A Wedding Photographer’s Guide to Great Group Shots
Let’s be honest, group shots are a bit of a ‘love or hate’ thing for most couples. I’m a wedding photographer in Cheshire, Chester and North Wales, and I specialise in natural, relaxed wedding photography. This means that I tend to attract couples who want to keep things laid-back, without the fuss of too many posed photos, and aim for a chilled atmosphere on their big day. Often, couples have a bit of hesitation when it comes to group shots – no one wants their guests hanging around for ages waiting for photos.
The good news is that you can have the best of both worlds – a relaxed wedding day with natural, candid photography and some great group shots. It’s all about finding the right balance. So, here are my tips for nailing your group shots without spoiling the fun!
Organisation is key
One of the biggest worries couples have is that their guests will end up standing around for what feels like forever during the group shots. The secret to avoiding this? Organisation.
Before the wedding, I’ll always ask for a list of around ten group shots you’d like. This way, I already know who needs to be where, and we can keep the time spent taking group shots to a minimum. I usually suggest starting with the large group shot first, so anyone not needed for the smaller groups can go grab a drink or settle into the party.
If you’re nervous about group shots slowing down the day, have a chat with your photographer – we’ll have plenty of tricks up our sleeves to keep everything running smoothly.
Less is more when it comes to group shots
I recommend sticking to around 10 group combinations. You can always have more if you like, but I often find couples think they need far more group shots than they’ll actually end up wanting. Ask yourself: will you include all of these in your album? Will you look back on every single one? If not, you probably don’t need them all.
Focus on the most important groups – everyone, immediate family, bridal party, and parents. That way, we can keep the formal photos to a minimum, leaving plenty of time for candid shots and enjoying the day.
And don’t forget – I’ll be there for most of the day, which means there’s plenty of opportunity to capture more spontaneous group photos later on.
Enlist some helpers
While I’ll make sure to get to know who’s who before the big day, it’s always handy to have a couple of helpers to round up guests for photos. Ushers are perfect for this – just make sure they’re not too distracted by the bar! A couple of responsible helpers can make the whole process much smoother, and we’ll get through the shots in no time.
Get creative with your group shots
Who says group shots have to be dull and stiff? These days, it’s all about getting creative. Whether it’s finding a unique location at your venue or capturing the personality of your group, there’s no need to stick to a boring line-up.
Maybe the bridesmaids laughing with the bride, or the groomsmen having a cheeky drink together – these moments add personality and can make your group shots stand out.
I’m also an award-winning creative wedding photographer, and I love getting creative with props such as smoke bombs and drones to capture group shots which are never boring!
Wedding photographer in Cheshire and North Wales
With a little creativity and some smart organisation, your group shots can be a fun and memorable part of your day – without taking up too much time. So, if you’re looking for relaxed, natural wedding photography with some group shots thrown in, you’ve come to the right place!
I’m a wedding photographer in Cheshire, Chester, and North Wales; if you’d like to chat about your wedding photography ideas, I’m always happy to help! Please get in touch today.
