Wedding Photography Must Have Shots

Step 1

1. Convey the vision

Every great must have shot list wedding photography starts with inspiration. With StudioBinder's Mood Board Creator, you can make a wedding moodboard with visual references that set the tone, style, and framing for your wedding photos.

After you create a project in StudioBinder, navigate to the Mood Boards page, click Add Images and upload the reference images (like hair and makeup looks, dress details, etc.) as an inspiration point for your wedding shot list template.

These images can be added to your wedding photography must have shots list for as reference.

After uploading the images, you can even organize them further by segmenting them into custom Groups. Just click + New Mood Board and click New Group.

As you send this moodboard to your team, it can be helpful to add some text-based information to reinforce the vision. Just click + and click Text Box. You can even change the styling options so it matches your moodboard visually.

After you click Save within the Text Box Editor, the text box should look like this on your mood board page:

Step 2

2. Create shot lists for key phases

Instead of creating 50 must have wedding photography shots checklist which can feel overwhelming and generic, you can split up the shots into multiple shot lists.

Generate shot lists for key events such as Getting Ready, First Looks, Venue Guest Arrival, Processional, Wedding Portraits, Family Portraits, Golden Hour Portraits, Reception Events, etc. This allows you to prioritize where each photographer capture their assigned shots so you get the coverage you need on the big day.

To do this, click + New Shot List to create new shot lists like the screenshot below:

You'll add your individual shots later, but right now it's important to create shot lists around the key moments and locations of the wedding day. This will inform what your wedding shot list template should actually have.

Step 3

3. Organize your shot lists into Groups

After forming your various shot lists, it's helpful to group your must have shots for wedding photography into sections like: Pre-Ceremony, Ceremony, Portraits, Reception, Traditions & Send-Off. This makes it much easier to wrap your head around what could be a frenetic day and avoid any special moments from slipping through the cracks.

By grouping shot lists, you gain the added benefit of dispatching a 2nd photographer, videographer or assistant cover different phases of the wedding.  Your second shooters can grab the detail shots, wedding cake while another photographer covers the bride and groom.

StudioBinder makes the process of grouping very easy. After creating a few shot lists, you can generate Groups, and drag shot lists inside them.

Be sure to view our sample wedding photography shot list template which is organized into common locations or phases of a wedding.

Wedding Photography Must Have Shots

Since you'll be getting plenty of shots of the bride and groom on the wedding day, it's critical to prioritize the shots to ensure your crew gets essential coverage during the wedding. Use our wedding shot list template example below as a starting point!

Pre-Ceremony 

• Details & Getting Ready
  1. Invitations, rings, bouquet
  2. Wedding dress (hanging, close-ups, bride holding)
  3. Shoes & accessories
  4. Groom’s details (tie, cufflinks)
  5. Bride getting ready candids
  6. Bridal party getting ready
  7. Groom getting ready candids
• First Looks
  1. Bride with parents
  2. Groom with parents
  3. First look with bridesmaids
  4. Bride/groom portraits (full length shot)

Ceremony Coverage 

• Venue & Processional
  1. Venue wide shot
  2. Guests seated
  3. Processional (wedding party)
  4. Bride walking aisle
• Core Ceremony
  1. Exchange of vows
  2. Exchange of rings
  3. The kiss
• Recessional
  1. Couple walking back aisle
  2. Wide shot of entire space

Portraits & Formals 

• Family Formals
  1. Couple with parents
  2. Couple with siblings
  3. Full family group shot
• Wedding Party
  1. Couple with entire party
  2. Bride with bridesmaids
  3. Bridal party group shots
  4. Groom with groomsmen
  5. Fun candid group poses
• Couple Portraits
  1. Classic portraits
  2. Romantic candids
  3. Golden hour shots
  4. Silhouettes/backlit

Reception Coverage 

• Details & Setup
  1. Venue wide shot
  2. Table settings & decor
  3. Cake & desserts
• Reception Events
  1. Couple’s entrance
  2. First dance
  3. Parent dances
  4. Toasts & speeches
  5. Cake cutting
  6. Bouquet & garter toss
  7. Dance floor candids
• Traditions & Send-Off
  1. Unity candle or rituals
  2. Sparkler exit
  3. Confetti or bubbles
  4. Couple’s getaway car

Step 4

4. Add shots with reference images

Inside the individual shot list, just click Upload Shots to begin creating your photo shots. You can add multiple blank rows, or batch upload multiple reference photos to automatically generate shots for each.

In our case, since we've already uploaded photos on the Mood Board page, these are all saved in the Media Library so we can simply re-select the images that were previously uploaded. For example, include example wedding rings close-ups, hair and makeup inspiration, or sample wedding album layouts

Just select the images and click Insert Files. 

After inserting reference photos, StudioBinder generates blank rows for every shot. Next, you can start adding shot details inside the wedding shot list template.

Step 5

5. Add shot details

So now you've categorized your shot list lists and added reference images, it's time to add shot specs to your must have shots for wedding list! This includes important details that will communicate to your crew exactly what gear is needed, description of what will be covered, gear requirements, shot sizes (close-up, wide shot, full length shot, establishing, etc.), shot types (candid, posed, detail shots), etc.

This essentially turns your wedding photography must have shots list in a production-ready document that's a professional wedding planning tool.

In StudioBinder, just click on the placeholders and you'll see more options like below:

After you've populated your entire photo shot list for the wedding photoshoot, it should look very similar to the example shot list below (view sample):

Step 6

6. Get crew feedback

Collaboration is important for the majority of photoshoots, including wedding photography. The benefit of inviting your photo crew to your shot list is to keep them in the loop and mention anything missing from your must have shot list wedding photography. 

The comments and feedback will ensure that every wedding shot list template is carefully considered.

Step 7

7. Print and share must have wedding photography shots

Before the wedding day, you can print or export your must have shots for wedding photography and share it with your crew. The best part is that you can actually select which shot lists you need to print or export which provides more flexibility.

On the shot list page, click Generate PDF, select the shot lists and/or groups.

In the PDF creator, you can fully customize what will be displayed on the PDF shot list. You can make your shot list as simple or as in-depth as you'd like.

After you're finished customizing it, simply click Download PDF.

If you generate a share link, you can easily copy-paste links to shots like (like this one), so you, or anyone on your crew, can easily pull up every shot list on their phone and check off shots as you progress through the day.

A good shot list is essentially a checklist for the shoot day, but it also sets the plan for the shooting day for your entire photo crew.

Wrapping Up

You're finished!

With StudioBinder’s wedding photography must have shots list template, you’ll never walk into a wedding without a gameplan again. From mood boards to detail shots from the wedding photography checklist, everything is organized and ready for action.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or creating your first wedding photography shot list, StudioBinder's template builder ensures you capture every smile, every tear, and every unforgettable moment.