the Plan

Tips on Making a Great Formals List and Surviving the Experience

This is a FIRST NAME (last name where it is needed to prevent mix-ups) list of everyone you would like in your formal family group potraits. There is no limit (except time) to the number of individuals you can choose to include on your shot list. Figure 2-3 minutes per group. You do not need to list the wedding party shots (bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls etc) as we have already listed some the usual ones and will come up with others depending on your wedding party.

Start with the shots that are most important to you. If we run out of time some of the shots can be taken at the reception. IF YOU ARE USING A FORM THAT WE PROVIDED, YOU DO NOT NEED TO FILL IN ALL THE LINES

If possible, start with the largest groups, eliminating individuals from the group with each shot rather than adding to the group. For example, the 1st shot could include Bride & Groom, both sets of parents, siblings and grandparents. For the second shot excuse everyone except Bride & Groom and both sets of parents. For the third shot excuse one set of parents, and so on.

If your shot list includes individuals that may not be comfortable waiting a long time to be in a group shot such as older grandparents or small children, try to list those shots early so they can go off somewhere more comfortable. Or you might have them arrive towards the end of the time we set aside for formals to be in some of the last group shots.

All shots not involving the bride should be listed last if your list is long. That will allow the bride to leave if guests start arriving while we are still shooting formals.

Assign someone to be in charge of the list. This should be a friend or family member who knows all or most of the people listed. Not the venue wedding coordinator! Sometimes it might work best to assign two individuals, one from both sides of the family. Try to have it be someone other than the Go To person. That person is often off answering questions during the formals. This List Coordinator should be instructed to gather up the next group on the list while your photographers are posing the first group. The List Coordinator needs to be organized and have the demeanor of a drill sergeant. Make sure they have a pen or pencil in order to cross off each shot. They can make a real difference in how smooth or chaotic the formal shoot goes. The List Coordinator is primarily responsible for making sure that you get all the group shots you want.

Start your list weeks before the wedding so you can periodically check it to make sure you haven't forgotten anyone. EMAIL A COPY OF YOUR FORMALS LIST TO PATRICE. THIS IS A BACKUP COPY. YOU ARE STILL REPONSBLE FOR GETTING THE LIST TO THE WEDDING AND MAKING SURE IT IS IN THE HANDS OF YOUR FAMILY FORMALS LIST COORDINATOR.

At your rehearsal dinner, please make an announcement that you are paying a lot of money for your family formal portraiture and do not want them ruined, so it is your request (not your photographers) that everyone please keep their cameras out of sight during this time. We find that family members find it hard not to look at a familiar camera and this results in eyes looking every where instead of into our camera. The rest of the day is a free for all for picture taking. Let them know that you will be getting the digital negatives annd can send or email them a copy  of the file.