Posed family group shots are timeless moments included in most wedding albums. While memorable, shooting these scenes can be time consuming and stressful to both the photographer and the families if not well planned out in advance. We at Steve Smith Weddings have compiled our tricks of the trade and would like to pass them along to you. Whether you’re a wedding planner, meticulous bride/groom, or a photographer, we feel that these tips will help make executing your family wedding photos much smoother, faster, and more enjoyable for all.
Basic Scripting
- Obtain a list of all the family member’s names and their relationship to the bride or groom well before the wedding.
- With the bride and groom’s help, prepare a list of all the family combinations they would like to have captured, i.e., bride with mother and father, bride and groom with mother and father, etc.
- Prepare a script noting who will be coming into and exiting each group shot.
- Keep in mind that children and elderly people tend to have limited patience. We recommend that you script photos with these particular family members early in the session so that they can be excused as quickly as possible.
- Order your shots so that moving the subject’s in/out can be accomplished smoothly and efficiently. The fewer people to move between shots, the easier the shoot will flow.
Sample Script:
Family Members
- Bride: Julia
- Groom: Cliff
- Bride’s Mother: Carolyn
- Bride’s Father: Charles
- Bride’s Sister: Joanne
- Brides Brother: John
In/Out Staging
- Bride with her Mother: Julia and Carolyn In
- Bride with her Mother & Father: Charles In
- Bride & Groom with Bride’s Mother & Father: Cliff In
- Bride & Groom with Bride’s Mother, Father & Siblings: Joanne and John In
- Bride & Groom with Bride’s Siblings: Carolyn and Charles Out
- Bride with her Siblings: Cliff Out
Additional Tips
- Use an assistant–either one you bring, or a volunteer wedding attendee who knows the family. Have the assistant use the script to gather and stage the people needed to come in and out of the shots. The assistant should also track which shots have been done. This enables the photographer to focus on the technical and creative side of things while pleasantly and efficiently moving the subjects in and out. The majority of them would much rather be at the reception festivities than taking pictures.
- Do your best to stick to your script. There is a strong tendency to skip over people that may be absent for one reason or another. Not waiting can throw off the subsequent scripting and leave you and your assistant to adjust on the fly. In the end, the judgment call is yours. If you think that your wedding party can be patient enough for uncle Charlie to come back from the restroom then by all means wait for him.
- Kind gestures tend to go a long way. Say please and thank you. Smile. Offer your arm to anyone who may need and/or appreciate assistance in getting to/from where the photo is being taken. Thank everyone for their patience and cooperation. You’re more likely to get friendly smiles from your subjects if project positive energy towards them.
Summary
Family group scenes are almost always a necessary part of “telling the story of the wedding day” and an important facet of the collection of photos. Your organization and timely execution will be much appreciated. Not to mention, a bit of weight will be lifted from your shoulders.
Posted by Ray J. 
Steve Smith Weddings Blog - Boise, Sun Valley, McCall - Idaho 