If you’ve spent any time looking at wedding planning advice, you’ve probably come across a “must-have wedding photography shot list.”

First kiss. Partner’s reaction. First dance. Cake cutting. Wide shot of this. Close-up of that.

And I completely understand why these lists exist. Your wedding photos are important, and of course you want to make sure the people, moments, and details you care about are documented.

So, do you actually need to provide a shot list to your wedding photographer?

Not necessarily.

There are absolutely things that are helpful for your photographer to know. But you don’t have to plan every photograph or decide exactly how each moment should be captured.

That’s where your photographer’s experience comes in. You can share what matters to you, and they can decide how to best document it as the day unfolds.

What Is Helpful to Share With Your Wedding Photographer?

The things that are unique to your wedding and that your photographer wouldn’t otherwise know.

Maybe you’re wearing your grandmother’s jewelry, incorporating a meaningful tradition into your ceremony, planning a surprise during the reception, or hoping for a particular photo with your grandparents.

Those are all incredibly helpful things to share. Specific photo requests are completely okay, too. If there’s a photo you know would mean a lot to you, I want to know about it.

My Approach to Photographing Weddings

My approach is a mix of documentary and editorial photography, so there’s a balance between giving direction and allowing things to unfold naturally.

During portraits, I’ll step in when needed. I’ll find beautiful light, give you direction, help with movement, and intentionally create photographs with you.

For so much of the rest of the day, I’m watching. I’m paying attention to reactions, relationships, movement, and all of the little moments happening around you.

That freedom to respond to the day as it unfolds is a huge part of how I photograph weddings. It gives me the space to use the artistic eye you hired me for, rather than approaching the day like a checklist. I can still know what matters to you while leaving room for the moments, reactions, and photographs we couldn’t have planned ahead of time.

Some photos can be planned. Some of the best ones can’t.

Let Me Take One Thing Off Your Plate

There’s already so much information to keep track of while planning a wedding, and figuring out what your photographer needs from you shouldn’t be another thing on your list. That’s why I guide my couples through the process instead of expecting you to know exactly what to send me.

Throughout our time working together, I send a few questionnaires that help me get to know you both and, as we get closer to the wedding, understand the details of your day.

We’ll cover everything from how you feel in front of the camera and what you’re visually drawn to, to your timeline, family dynamics, traditions, meaningful details, and anything specific you’re hoping to have photographed. I also walk you through family photo groupings and give you space to add any additional combinations that are important to you.

By the time your wedding day arrives, I already have a really good understanding of what matters to you and how the day is going to flow.

What About Pinterest?

Yes, I ask my couples for a Pinterest board if that’s their vibe, but it’s never a necessity.

Sometimes it’s much easier to show me what you’re drawn to than try to put a visual feeling into words. I’m not looking at your Pinterest board as a list of photographs to recreate. I’m looking at the overall feeling and patterns in what catches your eye so I can better understand your preferences while still creating photographs that are completely your own.

Planning Without a Wedding Planner?

If you’re planning your wedding without a planner or coordinator, it can be really easy to feel like you need to stay on top of every little detail just to make sure nothing gets missed. You’re juggling a lot of moving pieces and communicating with multiple vendors, so it can start to feel like everything falls on you.

But this is where trusting your vendor team really matters. Your vendors should be able to guide you through what they need and take responsibility for their part of the wedding.

For photography, my questionnaires and planning process are designed to make sure I have the information I need before your wedding day arrives.

The goal is for you to feel prepared and supported, while still being able to actually enjoy your day.

At the end of the day, I want you to feel confident that your photographer understands what matters to you without feeling like you have to plan every photograph yourself.

That’s what the planning process is for. We’ll talk through the things I need to know ahead of time, and when the wedding day arrives, you get to be present and enjoy it.

I’ll be there to document it.