What family wedding formal shots should be taken?

In my last blog post, I discussed the importance of formal family wedding photos. In this post and in future posts, I will discuss these family photos in more detail.

The topic for today is what family portraits to put on your must-have list. Here at Lori Black Photography I have a set list that I try to shoot, and I will share it with you now.

Immediate families for both sides

The families of the bride and groom will in nearly all cases want photos of the entire family. I photograph the bride alone with her entire family, then I add the groom to the mix and get the the family with the bride and groom. Then I do the same for the groom’s family. In most cases, these photos will consist of the parents and siblings of the bride and groom.

In cases where the parents are divorced, whether they are remarried or not, I ask the bride how she wants this handled. Sometimes brides and grooms will have both parents in the same photo even if they are divorced. Sometimes they will opt for separate photos – one with the mother and one with the father. If remarriages are involved, these photos will include the step-parents.

Then I break down these groups. I have the bride and groom photographed alone with mom and then with dad. Then alone with both parents without the siblings. After that, the bride with her siblings then the groom with his siblings. Sometimes, if desired, I will photograph the bride and groom alone with one sibling at a time.

After the immediate families, I will expand the group. It is here that the siblings spouses and children will get in on the full family photos.

Adding the grandparents

Then grandparents may be added to the group. At this point it can be a pretty large group, so I shoot several photos since it is likely that I will take a picture with someone’s eyes closed.

After the full large family, I will ask that the bride be photographed alone with her grandparents and then the same for the groom. Then if desired the bride and groom can pose with the grandparents.

This sounds like a lot of photos, and usually it is – especially when photos are large.

These photos, however, will be treasured by the family so it is imperative that they be taken.

You may use my suggestions when you decide what family wedding photos you want, or come up with your own. I will always ask brides for their input when deciding what photos they want. Writing down the list of desired photos is ideal.