So, today is Wednesday…hump day….or in photographer land…most commonly referred to as WEDDING WEDNESDAY. Now, although I don’t have this kind of series on my blog….it may be something I consider starting up if enough of you like and follow it…or when I just need an excuse to talk about one of my most favorite things: Wedding Photography.

Today I wanted to write a post about the ever CRUCIAL and for clients, inevitable creation of a shot list.

Photographers live by it on most occasions and brides to be don’t know where to begin when it comes to building one. Enter…advice from ME!  😛

The shot list is such a treasured list because it  is basically a written vision of the brides in terms of WHAT IMAGES SHE MUST HAVE in terms of her wedding memories. As Wedding photographers in some cases, our entire collection of images is built around this list.

 My advice to brides out there reading this…or to photographers that need to find a way to stress the importance of a Shot List to your wedding clients is the following list in this blog:

1. GET ON IT!  First and foremost, START MAKING THE LIST ASAP!

Create a rough draft Shot List that incorporates the MUST HAVE shots of your day. This list will change, develop, and grow over the planning months, so start early to allow for such changes and developments.

 

2. BE REALISTIC, BRIEF AND KIND!

When a photographer is give 45 minutes to shoot over 26 different formal groupings for families, then has to shoot the bridal party and then the bride and groom…it is not NEARLY enough time to give the proper attention to the most important aspect of the day…THE BRIDE AND GROOM! Do yourself and the photographer a favor by dividing the list into specific categories…:”WILL DIE WITHOUT”, “WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE” “IF THERE IS TIME”. These three categories will also help you really think about the images you want taken on your big day and who you want to be in these important photos. The more frugal you are with family portrait groupings, the more time the photographer has to focus on just you and your groom, getting those romantic, creative shots that you HIRED them to get in the first place! : P

 

3. GIVE A LITTLE, GET A LOT!

When you give your photographer the TIME they need to get their shot, I can guarantee you will be happy with the results. I am sure you have heard from friends and other brides that the DAY FLIES! Well they aren’t lying. The wedding day goes by so quickly its actually very hard to comprehend how months or years of planning are over in 10 hours time. But if you structure your day to ALLOW for photographer to be  PART of your day/timeline….it will feel less like photography is TAKING AWAY from your day. I promise. You hired your photographer for a reason. You love their creative eye, style, approach, etc. Allow the artists the time they need to not just deliver you with good images….BUT TRULY GREAT AND STUNNING ONES! : )

 

4. FINAL CONSULTS!

With my brides, we meet in the beginning to go over collections and sign contracts. We then meet again either for a mid planning process, turn in their homework I give them, or do walk throughs of the venues. The final consult…sometimes combined with the second…allows there to be time to go over the timeline, the shot list, and let you know if your lists are too long or what you can realistically expect with the time you have allotted for photography in your day. This consult is a great way to ask last minute questions and go over any last minute changes. Trust me, the last consult is a stress reliever knowing that everyone is on the same page going into the big day!

 

5. FLEXABILITY AND TRUST!

Though no bride wants to think about this…but there is always a chance that something can go wrong on wedding day. Rain, storm, ill guest, absent bridal party member, family drama…hehehe, whatever it may be…its CRUCIAL to hope for the best and expect the worst. NO…THAT’S NOT A HORRIBLE THING TO SAY…IT’S A REALLLLL THING TO SAY. The more willing you are to roll with the wedding day punches, the better your experience will be. TRUST your photographer when they tell you that shot may not work in your favor, or that shooting over here as opposed to there is better. Let them do what they are trained professionals to do, and trsut that over the many consults and conversations, they know your vision and will be masters are creating it.

 

6. PROVIDE A HELPER!

The weddings I have shot where the Maid of Honor was a take charge kind of girl….have been the BEST weddings I have ever shot. Lets be real for a moment….we pick our best of best friends to stand up beside us. They are pamapered with hair, make up, nails, and a pretty dress. BUT….hence the name they wear…they are your maids….HELPERS! Most importantly your Maid of Honor should be your shadow…holding your bag, water, make up, and dress. They help you to the potty, they help bussle your dress…they should be your #1 go to gal. When they are appointed to help you…it helps us photographers not have to worry about yuour dress, fixing your train, veild, etc and we can focus on what we are there to do…shoot and capture your day as its really happening…not stopping every second to tend to the brides attire and needs that a bridesmaid is there to be on top of. So when picking your girls,,,when having those girl nights…kindly let them know that they are really going to need to help you on your big day….again…less stress for you if that conversation is had BEFORE the big day after you realize your bridesmaids are no where to be found and not helping you, lol! : P

 

7. RELAX, BREATHE, ENJOY!

I saved this one for last, but it is as equally as important as the number 1. IF YOU ARE SO CAUGHT UP IN HOW MANY THINGS ARE GOING WRONG…CONTROLLING EVERY MINUTE OF YOUR DAY….YOUR GOING TO MISS OUT ON EVERY PRICESSLESS MOMENT OF YOUR DAY YOU CANT EVER GET BACK. Trust the professionals you hired fot your day. That’s why you did all those consults, interviews…all that research. Am I right? Get your helper on board that you trsut to fix things when they aren’t going your way….not after you tell them…but because they already know its wrong. Be flexible. Go wit the flow. Smile. Unscrunch the eye brows, show those pearly white, dance your hinny off, have a cocktail and never ever forget the real pointof this day….marrying your best friend and love of you life in front of all the people that matter the most to you in life.

Amen? Ok great!

So….yet again my blog post was meant to just stat the importance of HAVING shot list…but I went over HOW a shot list can make your wedding day perfect, and WHY its more than just a silly list or homework assignment. Brides of mine know how seriously I take my lists….and they are on it like white on rice. MY BRIDES JUST ROCK MY SOCKS!

XOXO,

Kailtin Noel