10 Tips for Family Photos
10 Tips to Make the Most of Your Family Photo Time on Your Wedding Day
Family photos matter. They are some of the most shared, most framed, and most loved images from a wedding day. But without a plan, this part of your timeline can slip from calm to chaotic fast. The good news is that a little preparation keeps everything smooth, stress free, and quick, which means more time for portraits of the two of you.
Here are ten tips to help you get the best from your family photo time.
1. Keep the list short and intentional
Think about which groupings you truly want. Parents, siblings, grandparents, and any must have people. Limit combinations so the session stays focused. The shorter the list, the smoother the experience. The longer the list the longer you also have to stand and smile and be present. Allow 2 minutes per grouping.
2. Share the list with your photographer early
Send your family photo list before the wedding. This helps your photographer build a timeline that supports your priorities and keeps everyone moving. This will also allow your photographer to give you an accurate idea of how long your list will take including buffer time.
3. Put the list in order
Start with the largest groups first, then move to smaller ones. This lets older relatives or guests with mobility needs finish earlier and head to cocktail hour. This also allows your photographer to set up your dress for the images with minimal adjustments.
4. Choose a clear meeting spot
Pick a location for family photos and tell everyone exactly where to be. No wandering, no searching, no delays. Be sure to give advance notice to all those who will the in the family formals where and when they should meet. Ideally doing the family formals right after the ceremony helps keep people together and saves a lot of wrangling later.
5. Assign a family wrangler
Choose someone who knows your families well. They can help gather the right people for each photo while you stay centered and relaxed.
6. Tell your families ahead of time
Let everyone on the list know they are part of formal family photos. Most delays happen because someone didn’t realize they were needed or they wander off too soon. Keeping everyone together can be challenging so the more communication ahead of time will make a big difference on your wedding day.
7. Keep phones out of sight
Ask family members to tuck phones and bags away. Clean hands, fewer distractions, and no photo bombers staring at screens. Also remind family and bystanders not to take their own group photos during this time. Competing cameras create confusion about where to look and slow everything down for your photographer.
8. Prepare for weather and light
If your ceremony is outdoors, have a backup spot nearby in case of harsh light or rain. This keeps the session quick and consistent. Your photographer will always look for soft, even light, usually in gentle shade, so everyone is lit evenly without heavy shadows or bright hot spots.
9. Plan to stay in one place
Moving from spot to spot takes time. Choose one solid location with good light and stay there. Family photos are about the people, not the scenery, so a tidy, evenly lit area works best. If that spot is at or close to the ceremony location, even better.
10. Stay present and trust the process
Family photo time moves quickly when everyone follows the plan. Trust your photographer, stay relaxed, and enjoy the moments with the people who matter most.
