Wedding photography allows you to look back on the special moments of your big day, from the first time you and your partner saw one another to your first dance at the reception. But just as important to your parents and relatives are the posed family photos. These are images that will be shared and framed, and while they’re certainly less fun to take than your wedding party and couple portraits, they’re still essential.
Group wedding photos can be a challenge not just for your photographer, but for your wedding guests. The goal is to get those photos taken as quickly as possible, so that your guests don’t have to sit at the reception waiting for you to arrive (and slowly getting hungrier). Check out our top tips for capturing group wedding photos quickly!
Build out a shot list
Your wedding photographer will likely ask you to put together a shot list. This is a list of the moments throughout your wedding day that you want your photographer to capture. But many couples fail to include details in their shot list about their family photos. Think through all the different configurations—e.g. parents, grandparents, siblings, extended family—and list out what posed group photos you want your photographer to take. By planning ahead, your photographer can already have a goal in mind and know how to quickly arrange everyone to get these photos captured.
Enlist someone to round everyone up
One of the biggest challenges of group photos is making sure everyone is in the same place, so consider asking a cousin or friend to round up all your grandparents, aunts and uncles to ensure they’re ready for the camera. Just make sure that whoever you assign this responsibility knows what everyone looks like—otherwise, they’ll be lost!
Explain sensitive relationships to your photographer
Every family is different, and a wedding can often put people with strained relationships in close proximity. Be sure to talk to your photographer beforehand about any awkwardness or discomfort that may arise, as well as any people who need not to be in the same photo. Professional wedding photographers have worked with hundreds of families, so they are definitely familiar with the strain of divorced couples or other issues and will certainly be understanding.
Set aside plenty of time for group photos
When building your wedding day timeline, make sure to set aside a significant chunk of time for your family and group portraits. If you choose to do a first look with your partner, you may even consider capturing your family photos before the ceremony, allowing you to go straight to the reception after the ceremony and prevent your guests from waiting. If you decide to take family photos after the ceremony, make sure you schedule in plenty of time to get all the necessary configurations that you want.
Know where you want to take your photos
Group and family photos should all take place in the same spot, so be sure to pick that area of your venue out ahead of time to make things easier. If you’re not sure where to take these photos, talk to your photographer about the best spot with optimal lighting.