If you are in the process of planning a wedding, I want you to add something to your to-do list today: Create a must-have photo list. This is a chance for you write down the shots you want to be sure to get the day of your wedding. Keep in mind that this list does not have to be very long, but a write-up of maybe 10-20 specific shots can be super helpful for both you and your photographer (which may just be me!!)
Here are a few of my tips to help you write the perfect list:
Manage expectations.
Be realistic about what you want. Think about the venue, your wedding party, and the overall vibe, and then consider any limitations that might come into play. Whether you want guests to have sparklers or throw confetti, or you want to include pets in the processional, make sure you okay it with the venue first!
Plan for group shots.
It never hurts to have a checklist of all the group shots you want. But don’t stop at just the typical family photos… go for all the non-traditional groups that you want too! Maybe you and your fiance met at work and there were some coworkers that played a key role in bringing you two together. Maybe you were a college athlete and you want to get a photo with all of the teammates that made it out to your big day. I’m all for capturing group photos of you and your squad, because outside of weddings there may not be a lot of natural opportunities to get these types of shots.
Prioritize.
Think about what’s most important to you and then leave off all the other shots that aren’t all that meaningful. The more focused we are on what you really want, the happier you’ll be with the overall outcome.
Trust us.
We’ve been doing this for a while, so we know a few things about lighting, positioning, poses, etc. that may seem weird or awkward in the moment but photograph soooo nicely. The purpose of your must-have list is not to do our job for us; it’s to give us some ideas for building more of your own style into the day. So find that happy medium of having some fave poses, while also allowing us to try a few of our own!
Our job at Tiger Lily Photography is to capture the essence of your wedding day, including all of the obvious big shots like the first look, the first kiss, and so on and so forth. But sometimes couples have specific photos they’re hoping to walk away with, and let’s be honest, we’re not in the business of reading minds so we may not know this if you don’t tell us! If you’re one of my clients, feel free to email this list to me so that I have it ahead of your wedding day–and so that I can easily access it the day of! If you’re still looking for a photographer for your big day, go ahead and send me an email at hello@tigerlilyphotomn.com or feel free to just contact me here!
with love, Emily
