Family Photographs on the Wedding Day

I hope y’all are loving this series as much as I do and that you’re finding it so helpful in your wedding planning, too!

And today! We are talking the big enchilada: Family Photographs on the Wedding Day.

I hope you are so ready to hear about how I make family photographs seamless and easy for all of my couples. No matter how enormous or tiny your family is, I’ve got you for family photos! Listen or read below as I answer frequently asked questions about how I handle family photographs on wedding days.

Frequently Asked Questions: Family Photo Edition

Do You Require A Shot List?

Short Answer: Nope!

Long Answer: No, but this is pretty unconventional compared to traditional wedding photography.

When I started photographing weddings in 2011, family photographs totally freaked me out. Back then – and honestly until late 2014 – I always used a shot list. I tried this a lot of ways. Sometimes I’d call out the shot list. Sometimes Andrew would read the shot list. Other times a bridesmaid or aunt would read the shot list. No matter what, though, someone always seemed to be missing. So, as time went on, I came up with my own system. Here’s how it goes!

(Side Note: If you are a wedding photographer reading this, totally feel free to steal this idea. I think I’ve recommended this to every wedding photographer I’ve ever mentored in the past six or seven years and, while I don’t want to toot my own horn, it’s a game changer!)

We start BIG with family photos. Like, your biggest requested shot.

Sometimes this is a shot of literally everyone at the wedding. Sometimes this is the bride’s immediate family + a few grandparents. Other times, it’s both families together. And from there?  We work down! Depending on the wedding, I pick the family that’s either the largest or the family with the most young kids. From the big photo, we work our way all the way down to a photo of one partner + their mom. And after that? We start all over again on the other partner’s side! Honestly, it’s a breeze. Like, it’s just really great.

What Are Family Photos With You Like During the Wedding Day?

Pretty much how I just described!

As you can imagine, shooting this way does take a bit of bossiness on my part. I say this in the most loving way possibly but, honestly, family photographs during weddings are always a bit like herding cats. Weddings are exciting! There’s people to see, couples to compliment, and grandkids to squeeze. It’s an amazing day! While I know family photographs can be stressful for the couple, my goal when shooting these portraits is to make it as painless as possible. It’s going to be fun, I promise!

I Might Not Want Everyone in Every Photo. Is That Okay?

Absolutely! This is totally okay and even expected on my part.

When I photographed family portraits off of family shot lists, it could sometimes be awkward to tell a family member’s new boyfriend or an estranged family member to step out of the photograph. With the system I use now, though, it’s no big deal at all. Because we’re dwindling down the photographs by each group, it makes sense to remove a family member or close friend when going from a large group to a small group. Also, keep in mind: I’m super cheerful as I do this! I’ll make lots of jokes as we shoot and, during transition times, I’ll quietly check in with the couple to make sure we haven’t missed anyone / we’ve gotten every photo they want. And if we do miss someone? We’ll grab that photo at the reception!

Keep in mind! Family photographs are so important and such a wonderful keepsake at the wedding but, sometimes, it’s best to just get the shot at move on. I don’t mean this as a cop out – I mean this in the sense that, if Uncle Fred won’t step to the right so I can see his face better, I’ll ask once or twice and then take the photo if he won’t budge. This keeps the energy bright, upbeat, and moving. And if Uncle Stan wanders off in search of Aunt Lillian for the big group photo? We’ll typically grab some small photos as we wait for them to get back. I really believe in flexibility in weddings. We have a plan and, once the wedding’s in full swing, we’ll adjust that plan as needed! Love that!

My Family is Huge!! How Can We Make Photos Painless?

I see you! As someone with five siblings and an enormous amount of extended family, I get you!

Actually, now that I’m writing this post, I think my experience with big families absolutely plays into this approach! Going big and narrowing down gives us a controlled sort of chaos and, as a photographer, I just really thrive in that situation. However! I 100% am there with with you when it comes to making photos painless. And to do this? I have two real simple solutions.

First! If family photographs are before the wedding, tell all of your family member that the family photographs are fifteen to twenty minutes before their scheduled start time. Have family members that are chronically late? Tell them the start time is thirty minutes before they’re supposed to be there. While there’s no way to guarantee everyone will arrive on time, this absolutely helps!

Second! Doing family photos after the ceremony? Awesome! At the end of the ceremony – after the first kiss, after the walk down the aisle, etc. – have your officiant announce that all family members need to stay at the ceremony spot for family photographs. Want to make this even more seamless? Assign a fave aunt or uncle (from each side of the family!) and have them catch anyone who tries to leave during photographs. And remember: Family photographs are totally controlled chaos. It’s going to be a little crazy and you’re going to get hugged nonstop and, even on the most seamless flow, you’re going to wonder when the photos will be done. That’s all totally normal! I’ve got you!!

Most Importantly: Your Photographer’s Got You.

One last thought! As a wedding photographer in Arkansas, I am not afraid to go to bat for you.

If you want Aunt Sally out of a family photo, I’m not afraid to pull her out. If you want family photographs to speed up, I will amp up my bossiness. If someone wants to adjust your train but it looks totally fine, I’ll tell them you look perfect. While I can’t control people’s faces during huge group shoots and I won’t totally bully someone to move if they don’t want to, I’m absolutely there to stand up for the thing YOU want in YOUR photos. This is your wedding and your wedding day! I’m here to take awesome photographs and help you have the most relaxed day possible. So, when it comes to family photos, don’t even worry about them. I’ve (still!) got you!

Also, can I just say? I LOVE family photographs on the wedding day. They’re always some of my fave photographs from each and every wedding day. Can’t you just feel the joy in all the photographs on this post?! Ah! I freaking love them!

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Based in Fayetteville, Arkansas Lissa Chandler is a portrait and wedding photographer. Lissa is also the owner of Opal and June where she offers mockup photographs, bookish + history merch, and the dreamiest photoshoot dress rentals. Additionally, Lissa is the host of the podcast Your Photographer Mom. As a creative photographer in Northwest Arkansas, Lissa doesn’t niche down on a genre. She niches on a feeling instead! That feeling? The huge, happy feeling of hope and excitement that you feel as a kid opening up a huge box of 120 crayons. Sound like a feeling you remember? Let’s shoot!