Family Portraits

The family formal portion will take approx thirty minutes and will feel like the most staged photos all day, I promise. Family photos are to be formal, as it’s what your parents are most likely going to frame first! It’s important to do family photos immediately following the ceremony, rather before, as everyone will be accounted for! You run the risk of members being late, or busy, prior to the ceremony. These photos will go much smoother if you dedicate a bridesmaid or groomsmen {who knows your family members!} to call or gather up the members when they’re needed.

You don’t have to create a family formals shot-list, as I find it’s just one more thing to do before the wedding, and I want you to be as stress-free as possible in the days leading up to the wedding! I have a structure in my head that I call out at every wedding. Its important to have the immediate family present only; this includes -- parents, siblings, siblings significant others and grandparents. Any extended family members or friends can be photographed as a group during the reception :) If you start photographing further than immediate family, you’ll get put behind schedule and end up taking a photo with every single guest.

I’ve attached an example shot list below!:

You + mom
You + dad
You, Mom + Dad
You, Mom, Dad + Siblings
You, your partner, Mom, Dad + Siblings
You, your partner, Mom, Dad, Siblings. + Siblings significant others
You, your partner, Mom, Dad, Siblings, Grandparents
You and your Grandparents
3 Generations
You, your parents, your partner, your partners parents

* repeat for your partners side after *