Shots to Share with Photographer

[NATASHA]

About two weeks before the wedding I sent this (large) document to Dino - our photographer - as an example of the types of photos that we were looking for. I also sent a shot list with the specific names of who we needed pictures with, but I was really more concerned with the style of photo we were going for.

I noticed that Dino specifically set up two pictures that I had included that were a bit more unusual than the others (most notably the one with the mariachi surrounding the bride and group as they walk after the ceremony) so he definitely used this.

Feel free to use it too. Oh - and sorry in advance to those of you whose shots I stole without prior written notice (Tammy!).

[Tammy Host]

YAY!! a bunch of my pics are in there...

[TammyB]

Hey Natasha, where did you get that table runner for your tables? I want a olive green on for our ceremony and dinner table and I can't find them online. Would Maye be able to get them do you think?

[NATASHA]

Yep, I believe that Maye had them made.

I paid $3 per chair to rent the chair bows and $6 per for 8 table runners.

[TammyB]

Thanks, I'll have to contact Maye to see about getting a couple.. thanks again..

[Natalie Z]

Thanks for posting! Great information

[AnnR]

I came across this list of shots to give to your photographer (today seems to be a list day!) - and thought I'd share. Some may not apply all that well for a DW - but it gets you thinking anyway.

GETTING READY
Bride's dress on the hanger or over a chair
Close-up of bride's shoes
Close-up of bride's bouquet
Bride in curlers or having makeup applied
Bridesmaids applying their makeup
Bride putting on garter
Mom and/or bridesmaids helping the bride arrange her dress, bustle the train, etc.
Close-up of dress details
Bride together with bridesmaids
Bride hugging mom
Flower girl(s) ready to go
Mom or bridesmaids putting finishing touches on bride, adding the veil, etc.
Bride spending moment alone, thinking quietly, praying or looking out the window
Full-length shot of bride all dressed and ready to go
Groom putting on tie
Groom with groomsmen
Ring bearer ready to go
Groom with dad, hugging or whispering advice
Bride and groom separately getting in the car, limo or cab


CEREMONY
Groom looking out the window, waiting for the bride to arrive
Car arriving with bride
Bride stepping out of the car
Wide shot of ceremony space from the back
Guests arriving (especially if they're using special transportation like a shuttle bus, boat or even escalator)
Ushers helping grandparents and special guests to their seats
Front and back shots of flower girl/ring bearer walking down the aisle
Close up of details (guest book, pew decorations, etc.)
Groom and groomsmen waiting nervously for bride to walk down aisle
Guests sitting down, waiting for ceremony to start
Bridesmaids walking down the aisle
Wedding party standing at the altar
Bride just before walking down the aisle
Back shot of bride (and escort) beginning to walk down the aisle
Full-frontal shot of bride (and escort) walking down the aisle
Close-up of groom's face when he sees bride for the first time (this can be done earlier, if photos are done before the ceremony)
Back shot of bride and groom together at the altar with officiant between them
Shot focusing on bridesmaids' bouquets, lined up as they hold them at the altar
Close-up of each hand as the rings are exchanged
Close-up of bride's face, as seen over the groom's shoulder
Close-up of groom's face, as seen over the bride's shoulder
Shot of both sets of parents' faces as they witness ceremony
The kiss
Happy couple walking back down the aisle together, as married couple
Guests getting ready to shower the couple with well wishes (and bubbles, birdseed, etc.) as they leave
Bride and groom walking out of ceremony space, hand-in-hand


BEFORE THE RECEPTION ? During the cocktail hour (These can be taken before the ceremony)
Full shot of bride and groom together, smiling
Full shot of bride and groom hugging
Full shot of bride and groom kissing
Bride being lifted or carried by groom or sitting on groom's lap
Close-up of couples' faces as bride is lifted, carried or sitting on groom's lap
Bride with her parents
Groom with his parents
Bride with groom's parents
Groom with bride's parents
Bride with bridesmaids
Groom with groomsmen
Bride with groomsmen
Group shot of bride, groom, family and wedding party
Groom leaning up against a wall with bride in front of him, kissing
Bride and groom walking toward the camera, holding hands
Bride and groom walking away from camera, holding hands
Bride and groom looking off in the same direction together


RECEPTION
Close-up of details (place settings, name cards, etc.)
Close-up of centerpieces
Wide shot of entire room before everyone arrives, even better if taken from above
Any special moments during the receiving line process
Bride and groom's first dance
Groom dipping bride
Bride dancing with her dad -- close-up of her face as seen over his shoulder
Groom dancing with his mom
Close-up of cake
Bride showing her new ring to the guests
Bride and groom hugging guests, close-ups of faces
Best man (or other guests) making a toast to the couple
Bride and groom's faces as they listen to the toast(s)
Guests smiling and clapping
Guests dancing and cutting loose on the dance floor. (Tip: Ask for a slow shutter speed to get a blurry/focused effect)
Wide shot of entire room after guests arrive, even better if taken from above
Close-ups of guests' faces, laughing and having a great time -- lots of these
Groups of friends sitting together at their table or dancing
Bride and groom whispering to each other
Parents (or even better, grandparents) dancing
Kids dancing or playing around
Close-up of band or DJ
Bride and groom cutting the cake
Bride and groom feeding each other
Bride and groom in back seat of getaway car
Back of car as it drives away

[Christine]

great lists ladies...I am so using this...

[jthrasherphoto.com]

Ladies, this is all very good info. However, I think some of these details should be discussed with your photographer BEFORE you hire him.

When you meet with a potential photographer, you should be checking to see if you like his/her style (of course) and also if he's shooting the types of shots you want. Many of the shots that are on these lists are obvious shots that a good photographer will know to get. Most of us have been doing weddings for a while so we know the important shots to get. Of course, there is no harm in letting your photographer know that you specifically want shots of yourself with aunt Betty or Grandpa Smith. But for the most part I think these lists were developed because someone had their friend or uncle Bob shooting their wedding for free.

There are some photogrpahers (NOT saying me), who might get a little upset with the fact that their clients who are sending them photos because it shows a little lack of faith in them. You should be able to have total faith in the photographer you choose that he will deliver the shots you want, because you hired him based on his style and talents. Also, there are some (again, NOT saying me) who might take his/her client sending photos of someone else's work as "I like this style, not yours" or "my client is trying to tell me how to do my job"

Again, i'm not saying this is me, but I think I might get a little frustrated if I had a client who was excessively sending me photos or telling me shots I know I need to get.

Just a heads up and something to consider. I hope that makes sense.

[jthrasherphoto.com]

also, one more thing. Another problem I find with lists is many times it can set you up for disappointment when you get your photos back. Many times it's impossible for the photographer to get ALL of the shots on your list because of how the day flows, people are late, the flower girl is sick, etc.

You can't predict how the day will go and of go and of course, most of us do our best to get all the shots you need but just a warning, that most of the time it can't work out that way for one reason or another.