a Type A planner, you may want to check out apps like Go Canvas or create a spreadsheet for us to review. It’s all about what’s going to help you stress less during planning and still give us what we need to work effectively on the wedding day.
WHEN SHOULD I SEND YOU MY SHOT LIST?
Every photographer will have a preference, but we recommend emailing your shot list and final timeline, no later than 2 weeks before the wedding. This gives us time to study it carefully and point out any red flags. What counts as a red flag when it comes to photography? Light comes to mind! Depending on the number of bridal party and family portraits we need to shoot, choosing a time at which light is to our advantage and ensuring we have enough of that time is paramount. Another is the first look. While a first look between bride and groom, or a pre-ceremony bridal party session means we can take care of some of the leg work early, location, weather, and time of year are important factors. We wouldn’t want to schedule a bridal party session too early in August or September and have you uncomfortable in the hot Summer sun.
Receiving your shot list on time means we have more information when on our final venue walk-through before the wedding and lets us brief any staff, second shooters, and assistants as we get ready for the big day. Preparation is key to ensuring all runs smoothly and you enjoy your guests as much as possible as they celebrate.
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER…
When sending images you wish to recreate, keep in mind that we will do our absolute best, but every photographer’s style, every location, and every couple are different. No two images are ever exactly alike. Pick 3 or 4 shots that inspire you and trust your photographer to take care of the rest.
Time is of the essence on the wedding day, and we need to respect your timeline to make sure other vendors aren’t adversely affected. The more staged photos and portraits you request, the more time we’ll need, so we recommend keeping it simple and allowing your photographer to guide you.
Assign a friend or family member to assist! When it comes time to shoot your portraits, we’ll need everyone in one place. We’ll know the names but not the faces, so it’s important to assign someone who does to help us get through shots on time.
AND THAT’S IT!
It might seem daunting, but creating your shot list is an organic process that develops over time. Start putting it together little by little, give it a final check once your RSVPs are in, and voila! We’ll have just what we need 🙂Happy planning!
One Love - Gary
Copywriting by @Bloggingwithlove.mexico
