Today I want to give my thoughts on wedding shot lists! (And trust me, I have THOUGHTS!)

You’ve seen them—those blogs with “100 must have wedding photos!” and those “Don’t forget these crucial wedding day shots!” headlines.

Tempting, aren’t they? 

Yes, they are. And understandably so.

Between coordinating with vendors, finalizing your timeline, and making sure Aunt Linda and Cousin Sarah aren’t seated at the same table, wedding planning is already consuming your every waking moment. 

A ready-made collection of must-have photos a.k.a shot list,  to give your wedding photographer feels like a safety net-and one less thing to panic about.

But are wedding shot lists helpful? Not really.

In this blog, I share why I’ll die on the hill that wedding shot lists are a waste of time and share something way better that sets your photographer up for success without micromanaging every frame.

 The Problem with Wedding Shot Lists

So, your normally stoic dad is trying to hide that he’s tearing up; your flower girl goes rogue and is now dancing down the aisle, stealing the show in the most adorable way possible; your friend breaks into the worm dance at the cocktail hour.

All these genuine, heart-melting moments are happening right in front of me, but where am I? 

I’m frantically flipping through a shot list, trying to remember if I got “artistic shot of shoes balanced on the vintage chair.” Not good. 

When you hire a wedding photographer, you are hiring their eyes, their instincts, and their ability to spot those split-second moments that tell your story. 

The ones you might miss yourself because you’re busy, you know, getting married.

So giving a wedding photographer a wedding shot list is you literally saying, “Thanks for your creative eye, but I’d prefer you to have them closed”. 

Besides missing candid moments, another problem with wedding  shot lists is that it can unintentionally box your photographer into a narrow framework, leaving less room for spontaneity or creative storytelling. 

Instead of focusing on the flow of the day, your wedding photographer feels obligated to stage moments that don’t necessarily naturally occur, which can and WILL result in photos that feel forced.

What Should You Do Instead of Creating a Shot List?

So, if a shot list isn’t the answer, how can you make sure your photographer captures what’s important?

1. Share What’s Most Important to You

Let me know what moments, people, or details are non-negotiable. This is a great thing to cover in our initial consultation/get to know each other.

Who are the people you absolutely need photographed? Is there a family member who’s been your rock, or a friend who’s practically family? 

Is it the way your grandparents hold hands during the ceremony? 

Let’s talk about it beforehand.

2. Trust Your Wedding Photographer

You hired me for a reason—because you trust my eye, my experience, and my ability to tell your story. Instead of micromanaging with a shot list, let me focus on capturing the moments that matter most. Besides, most things on a shot list end up being no-brainers, like OF COURSE I am going to capture the first kiss. 🤪

3. Focus on Being Present

The less time we spend staging shots, the more time you have to enjoy your day. And the more present you are, the more natural, beautiful, and meaningful your photos will be.

I promise I already know to photograph your first kiss , the rings, your dress (from more angles than you thought possible) and much more.

When a Shot List Actually Helps: Family Photos

Family formal photos is the one exception to my no wedding shot list stance. It is the one time where having a game plan for your wedding photo list really helps everyone.

Give me a list of your must-have family groupings, and I’ll make sure we capture them efficiently. I even provide a template for a family photo list when you book your wedding with me!

This keeps family photos organized and ensures I don’t miss any important combinations.

Here’s How I Work on Your Big Day

When I step into your wedding, my job is to document all of it—not just what’s happening, but how it feels.

That means you won’t catch me stopping the action to line people up like we’re in a yearbook photo. 

Instead, I’ll be blending into the background, keeping my eye on the real magic: the way your partner looks at you when you’re not paying attention, the laughter spilling out of your bridal party, the sheer joy on your face as you dance like no one’s watching.

There will be some prompting, but only when necessary!

I don’t need a shot list to do this. What I need is for you to trust me to notice you, your people, and your moments as they truly are.

What’s Next…

People like you who love photography have my heart forever. 

I respect your wedding and my craft too much to reduce either to a checklist so if you are still on the fence, hop over to my portfolio and see for yourself what happens when we ditch the shot list.

And if my work looks like what you are looking for, let’s talk.

I promise you won’t miss having that shot list – you’ll be too busy actually enjoying your wedding!

Happy wedding planning, sweet friend! And if you need a photographer to capture your beautiful day, I’ve got you covered. INQUIRE HERE 🤍

P.S. If you’re not even planning a wedding but read this whole thing anyway, you’re absolutely my kind of person. Like, can we be friends?

Follow me on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes looks at love stories (and occasional goofy reels like this one. I promise l’m a professional most of the time!😂😂😂 )