As you’re doing research for your wedding, I’m sure you’re coming across articles that tell you to give your photographer a detailed shot list so you make sure to have everything captured. 

Well I’ll let you in on a secret, if your photographer needs a shot list they shouldn’t be a wedding photographer. 

Giving your wedding photographer a detailed shot list completely takes away their ability to capture the true story of your day. Every photo becomes fabricated so an item can be crossed off that list. 

I’ll let you in on another secret that Pinterest and Instagram won’t show you: you are worthy of being photographed as you are. Your wedding day is worthy of being photographed even if it’s not Pinterest standards. You are enough.

When you’re looking back at your photos in 10, 20, 50 years you’ll want to see the true moments. You’ll want the photos to take you back to that moment, to allow you to remember every detail. Speaking from experience, working off of a shot list makes it very difficult to capture the true story. If I’m worried about capturing a photo of your shoes, I may miss the moment your grandma walked into the room and gave you a big hug and her advice on a good marriage. Or if we’re focused on capturing that portrait you saw on Pinterest of a bride standing in a window, you may miss out on a fun moment with your friends who are in the other room. Do you see my point? 

You’ve done all this work to get to the wedding day, why make the day even more work by worrying yourself with the photos? That’s why you hired a professional photographer who knows what they’re doing. Live your life and enjoy the day, so when you are looking back on the photos you’re remembering the true moment in each photograph rather than the posing and directing to get a “moment” to happen for the photo. 

The only helpful shot list…

The only shot list that is helpful is a short list of things your photographer wouldn’t normally know.
Some examples:
• your aunt handmade your wedding dress so you’d like lots of detail photos of it
• your favorite cousin, who you never see, will be at the wedding but only for a couple hours, so you want to make sure to get a photo with them
• your dog can’t be at your wedding but you’re wearing socks with her face on them and you’d like photos so it feels like she’s included.

If your wedding photographer is experienced, they will know how to capture your day. Just be sure to communicate with them and share all the special circumstances so they are fully equipped and know what to keep their eye open for.