Do you need to have a shot-list for your wedding day? - A photographer's take

Wedding planning comes with plenty of lists and boxes you need to check. Be it guest counts, seating plans, timelines, playlists, travel arrangements or whatever else may apply.

So... it’s only natural to wonder whether you should be creating a photography shot list too.

My short answer is: probably not.

I know that might feel counterintuitive when the internet is full of articles promoting exhaustive “must-have” photo ideas and check lists. Looking at you, Pinterest ...

With AI in the mix now as well, I can only imagine how many new concepts are constantly being talked about in our industry, or how many new social media trends are emerging and so on. Not knocking those by the way, they can be great fun!

But...

What I think Wedding Photography is About ... and what it is not

The reality is that great wedding photography isn’t about working through a literal spreadsheet of poses and moments to manufacture. It's about paying attention to what unfolds naturally throughout your special day.

The moments that matter most are often the ones no one plans for—the nervous smile before the ceremony begins, the burst of laughter during a toast, the quiet way your parents look at each other when they see you and your partner dance and swoon over one another. Those are the memories that tell the real story of your wedding, and they rarely appear on a checklist.

What I Focus On

While I don't rely on a detailed shot list to guide your wedding day, there are certain moments and details that are always part of the story I'm documenting. From individual portraits of each partner and the thoughtful details you've spent months planning. From attire, florals, and rings to meaningful personal touches to family portraits, wedding party photos, and authentic couple portraits, I make sure the foundations of your gallery are covered.

Many of the moments that end up meaning the most are the ones no one could have planned for. The tear your dad quickly wipes away before anyone notices. Your grandmother's smile during the ceremony. The way your partner looks at you when they think no one is watching. These are the fleeting, unscripted moments that rarely make their way onto a shot list, yet they're often the photographs couples treasure most. And even if it were possible to plan for every meaningful moment, would you really want to spend your wedding day following a script?

You deserve to be fully present—not worrying about creating photo opportunities, but living them. That's why choosing a photographer whose work, approach, and vision resonate with you matters so much. When you trust your photographer to anticipate the moments that matter and guide you when needed, you're free to experience your wedding day as it unfolds—joyfully, naturally, and without feeling like you're performing for the camera.