With all of the changes that the digital revolution brought to the world of wedding photography, one thing has remained remarkably constant: The Shot List. For those of you who do not live on Planet Wedding, the Shot List is that treasured list of photographs that the bride and groom must have from their wedding day. Whether it is a well conceived and thoroughly prepared document or simply a quick list written on the back of a spare wedding invitation, the success of the wedding photography may hinge on this collection of images.
To that end, here are my Top Ten Tips for making the shot list a wedding day success:
1. Create One… Early
You would be surprised at how often I request a shot list, months in advance, only to find myself on the phone, a week before the wedding, asking a frazzled bride if she has any images to add to this non-existent list. The earlier shot list can be created, the better it will be, for you and for your photographer.
2. Be Kind.. Be Brief
I was once asked to photograph 26 different family portraits in 45 minutes. I did it, but I was ready for it. Make a list and prioritize it in categories like ‘Must Have’, ‘Must Have If Time Allows’, ‘Would Be Nice To Have’, and ‘Only If There Is Nothing Else To Photograph’. You get the idea. A tight list of the most important images will give your photographer the freedom to do what they do best: create compelling images with the extra time they will have.
3. Let’s Review
I suggest a final planning meeting with your photographer, one month before your wedding day. This can in person, on the phone, via Skype or through email, but it is one meeting you should not miss. This is the perfect time to go over all of the final wedding day and photography details, including the shot list. This allows you and your photographer enough time to make changes before the wedding day.
4. Give the Gift of Time
Every year, the wedding day timeline seems to shrink. Wedding photographers are doing more, in less time, than in years past. An experienced wedding photographer can work well under pressure and produce consistently good images. But given the time, some of those images can be great. Give your photographer the gift of time and you will be glad you did.
5. Appoint A Liaison
The wedding photographers I know are very talented, but few are clairvoyant. By appointing a Wedding Day Liaison, you will add to that Gift of Time. This should be someone who knows your friends and family, or at least who they are, and can organize the folks and groups who will be in the family and friends portraits. Supply them with a wedding day timeline and a copy of the shot list and you will see the gleam in your photographer’s eye.
6. Be Prepared
The more your photographer knows about your wedding venues and the conditions that they will encounter there on your wedding day, the better the opportunities will be for capturing great shots. Help them by providing accurate and detailed information about the wedding day venues and the interesting locations in between. A little leg work, here, can go a long way. Ask your photographer if they ‘scout’ the venues before the wedding day. If they haven’t photographed a wedding there in the past, this may be the right time to plan a visit. Gently make suggestions for locations, at the venues and on the route between the ceremony and the reception. These could be perfect spots for a series of images that you will always remember, for the right reasons.
7. Be Realistic… Be Flexible
Even the very best constructed plans for a wedding day can change. Weather, traffic and the unknown often play a part in the wedding day activities. Be prepared for that…and don’t worry. An experienced wedding photographer has seen this before. As good as they are at handling the expected, they are often even better at coping with the unexpected…effortlessly. If things don’t go as planned, a seasoned wedding photographer will get the shots you expect and surprise you with those that you didn’t expect. Be ready to run outside, with the bridal party, and capture some beautiful images as the sun is setting Find The Light
8. See The Light…and use it.
As beautiful as the interior architecture of that 17th century church may be, there is a very good possibility that the light at the altar may not be equal to the architecture. If the light isn’t brilliant there, move to a spot where the light is beautiful, even and natural. If there are no spots like this inside, move outdoors. Find a friendly spot, in even light, where the ‘must have’ portraits can be taken. If the portraits must be taken at the altar (or indoors), ask your photographer how they deal with bad interior lighting. It is a common problem in wedding photography, so chances are good that they will have a solution. I carry a portable studio lighting rig for just such occasions. That turns nearly any room into a small studio.
9. Get Out of The Box…and out of the building
The Shot List is often a series of family and friend’s images that may seem ordinary enough on paper. That doesn’t mean the photographs have to be. You’ve spent a lot of time looking at websites and researching your wedding photographer’s work. By now you know something of their style and how the photographer handles certain types of images. Don’t be shy. Tell your photographer you are ‘up for anything and wouldn’t it be cool to get a shot of the bridal party on that barn roof at dusk!’. Experienced modern wedding photographers are some of the most creative and talented photographers working today. They have to be. The competition is strong and their clients demand no less.
10. Relax… Have Fun!!
Easy for me to say, but your wedding day will be a true success if you can. So, breathe deeply, let the trained professionals you’ve hired take care of the details…and relax! This is your day. Enjoy it and let your photographer weave their magic with compelling images that will tell the story of the day. Your smiles will tell everyone just how wonderful the day has been!
© 2012 Neil Colton Photography. All Rights Reserved
You can also see this article on the MyDeejay blog here: http://www.mydeejay.com/blog/
by Neil
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