Picture Perfect: Tips and Advice for Formal Family Photos at Your Wedding
Your wedding day is an occasion when families come together, and formal family photos are an important part of the day. However, family photos at a wedding can be stressful, particularly if you have a large family or family dynamics that can complicate things. Here are some tips to make the process go smoothly:
Location
Don't worry about the location of the photos. As a photographer, I will look for a location around the church or ceremony that has good, even light and a background that is not too busy.
Complicated Family Dynamics
If you have a complicated family, such as divorces or family members who don't talk to each other, consider writing a list of the combinations that you want to include in your photos. Write the list on the back of the program so that family and guests know exactly who is required for photos.
Sibling's Partners
It's always great to have a family photo with everyone in it, including your siblings' partners who are not married. I recommend taking two photos - one with their partners and one without. This way, you'll have a wonderful family photo, and if anything changes in the future, you'll still have a beautiful memory to cherish.
Enlist Help
Don't hesitate to ask for help from your bridal party, MC, or any outgoing family members to assist with gathering your family and friends for photos. It can be a bit of a challenge to find everyone on your own, and having some extra hands on deck can make the process much smoother and quicker.
Stick to One Photographer
To make the family photo process run smoothly and efficiently, it's best if the photographer is the only one taking photos. While it's understandable that family members may want to snap their own pictures, it can slow down the process and lead to confusion. Plus, they can always get copies of the photos from you later on. So sit back, relax, and let the photographer do their thing to ensure that you have stunning family photos to cherish for years to come!
Time
To estimate the amount of time needed for family photos, just add two minutes for each combination. For instance, if you have ten combinations, then it should take around 20 minutes.
Create a List
Here are some common standard combinations for formal family photos at weddings:
Bride and groom with bride's parents
Bride and groom with bride's immediate family (parents and siblings)
Bride and groom with bride's grandparents
Bride and groom with groom's parents
Bride and groom with groom's immediate family (parents and siblings)
Bride and groom with groom's grandparents
Bride with her parents
Groom with his parents
Bride and groom with both sets of parents
Bride and groom with both sets of parents and all siblings
Bride and groom with all immediate family members (parents and siblings)
Bride and groom with all grandparents.
These are just some standard combinations and can vary depending on the couple's preferences and family dynamics. If you book a wedding with me, we’ll discuss these family photo combinations in advance to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day of the wedding.
Don't have a list of combinations ready? No problem at all! The photographer can guide you through the standard combinations, like the bride and groom with their parents, siblings, and grandparents.
Big Group Photo
I love capturing the essence and energy of your wedding day! When it comes to taking large group photos, I've found that it can sometimes disrupt the natural flow of the celebration as it requires me to raise my voice and interrupt conversations to gather everyone's attention. Additionally, with limited space in some venues, it can be challenging to get even lighting on a large group of people.
In my experience, photos of 40-200 people all looking at the camera can sometimes result in a photo where you can see the faces of those in the front rows well, but those in the back can be difficult to see clearly. That's why I prefer to take group photos of your guests in smaller groups, such as your work friends, uni friends, or school friends. This way, we can capture everyone's unique personalities and connections in a more intimate and relaxed setting.
Of course, if a large group photo is something you really want, I'm more than happy to accommodate your request and capture that special moment for you! Ultimately, my goal is to make sure you have a collection of beautiful and meaningful photos that reflect the joy and love of your wedding day.
Overall, formal family photos are an essential part of your wedding album, and they are a great way to document your family and loved ones together. With these tips, you can ensure that the process goes smoothly and that you have beautiful, lasting photos to cherish for years to come.
