Why a 60-Item Shot List is Killing Your Wedding Photos

f you’ve been scrolling through Pinterest, you’ve probably found those "Ultimate Wedding Photo Checklists" with 60+ items on them. As a professional, I’m going to be blunt: If you give me that list, you are hiring a robot, not an artist.

When I’m buried in a checklist, I’m looking at a piece of paper instead of looking at you. I’m checking boxes instead of capturing the raw, unscripted moments that actually tell the story of your day.

If you want a gallery that feels like you—and not a carbon copy of everyone else’s wedding—here is how we handle the list.

The "Streamlined" Master Shot List

I don't need 60 items. I need you to identify your 10 Must-Haves. If you give me those ten, I can pour my energy into making them masterpieces. Here is the framework I recommend for a stress-free day:

1. The Detail Box (First Thing)

Don't make me hunt for these. Have a shoebox ready with:

• Both rings

• The full invitation suite & Save the Date

• Jewelry & accessories

• Perfume/Cologne

• Anything small and sentimental

• If it’s in the box, I can knock these out in 15 minutes and move on to the people.

2. The Family "Subtraction" Strategy

Family photos are usually the most stressful part of the day. We don't do 50 different combinations. We start big and work down:

• The Big Group: Everyone from Family A (Grandparents, Cousins, Aunts/Uncles).

• The Subtraction: We slowly remove people (Aunts/Uncles leave, then Cousins) until we are down to just the immediate family.

• It’s faster, it’s less confusing, and your Great Aunt can get to the bar sooner.

3. The "VIP" Identification

Tell me who the 5-10 people are that must be in the gallery but aren't in the wedding party. I’ll keep an eye out for them throughout the night so we don't need a "posed" photo of every single cousin.

4. The Couple’s "Signature" Shots

Pick two specific "must-have" poses or locations for your portraits. Do you want that epic wide shot by the lake? Or the intimate close-up in the garden? Give me two anchors, and I’ll build the rest of your session around the natural light and your chemistry.

The "Don’t Bother" List

• The "Joke" Shots: Avoid the trendy, "funny" shots you saw on TikTok (the "Groomsmen holding the bouquets" or the "Pretend to be shocked" shots). They are funny for five seconds, but they age terribly and take up 15 minutes of precious time.

• The Props: Unless it’s a family heirloom, leave the props at home. They block your face, create weird shadows, and usually feel "cringey" when you look back 10 years later.

The Best Shots Aren't on the List

The shots you’re going to frame are the ones I can’t plan. It’s the quiet look you share during a toast, or the way you laugh when you trip over your dress. These are the "candid moments" that capture who you are.

When you give me artistic freedom, I deliver a larger, more soulful gallery. When you give me a 60-item list, I deliver 60 checkmarks. Choose the art.

The Bottom Line: Give me your 10 must-haves and a "loud friend" to help me wrangle the family. I’ll handle the rest.