Photography Shot List

[Complicated Woman]

Thought I would post this in case it was helpful to anyone who is hiring a photographer soon.

Tom and I have an appointment next Tuesday with the woman I really want... that he is as taken with her work as I am.

GETTING READY
Bride's dress on the hanger or over a chair
Close-up of bride's shoes
Close-up of bride's bouquet
Bride in curlers or having makeup applied
Bridesmaids applying their makeup
Bride putting on garter
Mom and/or bridesmaids helping the bride arrange her dress, bustle the train, etc.
Close-up of dress details
Bride together with bridesmaids
Bride hugging mom
Flower girl(s) ready to go
Mom or bridesmaids putting finishing touches on bride, adding the veil, etc.
Bride spending moment alone, thinking quietly, praying or looking out the window
Full-length shot of bride all dressed and ready to go
Groom putting on tie
Groom with groomsmen
Ring bearer ready to go
Groom with dad, hugging or whispering advice
Bride and groom separately getting in the car, limo or cab

CEREMONY
Groom looking out the window, waiting for the bride to arrive
Car arriving with bride
Bride stepping out of the car
Wide shot of ceremony space from the back
Guests arriving (especially if they're using special transportation like a shuttle bus, boat or even escalator)
Ushers helping grandparents and special guests to their seats
Front and back shots of flower girl/ring bearer walking down the aisle
Close up of details (guest book, pew decorations, etc.)
Groom and groomsmen waiting nervously for bride to walk down aisle
Guests sitting down, waiting for ceremony to start
Bridesmaids walking down the aisle
Wedding party standing at the altar
Bride just before walking down the aisle
Back shot of bride (and escort) beginning to walk down the aisle
Full-frontal shot of bride (and escort) walking down the aisle
Close-up of groom's face when he sees bride for the first time (this can be done earlier, if photos are done before the ceremony)
Back shot of bride and groom together at the altar with officiant between them
Shot focusing on bridesmaids' bouquets, lined up as they hold them at the altar
Close-up of each hand as the rings are exchanged
Close-up of bride's face, as seen over the groom's shoulder
Close-up of groom's face, as seen over the bride's shoulder
Shot of both sets of parents' faces as they witness ceremony
The kiss
Happy couple walking back down the aisle together, as married couple
Guests getting ready to shower the couple with well wishes (and bubbles, birdseed, etc.) as they leave
Bride and groom walking out of ceremony space, hand-in-hand

BEFORE THE RECEPTION ? During the cocktail hour (These can be taken before the ceremony)
Full shot of bride and groom together, smiling
Full shot of bride and groom hugging
Full shot of bride and groom kissing
Bride being lifted or carried by groom or sitting on groom's lap
Close-up of couples' faces as bride is lifted, carried or sitting on groom's lap
Bride with her parents
Groom with his parents
Bride with groom's parents
Groom with bride's parents
Bride with bridesmaids
Groom with groomsmen
Bride with groomsmen
Group shot of bride, groom, family and wedding party
Groom leaning up against a wall with bride in front of him, kissing
Bride and groom walking toward the camera, holding hands
Bride and groom walking away from camera, holding hands
Bride and groom looking off in the same direction together

RECEPTION
Close-up of details (place settings, name cards, etc.)
Close-up of centerpieces
Wide shot of entire room before everyone arrives, even better if taken from above
Any special moments during the receiving line process
Bride and groom's first dance
Groom dipping bride
Bride dancing with her dad -- close-up of her face as seen over his shoulder
Groom dancing with his mom
Close-up of cake
Bride showing her new ring to the guests
Bride and groom hugging guests, close-ups of faces
Best man (or other guests) making a toast to the couple
Bride and groom's faces as they listen to the toast(s)
Guests smiling and clapping
Guests dancing and cutting loose on the dance floor. (Tip: Ask for a slow shutter speed to get a blurry/focused effect)
Wide shot of entire room after guests arrive, even better if taken from above
Close-ups of guests' faces, laughing and having a great time -- lots of these
Groups of friends sitting together at their table or dancing
Bride and groom whispering to each other
Parents (or even better, grandparents) dancing
Kids dancing or playing around
Close-up of band or DJ
Bride and groom cutting the cake
Bride and groom feeding each other
Bride and groom in back seat of getaway car
Back of car as it drives away

[feb-bride]

Good list. One thing you may want to do is ensure that someone is "in charge" of making sure all of these shots are taken on your wedding day. I had a great list of shots I wanted, but my photographer didn't even take half of what I wanted. My step-mom was going to keep on top of this, but the list was the ONE THING I forgot on my wedding day and I've regretted it ever since.

[maroki13]

Thanks Bryanne! Our photographer gave us a short list and asked us to add to it as we wished....this list is great!!

[Mrs.Levitt]

Good list ! ! ! We are having a non professional but hobby photographer at our wedding. She did a few girls I know weddings and the pics were fabulous. Shes saving us loads on pics, shes charging $300 (includes a set of prints, proofbook, cd and negatives. 5 rolls of film. $20 for each additional roll) I was going to compile a nice list to give her closer to the date and I think I will print yours. Thanks!!!

[labeadel]

The only thing my photographer wanted was a list of the "posed" pictures, as they are more photo journalists than the typical photographers. So, the rest of this stuff they got without me asking for it. Just giving you a heads up in case your photographer ends up saying the same to you. It also depends on if you've hired a wedding photographer for your day or a friend that does photography.

My other advice is you don't want too many shots that are supposed to look natural but end up being posed, like the groom's dad whispering advice. Unless they are doing that on their own, do you really want that shot? Just something to think about.

[munchkin]

I agree with labeadel. You want to capture the spontaneous moments from the wedding, not the posed and often stiff looking moments. DJ and I have shot some weddings as photojournalists, and you can certainly tell the difference between the ones that we captured on our own, and the ones that the couple gave us as a set list. The couple usually ends up liking the ones that were spontaneous and free over the ones that were set up.

[gordman]

Well you got yourself a good perfect list. I am glad you have shared it with us. I am also making plans for my wedding and seeing this list makes me reallize that I'll have a hard time for the next two months... Thanks again.