A shot list is a checklist of photos you can provide to your photographer of must-get photos on your big day. Utilize our guide below to get some ideas flowing.
TIP #1: The best advice we can give you is to start your shot list early! Our ideas below are a great starting point, but starting the list early gives your time to think over specific photos (posed or otherwise) that you want to include.
Photography Shot List
Bride Getting Ready
Bride’s dress on hanger
Detail shot of dress
Shot of bride’s dress hanging with bridesmaids’ dresses
Bride accessories
Bride getting hair and make-up done
Candids of everyone getting ready in the bridal suite
Mother of the bride helping bride get dressed
Bride with bridesmaids in bridal suite (dressed)
Solo portraits of bride
Close up of bride holding her bouquet
Groom Getting Ready
Groom’s attire
Close up of groom’s accessories
Groom adjusting cufflinks/tie
Groom with groomsmen getting ready
Solo portraits of groom
Venue Details
Wedding invitation suite with other details
Rings
Close up of bouquet & groom’s boutonnieres
Venue & Décor
Interior details
Close up of ceremony décor
Reception décor before guests arrive
Reception table settings
Cake table & cake
Cake cutting utensils
Guest book
The love that made us table
Memory table
Bridesmaids
Bride with each bride individually
Group shots (posed & candid)
Bride with close friends, not in the bridal party (if applicable)
Groomsmen
Groom with each groomsman individually
Group shots
Pre-Ceremony (outside or in ceremony space)
Bride with mother
Bride with father
Bride with parents
Bride with grand parents
Bride with aunts/uncles/cousins
Bride with mother, grandmothers
Groom with mother
Groom with father
Groom with parents
Groom with siblings
Groom with parents + siblings
Groom with grandparents
Groom with parents and grandparents
First Look
Groom waiting for bride
Bride walking towards Groom
Bride and Groom’s reactions
Couple hugging/kissing
Couple exchanging gift/reading private vows
Ceremony Processional
Guests arriving
Guestbook attendant
Grandparents walking down the aisle
Parents walking down the aisle
Groom at alter
Groomsmen at alter
Bridesmaids walking down the aisle
Bride walking down the aisle with father/escort
Groom’s reaction to bride walking down the aisle
Key Ceremony Moments
Wide angle shot of ceremony set up
Special moments in ceremony (unity candle, religious traditions)
Close up of exchanging rings
First kiss
Couple walking down the aisle
Stop mid-aisle with another kiss
Guests’ reaction
Recessional
Full Bridal Party
Entire bridal party with the couple (posed and candid)
Bride with groomsmen
Groom with bridesmaid
Couple still with bridal party blurred
Family
Bride and Groom with Bride’s parents
Bride and Groom with Bride’s parents + siblings
Bride and Groom with Groom’s parents
Bride and Groom with Groom’s parents + siblings
Bride and Groom with both sets of parents
Bride and Groom with both families
Bride and Groom with Bride’s grandparents
Bride and Groom with Groom’s grandparents
Bride and Groom with Bride’s aunts/uncles/cousins
Bride and Groom with Groom’s aunts/uncles/cousins
Bride and Groom with Groom’s parents and grandparents
Bride and Groom with Bride’s parents and grandparents
Cocktail Hour
Bar area
Guests during cocktail hour
Bar signs
Signature cocktails
Reception Details
Reception table settings
Escort card display/Seating Chart
Full view of reception area with guests seated
Reception Key Moments
Bride and groom’s entrance
Bridal Party entrance
Head table
Toasts and speeches
Bride and groom with each table
Bride and groom’s first dance
Bride and father dance
Groom and mother dance
Cake Cutting
Bride and groom cutting cake
Feeding each other
Detail shots of cake with champagne glasses
Dance Floor & Candids
Bride and groom dancing with friends and family
Fun candids with bridal party
Guests dancing
Bride and Groom last dance
Send off
Getaway car
Bride and groom getting ready for exit
Guests holding glow wands/sparklers
Bride and groom walking through send off
Bride and groom stop and kiss
Final shot of couple in the car
TIP #2: Talk with your photographer and your fiancé in planning meetings to discuss family dynamics so everyone you want included is there.
TIP #3: Ask your photographer how they feel about Pinterest boards. Some hate them, while others find them useful. You should not only look for photos, but also poses that you like.
TIP #4: Look at your photographer’s previous work for inspiration.
If you are planning a wedding in Roanoke, Richmond, Fredericksburg/Northern Virginia, The Shenandoah Valley, Coastal Virginia, or Charlottesville/ Lynchburg, Virginia, we can help with your wedding planning and ideas.
