The Group Shots
Cut down to the bare minimum, not avoided altogether. Organised fast and shot with the same attention as everything else.
Nobody's wedding day gets remembered for its group shots, but skip them entirely and you'll regret not having a proper photo with your grandparents in twenty years. The trick is keeping the list short and running it fast, so it doesn't eat into the parts of the day everyone actually wants more of.
I ask for a shot list in advance, usually eight to twelve combinations, and I run through it briskly, with a plan for who's needed when so people aren't standing around waiting to be called. It's organised, but it isn't stiff, there's still a laugh or two in most of them, because I'm not lining people up like a school photo.
This is included as standard across both coverage styles, and it usually happens straight after the ceremony, before everyone moves on to portraits of just the two of you. If your venue has a good spot for group photos, it's worth checking, some handle large families much better than others, which is one of the things I cover in my venues guide.
About the group shots
How many group shots do you recommend?
Eight to twelve combinations covers most families comfortably. Beyond that it starts eating into cocktail hour and people's patience, without adding much you'll actually use.
How long do group photos actually take?
With a sensible list and someone on hand who knows the family, fifteen to twenty minutes. Longer lists or complicated family arrangements can push that to thirty.
Who should organise the list on the day?
I'll ask for the list beforehand, then on the day I usually work with an usher or a member of the wedding party who knows everyone by sight, it speeds things up enormously.
What if we have a big family and complicated dynamics?
Tell me in advance, honestly, it helps. I'll structure the order so awkward combinations are grouped sensibly and nobody's stuck standing around a situation longer than necessary.
Can we skip group shots altogether?
Yes, some couples do. If you'd rather I spend that time on candid coverage instead, that's completely fine, just let me know before the day so I can plan around it.
Do you provide a shot list template?
Yes, I'll send one over well before the wedding so you can fill it in with family members and combinations at your own pace, rather than trying to remember it all on the morning.
Let's talk about your day
Tell me your date and how you want your wedding photographed, and I'll tell you honestly whether we're the right fit.
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