Wedding photography checklist – top 80 shots
Renowned Australian photographer Shelton Muller has been photographing weddings professionally for more than 20 years. Here is his list of the 80 photographs yousimply must take if you’re photographing a wedding.
Bride at home
Candid shots as brides, bridesmaids and family prepare
Flower girl and page boy (if applicable)
Mother/bridesmaid adjusting veil
Corsage being pinned on mother
Corsage being pinned on father
Portrait of father and bride
Portrait of mother and bride
Brothers and sisters and bride
Group shot of bride and bridesmaids
Individual shots of bride with each bridesmaid
Full length of bride highlighting dress
¾ portraits of bride
Head and sholder portraits of bride
Bride leaving house with parents and bridemaids
Father helping bride into car
Bride in car
Prior to ceremony (time permitting)
Groom and grooms men
Best man adjusting groom’s tie or other fun theme
Groom with parents
Bride arrives
Bride with father and bridesmaids before ceremony
During the ceremony
Bridesmaids, flower girls, and ring bearer coming down the aisle
Bride being taken down the aisle by father
Father giving away bride
Shots during the ceremony itself (pre-approved by cleric or celebrant)
Overall area during ceremony
Exchange of rings
Kiss
Official “Singing Register” portrait
After the ceremony
Bride and groom coming down the aisle
Candids of friends and family congratulating the bride
Bride and groom on steps of church (if applicable)
Entire bridal party on the steps of church (if applicable)
Groom and groomsmen on steps of church (if applicable)
Bride and groom with all of bride’s family
Bride and groom with bride’s parents
Bride and groom with all of groom’s family
Bride and groom with groom’s immediate family
Bride and groom with groom’s parents
Groom with his parents
Bride and groom with both sets of parents
Bride and/or groom with special family members
Bride and groom getting into bridal vehicle
Bride and groom photographed through sunroof or window of bridal vehicle
Shots while seated in bridal vehicle
Wedding formal
Full length portraits of bride and groom together (various)
Portraits of bride and groom together
Head and shoulder portraits of the bride and groom together (various)
Entire wedding party (official group photo)
Entire wedding party (fun theme)
Portraits of groom and best man together
Shots of groom and groomsmen together
Shots of bride and chief bridesmaid
Portraits of the entire bridal party (time permitting)
Bride and groom with car (various)
Entire bridal party with car (various)
At the reception
Formal of couple cutting the cake prior to guests entering reception
Gift table
Official introduction of wedding party
Wedding party at the table with bride and groom
Close-up bride and groom at the bridal table
Close up of bride and groom kissing at the head table
Group shots of guests at their table during meal (if requested)
Speeches
First dance
Bride and father dance
Groom and mother dance
Parents dancing
Bridal party dancing
Guests dancing and fun shots
General dancing shots (wide and close-up)
Events as they occur
Candids of the bride and groom saying goodbyes
Bride and groom saying goodbyes
Bride and groom leaving
