MOST DEFINITELY! They say a picture is worth a thousand words but the memories are priceless. Photos play a pretty huge role on your wedding day so they should take just as much thought and plan as everything else.

A photo shot list will ensure you get all the footage you are hoping for and make the lives of everyone so much easier on the wedding day. This is more or less a checklist of potential (but not limited to) photos you want to be taken on our wedding day. Lucky for you photographers are professionals and will already know all the important key elements of the wedding to capture without you having to think about it or put it on a list. However, even though they are going to do their very best to capture everything regardless of list-making one will help avoid later feelings of “we wish we had a photo of….”

Your wedding is unique to you and your photos should be too! Communication is key here, including anything that you think may not be obvious to the photographer to capture on this checklist. For example a photo of you and your college girls, a photo of the groom and his favorite neighbor who was like a mother to him growing up, a picture of your mom and all her sisters, etc….

1. Break the day down into sections:

2. Don’t make the checklist TOO detailed

Like we said, your photographer is a professional and they already know to get a picture of your first kiss, your first dance, your dad giving his toast etc…

3. Family Formals

Family photos at your wedding are a must but they can get a little hectic and usually by the end your pretty over it. Keep this in mind when making your list so it doesn’t get too long and drawn out.

4. Inspiration Photos

Scroll through Pinterest or Instagram and save any photo ideas that you love. Send these inspirations to your photographer so they can make your vision become a reality! Think about unique poses, backdrops, or fun group shots you may really want to be captured and put them all on the list.

5. Names

Write down the names of the people you want in the photos, not just “cousins” or “aunts.” This will ensure everyone you want in the photo makes it in.

This is a general template for a wedding photo shot list you might provide for your photographer. **Remember: a lot of items are already a given for these professionals

Again, the photographer will capture as much as possible with the flow of the day. This is just a general idea of what might be on your list, your photographer knows what main elements to capture but will use this guide for any other specific shots you want to make sure don’t get missed!

Did you like this blog?! Then follow us on Instagram @abcweddings for daily resources, inspiration, vendor highlights, and real wedding features!!