Wedding group shots

The jury is out; wedding group shots – should we love them or loathe them?

I’m going to put my neck on the line here and say I actually LOVE wedding group shots. And when I say a group shot, yes, I mean the formal ones where you are stood in the nicest place possible, in a row, smiling at the camera. But also the informal ones – where you’re gathered into a huge group on the dance floor. Or maybe where you were stood talking to family members and we got a nice shot, but informally.

I love wedding group shots. However, I DON’T LOVE a huge long list of formal group shots. Honestly, there is nothing worse than when my inbox pings open an email with a list of group shots longer than my arm. The sad thing is that sometimes clients feel compelled to do more group shots than they would have liked to, because another family member expects it – they don’t even want to do them. Take it from me – I’ve been to a few weddings – it uses up too much time and isn’t enjoyable for anyone. You miss out on all the canapés and fizz and end up with face ache and little time for anything else. Take back control! Do the group shots, but do them your own way.

I have a recommended list of shots and in this blog I’ll explain why and how I execute them, using examples from weddings I’ve shot along the way.

First and foremost, let’s get the family sorted. A wedding wouldn’t be a wedding without a family group shot – right?

My recommended shot list for family group shots is simple and is listed on my wedding details form. If this doesn’t work for you due to extended families then I’m happy to work with you to find a shot list that works and will flow smoothly on the day.

Here is an example of the flow of the family group shots at a wedding I shot recently. At this wedding the groom’s Grandma was less mobile than the others so we shot her group shot close to where she was sitting, and moved the rest of the shots to the preferred location.

By doing the family group shots in a well organised way, they can be relaxed and fun.

The Squad Shot.

You and your favourite chosen squad, all looking HOT. We need to get some shots of that! Let’s get some smily ones and some (un)cool ones. My favourites, though, have to be the out takes!

We might think we’ve nailed the group shots at this point, but poor Aunty Babs is feeling left out. Or perhaps you’re super close to a certain family member. In that case we can easily squeeze more in, but it’s up to you how we do that. Here’s an idea – how about you go and grab a glass of fizz, pop a canapé in your (frankly) starving mouth and go find those special people? Whilst I’m shooting my candid bits, I’ll grab a shot of you with those special people. These often include grandparents, godparents, family from other countries etc. There’s no need to leave anyone out so long as you get some time to enjoy your wedding!

These all important group shots don’t even have to be of you. Who would have thought it, but sometimes people just want a shot of them at your wedding. After the wedding breakfast is usually a really great time for me to mill around and get some fun, perhaps slightly drunk photos, of some of the groups at your wedding. The uni crew, Mum’s and Dad’s best friends, the kids. Let’s keep everyone happy and feeling loved.