A clear, calm approach to family photos that feel intentional, meaningful, and stress-free.
You spend months (sometimes years) planning your wedding, but when the day finally arrives, it moves faster than you expect. One thing we consistently hear from couples afterward is, “I wish we had gotten a photo with…” These moments matter. And that’s where a thoughtful formal shot list comes in.
While most of your day will be filled with candid, documentary-style images — the quiet looks, the full-body laughter, the in-between moments — your formal portraits are a chance to intentionally acknowledge the people who raised you, shaped you, and supported you.
This guide will help you create a family photo list that reflects your relationships, keeps the timeline moving smoothly, and honors the people who mean the most to you.
Why a Shot List Matters
Weddings are joyful and chaotic. People wander. Emotions run high. The moments right after your ceremony can feel like a blur. It’s incredibly easy to forget groupings you intended to capture.
A clear, simple shot list:
- keeps us efficient
- prevents important people from being missed
- reduces stress for your family
- lets you stay present instead of trying to remember combinations on the fly
Think of this list as a gift for your future self.
If you want help fitting family photos into your timeline, read Scheduling Your Day.
What Makes This List Different
Most shot lists online are generic. Your family isn’t. The people in your life have histories, nuances, and emotional layers that aren’t captured by a one-size-fits-all list.
This guide isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about honoring the people who helped build the world you’re standing in. It’s not about tradition — it’s about feeling.
Your formal portraits aren’t just photos. They’re a quiet, intentional pause in the middle of the celebration, a way to preserve the relationships that matter most.
When to Do Family Photos
You can do formal portraits before or after the ceremony — both work, but they create different flows.
If you’re doing a first look:
We can capture most family groupings beforehand. This gives you more time at cocktail hour and helps the day feel smoother.
If you’re waiting until after the ceremony:
We recommend extending cocktail hour slightly, especially if your family is large or you want numerous combinations.
Additional things to consider:
Lighting:
Mid-day sun is harsh. If family photos are earlier in the day, we choose shaded or indoor areas for flattering light.
Elders & accessibility:
We prioritize grandparents and mobility-limited family members first so they’re comfortable.
Kids:
Little ones are perfect for the first five minutes, then pure chaos. We photograph them early.
For more details, read our Shooting Beforehand guide.
How to Personalize Your Shot List
Before choosing your groupings, take a moment together and talk about:
- Which relationships feel essential?
- Who supported you in meaningful ways?
- Are there blended or chosen family members to include?
- Are there sensitive dynamics we should know about?
- Are there accessibility or comfort needs to plan around?
- Are there relationships in healing or transition?
When you build the list with intention, the photos feel more like emotional architecture than formality.
Who Should Be in Formal Portraits?
This is entirely up to you. Most couples include:
- parents
- siblings
- grandparents
- wedding party
- chosen family
- godparents or close family friends
If there are sensitive dynamics (divorced parents, estrangements, loss), just let us know. We navigate everything with empathy and respect.
Sample Formal Shot List
Use this as a starting point. You don’t need them all — choose the groupings that reflect your world.
Couple + Partner 1’s Family
- Couple + Partner 1’s parents
- Couple + Partner 1’s parents + siblings
- Couple + Partner 1’s grandparents
- Partner 1 + parents
- Partner 1 + siblings
- Partner 1 + grandparents
Couple + Partner 2’s Family
- Couple + Partner 2’s parents
- Couple + Partner 2’s parents + siblings
- Couple + Partner 2’s grandparents
- Partner 2 + parents
- Partner 2 + siblings
- Partner 2 + grandparents
Couple + Both Families
- Couple + both sets of parents
- Couple + all immediate family
Couple + Wedding Party
- Couple + entire wedding party
- Couple + bridesmaids
- Couple + groomsmen
- Partner 1 + bridesmaids
- Partner 2 + groomsmen
- Partner 1 + wedding party
- Partner 2 + wedding party
Optional / Special Groupings
- Couple + godparents
- Couple + nieces and nephews
- Couple + chosen family
- Couple + extended family
- Couple with pets
Pro Tips for Smooth Family Photos
Assign a wrangler:
Pick a friend or planner who knows your family to help gather people.
Share your list in advance:
Send it to us before the wedding so we’re prepared.
Use first names:
Instead of “bride’s uncle,” write “Uncle Dan.” Clarity speeds everything up.
Start big, then narrow:
We begin with large groupings so people can be released early.
Communicate expectations:
Let your family know when and where they need to be. Surprises create stress.
Leave time:
Family photos usually take 20–30 minutes depending on group size.
Our Final Checklist includes a reminder to finalize your list.
How We Keep This Stress-Free
Family photos can be emotional — sometimes joyful, sometimes layered, sometimes complicated. Our job is to manage the energy, not just the posing.
We keep things calm. We read the room. We handle personalities gently. We guide your family with confidence and kindness so you don’t have to manage anything.
You get to breathe. We’ll take care of the rest.
10-Minute “Emergency” Shot List
For when timelines shift or things get unexpectedly tight.
- Couple + both sets of parents
- Couple + Partner 1’s immediate family
- Couple + Partner 2’s immediate family
- Couple + wedding party
- Partner 1 + parents
- Partner 2 + parents
This ensures you still get the most meaningful groupings even in a compressed timeline.
A Note on Chosen Family & Representation
Your shot list is about honoring the people who shaped your life — not tradition, not expectation.
If you have two moms, a grandfather who raised you, or a best friend who’s like family, include them. If someone has passed away and you want to honor them quietly, we’ll do that with care.
Tell us who matters. We’ll make sure they’re seen.
Should You Include Extended Family?
It depends on your priorities and your timeline.
Extended family combinations (cousins, aunts/uncles, large groupings) are wonderful, but they take more time. If these groupings matter deeply to you, include them.
Another option:
Do immediate family pre-ceremony and reserve extended family photos during cocktail hour.
How Many Photos Should You Include?
We recommend 15–25 total groupings. This keeps the session flowing without overwhelming you. More is possible — it just takes more time and pulls you away from the celebration.
Ask yourselves:
Which photos will matter most in ten years?
What About Couple Portraits?
While not part of the family list, we’ll also create intentional portraits of just the two of you — either before the ceremony or at golden hour.
If you want portraits that feel honest, connected, and not stiff, read our Let’s Get Intimate guide.
Closing Thoughts
Formal photos don’t have to feel formal. They can feel like celebration, like connection, like love in its clearest form. They’re a way of saying, “These are our people.”
Years from now, these portraits become a time capsule — a reminder of who stood beside you and who helped shape the moment you were stepping into together.
You don’t need to worry about timelines, combinations, or logistics. That’s why I’m here. I’ll guide, organize, and keep the energy grounded so you can simply be present in the middle of it all.