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Today I want to give you a rounded perspective on the infamous “shot list” for photographers on wedding days. And let me tell you….there is definitely good, bad & ugly!

THE GOOD
Let’s start with the good! There is something incredibly important about informing your wedding photographer from the start of your expectations that you have for them on your wedding day! This is a once in a lifetime experience—and they know what an immense honor and weighty responsibility they have been entrusted with! And like everything in life, communication is key! From the initial inquiry over coffee throughout your engagement session and to your wedding day, the more you let your photographer in on what type of poses you enjoy (more candid, looking at the camera, in between moments etc) the better! In doing this, you will allow them to understand your style and better serve you in the images that they create for you! A couple months before my couples weddings, I send out a long questionnaire for them to fill out. Near the end I have a space for my brides & grooms to include any “must have” pictures. Aka: These are the shots that they would be incredibly disappointed if I did not capture. It is in this section that I more deeply understand what is important to my couples—-and this is good!!! This allows me to create an incredible experience for them, to love them by serving them well, to make sure they are happy at the end of our time together!

THE BAD
However.
Yes…however, I follow that paragraph with this. As much as I want that section of my questionnaire to better inform me, here’s what that section is not. It’s not a place for every possible Pinterest idea to be attached. I would argue as good as it is for me to know you “must have” pictures, creating an extensive shot list will actually do more harm than good. Let me explain.

Say your photographer is in the middle of bridal party portraits. They’ve found an incredible location and the lighting is perfect–its what every photographer dreams of! If a shot list were involved here’s what would happen. After every picture they would have to put down their camera and pull out the list, then try to copy an image that has none of the same elements as the spot that you are currently in. Creativity is stifled, copied and the bride is losing valuable time (and memories!) As much as some think a shot list is helping your photographer–it is actually limiting them, their workflow, their inspiration and vision (aka: everything you hired them for!) In between candid pictures are lost because instead of being fully in every moment of your wedding they are reading a list. It’s bad. Real bad. But it gets worse.

THE UGLY
Maybe the worst part of a shot list is this. Without actually saying anything, creating an extensive shot list for your photographer is you saying over and over again, “I don’t trust you.” And if there is any one thing that will cripple the quality of your time with your photographer and prohibit them from doing their absolute best work (which is what every single wedding photographer deeply wants–YOU to be happy!) subliminally saying that they aren’t trusted will do it.

So as you plan your wedding keep these tips in mind! Remember shot lists aren’t all bad (everything in moderation!) but the way you are always, always, always going to receive the most incredible, creative, original wedding images is by trusting your photographer to do what they love….and love doing for you!