Ask a wedding photographer: Which Group Shots Do I Need?
I’ve been a wedding photographer in Cheshire and North Wales for about 20 years now, and in that time I’ve become something of an expert not just on wedding photography, but on weddings in general! I find that couples often end up asking me for advice, on everything from wedding photography, to general wedding trends, and hints and tips!
I’ve often tried to offer advice in this blog; for example, you can find out here about wedding makeup that photographs perfectly, wedding photography trends for 2024, or how to create a dream wedding day on a budget.
I’ve now decided to start a series of blogs called “Ask a wedding photographer…”, which aim to answer some of the questions I get asked most frequently. A lot of them relate to wedding photography, but some are just about weddings in general. Hopefully you find it helpful 🙂 And remember, I’m always happy to chat if you have any questions about your big day.
So… which group shots do you need on your wedding day?
As a wedding photographer, one of the most rewarding aspects of my job is capturing the beautiful moments that unfold on a couple’s special day. I would describe my wedding photography style as a mixture of ‘documentary style’ wedding photography and creative wedding photography. ‘Documentary style wedding photography’ means that I capture the genuine events and emotions of your wedding day as they play out. However, I am always very happy to help create group shots and posed photos too. The couples who hire me for their weddings tend to like a mixture of relaxed, natural photos, plus some posed shots where I work with the couple to create beautiful photographs for them to treasure. This really suits my style as I love to spend time with the couples I work with and create unique posed photographs just as much as I like to capture documentary-style photographs. I recently won Creative Wedding Photographer of the Year The Welsh Wedding Awards 2022 thanks to some of the unique posed shots I’ve created of brides and grooms and their wedding guests, including some gorgeous group shots.
While candid shots and intimate portraits hold immense value, group shots play a crucial role in documenting the entire wedding party. So, which are the essential group shots that should find a place in every wedding album?
The Bridal Party and Groomsmen
Gather the entire bridal party and groomsmen for a group shot that showcases the full ensemble. This shot captures the collective energy and excitement, setting the tone for the celebration.
It’s also nice to get shots of the bridal party and the groomsmen separately. Some of my favourite shots are of the bride and her bridesmaids getting ready before the ceremony. I also enjoy spending time with the groom and his groomsmen before the big event too: it’s great to see the couple with their best friends in those exciting moments before the wedding begins.
These people are usually the couple’s closest confidants – those friends who have been there through thick and thin, so these group shots always radiate support and love.
Immediate Families of the Couple
It’s nice to dedicate time to photographing the immediate families of the couple. This includes parents, siblings, and grandparents. These shots are not only cherished by the couple but become treasures for generations to come.
Generations in One Frame: Extended Family
Extend the family focus to include a shot with the extended family. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all in one shot can make a lovely visual family history.
Friends and schoolmates
It’s nice to capture the camaraderie and laughter by photographing the couple with their friends and schoolmates. These shots often embody the shared history and adventures that have shaped the couple’s journey.
Flower girls and page boys
Don’t forget the little ones!Gathering the flower girls and page boys together can make an adorable group shot.
Colleagues and Work Friends
If you have good friendships at work, consider including a photograph with your colleagues and work friends. It’s a great way to commemorate the different facets of your lives.
Entire Wedding Party
For a grand finale, gather all the wedding guests for a large group shot. It’s the perfect way to encapsulate the joy and collective celebration of the day, and you can get creative with different angles, poses, or even drone photography!
Great group shots portray the love, connections, and shared experiences that make each wedding unique. They allow you to look back on your day and have fond memories of the people who were there with you. As a wedding photographer, understanding the significance of these group shots ensures that you not only document the couple’s day, but also tell the complete story of their relationship surrounded by the people who matter most.
If you’d like to discuss your wedding plans, I would love to chat. I’m a wedding photographer in Cheshire, Chester and North Wales, but I work further afield as well. Drop me a line for more information.
