Wedding Photo List - Know What Shots You Need

Why have a wedding photo list? I'll tell you - if there is anything that will weigh on the mind of a photographer just starting out, it's the word "wedding." The pressure to get those special moments that will always be shown to others will grind you down if you're not careful. One way to relieve a bit of that stress is by having a solid wedding photography checklist chock full of the images the bride and groom expect you to get. Unless you're a professional photographer who has been shooting weddings for years, you need such a list and even if you are a pro, you're pushing your luck without one.

Photo by Sean Choe / flickr.

And make your wedding photo list accordingly.

All the wedding photography tips in the world won't save you if you don't keep this one in mind. Your main job as a photographer is to make the bride happy. The groom and the parents will always have opinions on the types of shots they want, but if the bride is not happy, no one else will be either. There is a reason that wedding photography prices are so high - we know people are willing to pay them. If we don't deliver, then there are often severe circumstances and if you're lucky they will only be the customer spreading the word about your failure.

The first thing you need to do as a professional wedding photographer is to give the happy couple a list of shots they may be interested in having for their photo album. Be sure to convey the importance of the list and that they need to add suggestions and notes on what exactly they want and who they want to be in the pictures. You then need to have a sit-down with them and iron out all of the details. I would put a B beside every shot the bride insists on you getting. Be sure to have them sign their names on the paper after the decisions are made.

I've known people to agree to shoot a wedding who had never done so before. Often times, these people don't even offer to learn anything about this specific niche and instead rely on the fact that they consider themselves a competent photographer. In my opinion, this is a mistake. Wedding photography isn't like anything else and you'll quickly realize this if you delve into it without doing any research. Buy at leas one book, you won't be sorry.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Beagan Jr. Kissing in Back of Car after Wedding Ceremony

16 x 12 in. Photographic Print by Ed Clark

Buy for $69.99

Everyone needs a wedding photo checklist - even the bride and groom.

1-Shots of the happy couple with and without family members, close friends, etc.

2-The bouquet toss.

3-Picture of guarder belt on leg of bride or her tossing it (or both).

4-Arrival of the bride and groom (inner, outer and getting out of limo shots).

5-And now you may kiss the bride.

6-The cutting of the cake and the bride and groom feeding each other.

7-Bride and groom getting in the customary "Just Married" vehicle.

8-First dance.

9-Groom and mother dance.

10-Bride and father dance.

11-Various guests or family members dancing (parents, grandparents,etc.).

12- Father giving away bride.

13-Bride walking down aisle (front and side views recommended).

14-Groom waiting at altar.

15-Small children having moments or dancing with bride or groom.

16- Groom with key people (grooms men, mother, father, grandparents, siblings, etc.).

17- Bride with key People (bridesmaids, mother, father, grandparents, siblings, etc.).

18-Wide shot of church (inside and outside / with and without guests).

19-Bride and groom toasts and speeches.

20-Maid of Honor and Best Man toasts and speeches.

21-Groom checking the time.

22-Key portraits (bride and groom, parents, bridesmaids, grandparents, etc.).

23-Throwing of the rice (or bird seed).

24-Key people eating / talking (bride and groom, family, friends, etc.).

25-Over the shoulder shot of bride looking at groom and vice versa.

26-Hand holding of bride and groom, parents, etc.

27-Groom putting wedding ring on bride's finger and vice versa.

28-Pictures of rings by themselves (laying on bible, etc.) or on the fingers (being shown off, etc.).

29-Bride and groom leaving church.

30-Guestbook signatures.

A Bride in an Oak Forest

16 x 12 in. Photo Print

By Raul Touzon

Buy for $39.99

Does your photographer know what kinds of pictures you want?

31-Shots of the dress and tuxedo draped on something.

32-Zipping up of the wedding dress.

33-Bride applying make-up or fixing hair (or a family member doing it for them).

34-Groom fixing hair.

35-Family member helping groom with tie.

36-Full shot of bride ready to go.

37-Flower girls.

38-Ring bearer.

39-Bride facing out of a window with soft light (northern most window).

40-Bride walking down stairs.

41-Bride standing in doorway.

42-Wide shot of actual ceremony.

43-Shot of parents' faces as bride and groom kiss.

44-Banquet hall full of guests.

45-Food shots (cake, drinks, buffet line, etc.).

46-Shots of centerpieces and flower decorations.

47-Bride and groom whispering to one another.

48-Back of "Just Married" car as it drives away.

49-Detail close-up shots (place settings, champagne bottles/corks, wine glasses, sheet music, etc.).

50-Picture of band or wedding singer.

51-Picture of priest, bride and groom exchanging vows.

52-After the ceremony photos of bride and groom. Find a private area where they can kiss or dance.

53-Large group photos are always an option, just make sure everyone's eyes are open. Have everyone close eyes and on the count of three have everyone open them.

54-Any unusual or special items? Get a shot of it.

55-Kids yawning or sleeping.

56-Trash the wedding dress or tuxedo. This could be done on another day.

57-Get any shot that is strange, bizarre or unexpected even if it is embarrassing to someone. The bride can always choose not to use the shots if she wants.

58-The bride's veil over face.

59-Bride looking into a mirror.

60-Groom retrieving garter belt.

Having a wedding photo checklist is a start, but...

Although having a good wedding photo list at your side will help you remember to get those key shots you'll need to impress your client, there are 7 tips I'm going to share with you that will help you get through this experience unscathed.

Tip 1: Try to get all of the shots that the bride wanted even if you have to sacrifice shots that the groom wanted. Remember, your main focus should be on the bride.

Tip 2: If shooting in a church (low light) then raise your ISO to at least 800 and use your fastest lens (f/1.4, f/1.8, and f/2.8).

Tip 3: If using a flash, be sure to also use a flash diffuser to avoid harsh shadows and flat light associated with flash without diffusers.

Tip 4: Use a slower shutter speed with no flash to capture amazing images of people dancing.

Tip 5: Use a wide angle lens for such shots as the throwing of the bouquet and the garter.

Tip 6: If at all possible have two photographers shooting the wedding.

Tip 7: Get to the wedding at least an hour before you're supposed to. Learn the lay of the land, where the best natural light is and any other surprises that might await you.

Tip 8: Although all photographers may not agree with this one, I recommend wearing something that makes you easy to spot in a crowd. I like bright colors, but be sure to ask the bridal party if it's OK with them.

Tip 9: Getting a good night's sleep is something that should be high on your list, so find a way to do it.

Tip 10: Try to learn the names of all the major players; it's much easier to find someone when you know their names. And you thought a wedding photo list was all you needed.

These things just aren't for wedding photographers. Any photographer will find them very useful. If you want them to be a certain color, just break out some paint.