You’ve booked your wedding photographer and you are excited to get started. One of the first things that many couples do when they book a wedding photographer is send them an extensive shot list, telling them where they want every single picture taken. If you are considering doing this or have done it before, please reconsider! You will thank me in the end.

Here are four reasons why you don’t need to give your wedding photographer a shot list:

Wedding photographers are professionals and they know what they are doing

They’ve photographed hundreds of weddings and they know how to take pictures in all sorts of situations. They will be able to look at the scene in front of them and determine the best place to take pictures. They will also know how to capture the emotions of your wedding day.

If you are busy directing your photographer, you will be missing out on all of the fun. Your wedding day goes by so quickly and before you know it, it will be over. Let your photographer do their job and you can enjoy your wedding day!

You will have more pictures to choose from

When you give your photographer a shot list, it often means that they will only take the pictures on the shot list. Chances are you will likely end up with very generic pictures if you rely on a shot list because all of your pictures will look the same, shot in the same way and from the same angles.

By not giving them a shot list, you will have many more pictures to choose from, which means that you are more likely to get the shot you want!

Why not take a chance and give your photographer some freedom? You might be surprised at the beautiful pictures they will capture on your wedding day.

A shot list takes the spontaneity out of your wedding day

If you give your photographer a shot list, they will be forced to stick with it no matter what. You don’t want this because there are so many wonderful things that can happen on your wedding day and if you have an extensive shot list, these moments may not even get photographed!

You also need to consider the fact that every wedding is different and your shot list may not be applicable to every wedding. Your photographer will know what works best for your wedding day. Let them do their job and you will be glad that you did.

You want your photographer to be able to capture genuine moments as they happen, and not feel constrained by a shot list. You will have beautiful pictures to cherish for years to come!

A shot list takes away your photographer’s creativity

When you hire a professional photographer, a shot list could ruin some potentially great photos if your photographer feels like they have to stick to a certain formula.

They won’t be able to take pictures how they see fit because you have given them an exact picture that you want to be taken. Shot lists can also tend to make wedding photographers feel like they are in a box and not creative enough, which is never true!

By not giving your wedding photographer a shot list, you will be giving them the freedom to take amazing pictures that showcase your wedding day. They won’t feel as if they are following a shot list and instead, they can let their creativity shine through as well as capture those special moments as they happen throughout your wedding day.

The bottom line is that you don’t need a shot list. Your wedding day is about you and your soon-to-be spouse, not following a shot list. Let go of the need for control and hire a professional photographer that can do their job without needing specific shot lists or directions from you!

Afterall, your wedding day is about celebrating your love for each other with your friends and family, not about taking pictures. Let your photographer do their job, trust their expertise and you will be glad that you did. You won’t regret it!

If you have any questions about wedding photography or would like more information, please feel free to contact us and we  definitely love to help you out 🙂