What's a Portrait List and Why do I Need it?

Ok, picture this…You have now been pronounced officially married (yay!) you walk down the aisle, wait for the guests to start migrating to the cocktail hour and your family is supposed to stick around to take photos. Your nephew is starving so your sister takes him upstairs to feed him, your Grandpa doesn’t know where to go and while you are telling the photographer who you need in each photograph, your brother walks over to the bar and your mom goes to talk to her BFF. You turn around and no one you need in the photos is there. Trust me, wrangling your immediate family on your wedding day isn’t all that easy. It’s best to have a plan.

first, you need to make a portrait list.

What is a Portrait List?

A Portrait List is a pre-determined, typed and printed, fully-structured list of all the people who are important enough that you want to capture formal, posed photos with. It’s not laminated or anything, so adjustments could always be made, but best to have a completed list prior to going into your wedding week.

Sit down with your babe and decide, what portraits are most important to you, and who needs to be in them. Create a list, and keep it simple. Start big and then dwindle. As photos are completed, the crowd will lessen and so will the chaos. Give this list to your photographer and planner, and watch them manage your big, loud, crazy family.

giving your photographer and planner a portrait list gives them control.

During this process you are going to have your Uncle’s girlfriend, (who is probably wearing white) come up to you and expect to be in the family photos. Instead of you or your new spouse having to say “no, thank you”, making future family gatherings somewhat awkward, let the photographer read off your finely curated list and leave out any unwanted bodies. Providing a list to your Photographer before the big day gives them authority to say no so you don’t have to. There will be plenty of time during the reception and dancing for other loved ones to snap a photo with you.

a preset list ensures you capture everyone.

On the flip side, creating a list in advance will minimize the chances of missing out on shots of family members you don’t always get to see (read: aren’t at top of mind). Can you imagine if you missed getting a photo of you with your Great-Aunt Kathy because you rarely see her and you didn’t think of it when you were wrapped up in that just-married bliss?? Curate your portrait needs and wishes when you have plenty of time to think, and your guest list is in front of you.

Pro-Tips

limit your list.

When building your list, it is best to remember that post-ceremony timing is usually pretty tight. Our advice for keeping these photo sessions short, sweet, and efficient? Consider including only those you will hang formal, framed photos of in your home or you will be gifting framed photos to in the future. (Your wedding gallery will be the gift that keeps on giving!) If one side of the family is exceptionally large, with a ton of aunties, uncles, and second cousins, a large family photo or shots with each auntie may work better on the dance floor - in a more relaxed and fun setting.

Remember the family portraits taken immediately after the ceremony should move in a timely manner (those VIPs want to get to cocktail hour, too!), the more streamlined you can make it on paper, the better.

If you want to save even more time and be able to enjoy every second of your cocktail hour, check this blog post for our take on having a first look. And remember, first looks aren’t just for the newlyweds!

communicate with the vips.

Once you’ve completed your list (and checked it twice), give your VIPs a head’s up before your wedding weekend that they will be included in formal portraits. Let them know in advance to stay near the ceremony site after you’re married, so we’re not hunting anyone down in order to get started.

sample STRUCTURE:

Before we go, here is an example to reference when making your list. Tweak this to fit your specific families and swap out titles for actual names. Begin with larger groupings and work down to smaller, individual shots. Always be sure to review your list in the final details meeting with your photographer and planner to confirm the planned shots will work within your timeline. (Ps. Blissfully Styled couples have a sample of this in their Aisle Planner account - Notes section)

Partner with the largest family should go first, and shoot the kids (and their parents) first, then let them go. Attention spans are hard to keep.

Group: Couple, Grandfather, Grandmother, Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Aunts, Uncles, Nieces & Nephews, Cousins.

Grandparents: Couple, Grandmother and Grandfather

Immediate Family: Couple, Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Spouses, Nieces, Nephews

Couple, Mother, Father, Brother, Sister (if not already completed before ceremony)

Couple, Mother, Father (if not already completed before ceremony)

Repeat for the other side.

And, remember… let go, have fun, and let the pros take care of your day!

Photography: Brett Hickman Photo

Venue: Huntington Bay Club