Your Stress Free Family Portrait List
It’s no secret: a wedding day can be emotional, exciting, and, at times, stressful.
Between timelines, family expectations, and trying to soak in every meaningful moment, the day can move incredibly fast.
As a wedding photographer and wedding videographer, my job goes far beyond simply taking beautiful photos. Everything I do is centered around one goal: reducing stress on your wedding day.
Sometimes that means gently cutting portraits short so you and your partner can steal a few quiet moments alone. Other times it looks like kindly telling Aunt Cathy that we can’t squeeze in six extra photo variations right now. And occasionally, it means acting as your personal bodyguard (shielding you from distractions so you can grab a sip of water, and stay present)
But one of my biggest responsibilities as a wedding photographer is making sure your experience is enjoyable, as well as efficient. ESPECIALLY during family portraits.
That’s exactly why I provide every couple with an automatic family portrait list during the planning process.
Why Family Portraits Can Feel Overwhelming
Family photos are often the most emotionally charged part of the day. You’re attempting to gather multiple generations, blended families, and relatives who haven’t seen each other in years, within the busy momentum of the wedding events. Therefore, as a photographer I go in with a clear plan to keep this portion of the day from becoming chaotic and stressful.
My family portrait list is intentionally designed to keep things simple and organized. It focuses on “immediate family” only, starting with one side of the family and gradually transitioning to the other. This structure helps keep everyone accounted for and makes the inevitable “herding of cats” far more manageable.
Pair this with a solid “wedding trustee” (a trusted person assigned to help gather family members) and your family portraits will take 20 minutes or less. That means less stress, fewer distractions, and more time for you to enjoy your wedding day.
Resulting in a smoother wedding photography experience
Efficient family portraits don’t just benefit your timeline. They create a calmer atmosphere, allow genuine moments to unfold, and help your wedding photography feel effortless instead of rushed.
Below, you’ll find the exact family portrait list I provide to my couples. This is to ensure a smooth, stress-free experience on their wedding day.
O Bride + Groom + Bride’s Grandparents
O Bride + Groom + Bride’s Immediate Family + Grandparents
O Bride + Groom + Bride’s Immediate Family
O Bride + Groom + Bride’s Siblings
O Bride + Groom + Bride’s Parents
O Bride + Mother Of Bride
O Bride + Father Of Bride
O Bride + Groom + Both Immediate Families
O Bride + Groom + Groom’s Grandparents
O Bride + Groom + Groom’s Immediate Family + Grandparents
O Bride + Groom + Groom’s Immediate Family
O Bride + Groom + Groom’s Siblings
O Bride + Groom + Groom’s Parents
O Groom + Mother Of Groom
O Groom + Father Of Groom