Family Photo List

Why we recommend a family photo list!


If I am completely honest family photos can be one of the most stressful part of a wedding day for wedding couples! (in a nice way.. we all love our families). They are usually busy chatting and catching up with loves ones and having a great time.
It doesn’t have to be stressful, hence why we plan this part of the day in advance and not in the moment.

After your ceremony you have some time for hugs and kisses, a quick congratulations from your family and friends before we take your group photo and then your “must have” family photos. I hear stories of couples not receiving a photo with parents or grandparents on their wedding day and we certainly don’t want to miss this opportunity.

Depending on your wedding day photography timeline and your venues schedule we don’t always have a lot of time for your family photos. By having a family photo list we won’t miss any of those must have family photo combinations, and we will be super organised.

While everyone is looking their best I also try, if we have time, to take a photo of the parents, and grandparents together. We make the most of every opportunity!

Wedding ceremony at The Secret Garden Estate, Tamborine Mountain.

What is a Family Photo List?

A family photo list is an actual list of all of the “must have” family photo combinations.

This often only includes your immediate family members. In saying this, it is often because of your timeline and this also depends on the number of people in your extended family. By having a family photo list we ensure we have:

1. Photos with the most important people in your life; parents, siblings, grandparents and children
2. Nobody gets missed out. If someone ducks off to the bathroom or isn’t present when we do your photos, we will be calling for them.
3. It also stops your ‘long lost Aunt’ jumping into every photo. You love her but don’t need her in every wedding photo!

We commence your family photos straight after your group photo, and formal bridal party photo (if you have little ones included). This way everyone is together and we have everyone’s attention. We hold your family photos nearby your ceremony location.

How to Create your family photo list:

We want to start with your immediate family members and go from there.

As your photographer I take several photos of each group to ensure that everyone is looking their best. We estimate 2-3 minutes for each photo you have on your list. We complete the following for each of you. Here is an example:

Partner 1 Side

  • Partner 1 with mum
  • Partner 1 with dad
  • Partner 1 with both parents
  • Partner 1 and Partner 2 with parents
  • Partner 1 and Partner 2 with immediate family (siblings)
  • Partner 1 and Partner 2 with immediate family + partners
  • Partner 1 and Partner 2 with grandparents

Partner 2 Side

  • Partner 2 with dad
  • Partner 2 with both parents
  • Partner 2 and Partner 1 with parents
  • Partner 2 and Partner 1 with immediate family (siblings)
  • Partner 2 and Partner 1 with immediate family + partners
  • Partner 2 and Partner 1 with grandparents

Both Sides

  • Partner 1 and Partner 2 with both sets of parents

As mentioned above, if time allows, I also will take a photo of the parents together, and grandparents together. We make the most of every opportunity!

Creating your own family photo list…


I request this approx 2 weeks prior to your wedding day. If you need help please ask. I have created many family photo lists over the years, and help most of my couples with their family photo list. It’s a quick phone call and we can go through the family members of both sides and I can send you a list to get you started.

Everyone’s family looks different. Some families are more traditional; others include step parents or step family members; and others are made of friends who are so close that they might as well be family.

The list above is just to get you started. You need to create a list for your day, based on your family.

Also, your wedding reception is also a great time to grab some of those extra photos with extended family members.

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