Guide · 5 min read
How to plan family photos without the chaos
Family photos are the part of the day most likely to run long and stress everyone out, usually because no one planned them. With a short list and one person assigned to gather people, the formals take twenty to thirty calm minutes instead of an hour of confused shouting. Here is the system.
Before you read on
Know exactly what your day costs
Every price is published, no form required. See the full pricing, then tell us your date and venue.
Build a short, specific shot list
Before the day, write out exactly which groupings you want, by name. The two of you with each set of parents, with grandparents, with siblings, and a few combined family shots. Keep it tight, because every extra grouping adds minutes and pulls focus from your portraits and the party.
Send us the list ahead of time. When we already know the groupings, we move down them one by one with no guesswork, and you are done before anyone gets restless.
Assign one loud, friendly helper
The single best move is to pick one relative who knows both families and put them in charge of rounding people up. They call out the next grouping while we shoot the current one, so there is always someone ready to step in. This one role saves more time than anything else.
Choose someone outgoing and unafraid to herd a crowd. A shy helper is a slow helper, and these minutes add up fast.
Pick the right time and spot
Right after the ceremony is usually best, while everyone is gathered and dressed. Tell family members in advance to stick around rather than rushing to cocktail hour, because chasing down a missing uncle is the classic time sink.
We scout a clean, well lit spot near the ceremony so there is no long walk. A short list, a good helper, and the right location turn the formals into the smoothest block of the day.
Good to know
Common questions
How do I keep wedding family photos from taking forever?
Two things. A short shot list of named groupings sent to us in advance, and one outgoing relative assigned to gather people. Together they turn the formals into a calm twenty to thirty minute block.
When should we do family photos?
Usually right after the ceremony, while everyone is gathered and dressed. Tell family to stay close rather than heading straight to cocktail hour so no one goes missing.
How many family groupings should we plan?
Keep it tight. The two of you with each set of parents, grandparents, and siblings, plus a few combined shots covers most families. Every extra grouping adds minutes you lose from portraits and the party.
