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Wedding Photography shot list.

Every wedding photographer will develop his or her own shot list over time.  If the photographer is a good one, the list will evolve and improve as the photographer matures.  Here’s a good starting list of wedding shots that most Birdes will expect to see when you return with your proof book. Most photographers will produce the similar types of wedding photographs. It's up to you to make your photos stand out with your own beautiful style so that everyone will know the shots are yours. Find a way to stand out!

Wedding Photographs before the wedding day

  • Formal bridal portrait at studio – waist up and full length

Wedding Photographs before the wedding ceremony (at the brides house)

  • Bride getting dressed
  • Bride and mother in mirror - putting on veil
  • Bride and maid of honor – adjusting something
  • Someone’s “hand on dress” dress detail
  • Bride – full length (dressed)
  • Bride – waist up
  • Bride – looking out window
  • Bride and mother – full length
  • Bride and maid or honor, waist up
  • Bride with father – full length
  • Bride with father – waist up
  • Bride with mother and father full length
  • Bride with mother and father waist up
  • Bride with individual family members – waist up or full length
  • Bride with anyone / everyone else of importance – waist up or full length
  • Bride with bride’s maids – lined up
  • Bride with bride’s maids - informal
  • Bride and family getting in car to leave for church

Wedding Photographs before the wedding ceremony (at the church)

  • Groom with best man
  • Groom with best man “getting away”
  • Groom with all Groomsman lined up
  • Groom with groomsman - informal
  • Groom with Dad
  • Groom with (fill in blank)

Wedding Photographs at the wedding ceremony 

  • Mother of groom being escorted down the isle
  • Mother of bride being escorted down the isle
  • Any grandmothers being escorted down the isle
  • Bride and Father in back of church getting ready to go down the isle
  • Groom and best man waiting at alter
  • Bride – informal portrait as she waits to come down the isle
  •  
  • Groomsman and brides maids coming down isle
  • Father and Bride coming down isle
  • Father giving away Bride
  • Exchanging vows
  • Exchanging rings
  • The kiss
  •  
  • Alter from back of church – eye level POV (long shot)
  • Alter from back of church – eye level POV (close up of bride and groom)
  • Alter from back of church – floor POV (long shot)
  • Alter from back of church – floor POV (close up of bride and groom)
  • Alter from balcony – floor POV (long shot)
  • Alter from balcony – floor POV (close up of bride and groom)
  • Various editorial shots of ceremony
  •  
  • Shot of Bride and Groom being introduced as husband and wife
  • Bride and Groom coming down the isle
  • Mother of bride being escorted from seat
  • Mother of groom being escorted from seat
  • Bride and grooms kissing at back of church
  •  
  • Various shots or receiving line
  • Rice throw – long shot to show crowd
  • Bride and Groom getting in car to leave for pictures / reception

Wedding Photographs after the ceremony but before the wedding reception (at park?)

  • Bride - full length (formal)
  • Bride – waist up (formal)
  •  
  • Bride with maid of honor
  • Bride with brides maids – formal and informal
  •  
  • Bride and groom - full length
  • Bride and groom – waist up
  •  
  • Bride and Groom with his parents
  • Bride and Groom with her parents
  • Bride and groom with each set of grandparents
  •  
  • Bride and groom with brides maids and groomsman – two or three versions
  • Groom with groomsman – formal and informal
  • Bride and Groom Editorial portraits together and separate – use unique environment

Wedding Photographs at the wedding reception

  • Bride and groom being introduced at reception
  • Individual table shots
  • Best man toasting
  • Any speeches
  • Group shot of all guests
  •  
  • Cake alone
  • Bride and Groom - cutting cake
  • Bride and Groom – smashing cake
  • The first dance
  • Bride and her father dancing
  • Groom and his mother dancing
  • Bride’s parents dancing
  • Groom’s parents dancing
  • Bride and or groom dancing with Grand Parents
  • Bride throwing bouquet
  • Groom removing garter
  • Groom throwing garter
  • Garter catcher putting garter on bouquet catcher
  • Groom carrying bride away
  • Bride and groom getting in car
  • Car driving away
  • Group shot of wedding guests
© Michael Ray 2007