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There are a lot of lists you can get online for wedding photos—the must haves of wedding day photography. But there is quite a bit of debate as to whether or not you should give your photographer a list. I would suggest contracting a photographer that you trust to take all the must have shots, and then some. However, there are just some shots that you absolutely want to make sure to have taken. Maybe there’s a cultural tradition that will take place that your photog doesn’t know about. This is a good thing to tell your photog. Just like in any good relationship, if they don’t know, they can’t please you. So instead of a traditional photo list that you can get here, here, here, here, here, and here, I’m going to list the photos that I think are worth noting to your photog(s). Of course, I expect all the formal and traditional shots of me and Mr. Hot Wings putting our rings on, our first kiss, our first dance, etc. These get a bit more descriptive and will allow our photographer to get a better sense of what we’re looking for in our photo set.
(1) A frameable photo of US!
(2) Me doing my bridal fierce! Bridal fierceness shines best when you strike a pose that tells the camera, “I’m here! Shoot me fast because I’m gorgeous!” They scream, I’m a bride! Take my picture. And the images exude confidence, fun, and glamour.
(3) Bridal glory shot. Note that my definition of a “glory shot” and a “fierce shot” are different. A glory shot entails very little effort. The image evokes feelings of your wedding lust and the anxiety that you might have felt leading up to your walk down the aisle. I envision my glory shot occurring in the final moments before either our first look or before my walk down the aisle. It’s a final moment of reflection. Can you see it here?
(3) A “come hither you hot hot man” shot. Oh-so-very appropriate for Mr. Hottie!
(4) The twirling bride. I guarantee my wedding day excitement will manifest itself in the form of little girl twirls. So, I hope our photographer catches it!
(4b) And a complementing twirling flower girl. It would only be appropriate, after all.
(5) The jumping wedding party. I’ve always had a thing for jumping pictures. Need proof? Hold on.
(personal photo in New Mexico)
What other “must have” shots of people are on your list?
A lot of people are down on the jumping bridal party, but when done well (like your examples), I think they are great!
I love all of your awesome model/photography posts. I am finding them suuuuper helpful!!
What a great post! Love the jumpphoto and the fierce bride one..
I also want a picture taken with just me and my brother.
I love this! What a great list!!
“Ready for my close up” - Our photographer might have to photoshop the hell out of it, but I love a good close up. And it doesn’t have to be a direct, head-on shot..
I love the first jumping photo you posted. It’s so awesome.
This is a fun list!
I totally have to have the jumping party! I don’t know if the Mr’s brothers will be into it, but I’ll make them!
we did the jumping one too - it turned out so funny because our 40 year old best man looks like he hurt his knee in one of the pics. Everyone had a funny face on.
I also really wanted shoe pics. Like the one where you each lift up your attire a little bit to show off your shoes.
I totally agree that you need to communicate what you want with your photographer.
However, having worked for a wedding photographer, I’d like to say that it’s much easier for them to get the required shots if you do a session before the ceremony. If all you want is staged photos then it’s fine to go with a list and let them have the day to accomplish it. But if you want them to use their talents as a wedding photographer, you need to give them the freedom to be where the action is and trust their instincts. A wedding is a production; there are so many moving parts and it unfolds in a very specific way. A wedding photographer knows where he or she needs to be throughout the day. Which is why I agree that having a list is a good thing, but giving the photog some time before the craziness begins to check things off the list is key.
And to anyone who is against seeing their man pre-ceremony: think about how intimate a first look photo shoot can be. Just you and your FI and the photog (maybe some bridesmaids and your folks). No guests, no 40 feet of aisle separating you, and the photog can get the look on his face when he sees you and the first embrace. Those are generally my favorite shots of the day.
great list! love all the twirling & jumping! so fun!
Great post - thanks for getting me thinking about what pix I want! I def. want a shoe pix as well - and I like the idea of a getting ready/mom helping/ moments of contemplation photo as well.
And Miss Shoe - good points as well. Having been in both types of weddings (first look & then photography & then the ceremony versus ceremony then photog) I can say that we were way more relaxed and had more fun with the first look.
I
haha, i like #3! and I’m definitely a fan of the jumping as well! great list! 
The “bridal fierce” shots you showed are great!
Our must haves truly are the group formal shots. I just really really want pictures of us with the family in our wedding day finery. Plus our wedding is a bit of a family reunion in and of itself and sadly with our aging families we can never be sure who will make it to the next reunion. I’d like to get great pictures when we have the chance.
I love that you have such a big emphasis on photography. That was the MOST important decision to me and the Mr. I don’t write about it that often (other than how much I love my photog), but I’m seriously in line with each of your posts!
Great checklist! In the 2nd jump shot, the wedding party got some serious air. 
Thanks for sharing.
I love all of these! Photography is one of our biggest emphasizing points and your tips have been so great! i might have to start stalking photographer websites, even though we have already booked our amazing photog!
Can I have one ridiculously AWESOME picture that I can look back on when I’m 80 and say that those were my glory years?! Just one, really really good photo of me.
@ Miss Lace: I’m with you, I want at least one great shot. We booked our photogs and talked them into a free 2 hour engagement session- my plan is to use that time to test out different poses and see what works for both of us.
We are shy and not always photogenic, so I am a little worried about unnatural looking poses and awkward faces the day of the wedding
I want to try the “dip and kiss” pose that always looks so darn cute! Anyone have success with that one?
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Mrs. Hot Wings, Chicago/San Diego Age and Occupation: 28, Professor Fiance's Age and Occupation: 32, Instructor Engagement Date: December 20, 2008 Wedding Date: August 2010 Venue: Ocean View Villas/Jasmine Seafood Restaurant About Me: I am a psychology grad student living in Chicago and planning my wedding to a fellow psych grad student. I am a Sunny So-Cal bred gal who trudged across the country to follow her love of psychology and ended up finding a partner in the process. I am overly passionate about anything I involve myself with. I am an activist, a foodie, a reality TV watching junkie, an over-analyzer, a photography obsesser, and am utterly cheesy to the core. This is a story of what happens when a boy and a girl meet, fall in love over academic dorkiness, and a shared love for life. We (mostly I) are planning our semi-destination wedding in my hometown of San Diego. We are excited to bring our families and friends together from across our lifespans to celebrate our future in a grand 400+ person culturally blended affair!
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