Client Guide
2022-2023
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chapter 6
Family & Groups
A wedding is one of those rare occasions where all your family and friends are gathered together in one place, dressed to the nines.
So whether it's your bridal party, immediate family, extended family or friends, I'm here to capture it all.
Part One: Family Photos
Formal family photos are probably the most straightforward part of wedding photography. We will take some time to capture your nearest and dearest in their respective groups, when everyone is in the same location and (hopefully) still sober and well dressed.
While I’m taking family photos, I’ll direct the second photographer (if one is nominated) to take candid photos of the other guests enjoying the start of the canapés.
If not planned effectively, this family photo process can be tedious, confusing and stressful. There are steps we will take to prevent this happening, as follows:
Fill out a photo questionnaire
01
Nominate a photo wrangler
02
To make sure your family photos run smoothly, we will shoot from a well-defined and pre-determined list that we agree on beforehand.
I have all my couples fill out a questionnaire before the wedding sharing the exact list of family combinations they desire. If you’re unsure, here is a guide to get you started:
I require each couple to nominate a friend or family member who can help wrangle everyone into line for the family photo session. Ideally, this person should be confident at directing people, and be familiar with both sides of the family (so they can identify everyone on the list, or people who are missing). This person should be aware of their delegated task well in advance.
- The Couple, Partner A’s Parents
- The Couple, Partner B’s Parents
- The Couple, Both Sets of Parents
- The Couple, Partners A’s immediate Family
- The Couple, Partner B’s immediate Family
- The Couple, Both sets of Immediate Family
Full wedding group photo
Have someone announce the photos
03
04
Directly after the ceremony is the best time to get the full wedding photo with all the guests, if you’d like one. Doing this before other photos are taken means that non-family can enjoy canapés rather than waiting around for their single photo opportunity.
Directly after the ceremony, have your MC or celebrant announce that photos will commence. Have them direct people to the location, and even read from a list of shots, so that family and friends know to be ready and what to expect.
Comprised of your closest friends, getting photos of the bridal party will no doubt be important to you. There are a few options for doing this:
Part Two: Bridal Party
1. GETTING READY SHOTS
2. GROUP SHOTS AFTER THE CEREMONY
3. on-location shots
This one is a given. While I’m at your getting ready location, I’ll snap some candid photos of you and your bridal party getting ready, plus some group shots when you’re dressed and ready to go.
If you’d prefer to bring your bridal party with you to your couple portrait session instead, you will need to add roughly an extra 20 minutes to the on-location shooting time. This can be a great opportunity to get some more candid and aesthetic shots of you interacting, and can truly special if your sisters, brothers or other family are part of your bridal party.
Following your family photo session is a great opportunity to get some group photos with your bridal party. This is more efficient than bringing them on location with you, and means they can stay to enjoy the canapés.