The short answer is no, you don’t NEED a shot list for your wedding day, but it certainly can’t hurt.
What is a “shot list” anyways?
Great question, this a list of photos that you would like to have your photographer capture on your wedding day.
If you get a template shot list from the internet, it might have things on it like “the dress on the hanger, guests mingling, the rings” This is not really what we are after. If you hired a professional photographer, then trust them to capture all of the moments throughout the day and focus on the posed family portraits for the list. We will dedicate a chunk of time, either before the ceremony or immediately after, for the formal posed family portraits. There is where the list comes in handy.
How the list even help?
The point of your wedding day isn’t the photos but they are a huge bonus. Let’s be honest, it’s not often you have all of your favorite people in one place and all dolled up. The family portraits are important, but the more time we spend photographing your family portraits, the less time you get to spend actually time with them. The list can help keep the formal portraits quick and efficient. If we know right off the bat who we need and who we don’t can save us a LOT of time.
Who do I choose?
So now you are choosing the people you want in portraits, but how do you know who to include? The best question to ask yourself is “will I frame this photo?”
At the end of the day, this is your wedding and these are your photos. Just because someone was important enough to invite, doesn’t necessarily mean the rise to the level of going in a frame in your home. If you are never going to print the photo, you don’t have to have it taken.
What do I do if I forgot to add someone to the list?
Don’t worry, the list is just a guide. Just because it’s not on the list, doesn’t mean we won’t capture it.
The wedding is over, now what?
Circle back around to the question, would I frame this?
Your photos deserve to seen and enjoyed every day. Not just one time when you post them on social media. Not just through a screen. You photos deserve to be printed, they deserve to be touch. Framed prints and albums are some of my favorite ways to show off your beautiful photos.
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