REFERENCE ONLY
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
*THE INFORMATION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVICE EXPRESSED HEREIN ARE THOSE OF JERRY GHIONIS AND ARE PROVIDED FOR EDUCATIONAL
PURPOSES ONLY. SUCH INFORMATION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVICE ARE EXAMPLES AND MAY VARY DEPENDING ON YOUR BUSINESS AND/OR
WEDDING EVENT DETAILS SUCH AS TIME, STYLE, LOCATION, BUDGET AND MARKET.
Wedding Photography
Mentor: Jerry Ghionis*
Must Have Wedding Shots
Whether you are starting out or are a seasoned professional, it’s important to be reminded of “the
shots” you must take on a wedding day; photographs that sell and tell the story. This list is more
about what images to create instead of how they are created. Of course, I don’t expect anyone to
hold the sheet in front of the couple and check o all the images. These are just suggestions for
some standard images you may not want to miss.
Individual Client’s Coverage (to be repeated for each client)
Detail shots of accessories and getting-ready shots with the attendants, e.g. shirt cu , cu inks,
belt, tie, vest, jacket, cologne, shoes, watch, or headpiece, earrings, ring, front and back of dress,
necklace, bracelet, bag, bouquet, etc.
Client by themselves (full length or 3/4 and close-up)
Client with all attendants (including ring bearers and/or fl ower girls at location)
Client with each attendant and ring bearers and/or fl ower girls at location
Client with mom and dad
Client with mom only and then with dad only
Mom and dad by themselves
Client with immediate family
Client with brothers and sisters only
Client with each brother and each sister
Client with each brother and each sister and their respective families
Any other requests
A few more shots of the client and attendants (more creative)
Client leaving home/getting ready location
Entering the car, if appropriate
Wedding Photography
Mentor: Jerry Ghionis*
CEREMONY
Client in car doorway (if appropriate)
Dad escorting client out of car (if appropriate)
Attendants adjusting dress outside ceremony location (if appropriate)
Client walking up to ceremony location
Client and attendants waiting at front of ceremony (if appropriate)
Client and dad (or escort) and attendants in doorway of ceremony entrance
Children and attendants walking down the aisle
Client walking down the aisle
Couple at front of ceremony
Wide ceremony shot from front and behind
Look for detail shots
Formalities including ring exchange, kiss, etc.
If you are photographing a ceremony from a culture that you don’t understand, a basic rule of
thumb is: if it moves, shoot it
Couple signing register/marriage certifi cate, if appropriate (also with celebrant, if expected)
Couple walking down the aisle, congratulating, etc.
Group shot from balcony or at front of ceremony location
Couple in doorway of entrance
Confetti shots, mingling etc.
Wide shot of couple in front of the ceremony location
Big group shot of all guests, make sure that all members of both families and the drivers know
where the group shots will be. Give your cell number to anyone who needs it
REFERENCE ONLY
Client and attendants waiting at front of ceremony (if appropriate)
REFERENCE ONLY
Client and attendants waiting at front of ceremony (if appropriate)
Client and dad (or escort) and attendants in doorway of ceremony entrance
REFERENCE ONLY
Client and dad (or escort) and attendants in doorway of ceremony entrance
Children and attendants walking down the aisle
REFERENCE ONLY
Children and attendants walking down the aisle
Client walking down the aisle
REFERENCE ONLY
Client walking down the aisle
Couple at front of ceremony
REFERENCE ONLY
Couple at front of ceremony
Wide ceremony shot from front and behind
REFERENCE ONLY
Wide ceremony shot from front and behind
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Client and dad (or escort) and attendants in doorway of ceremony entrance
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Client and dad (or escort) and attendants in doorway of ceremony entrance
Wide ceremony shot from front and behind
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Wide ceremony shot from front and behind
Look for detail shots
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Look for detail shots
*THE INFORMATION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVICE EXPRESSED HEREIN ARE THOSE OF JERRY GHIONIS AND ARE PROVIDED FOR EDUCATIONAL
PURPOSES ONLY. SUCH INFORMATION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVICE ARE EXAMPLES AND MAY VARY DEPENDING ON YOUR BUSINESS AND/OR
WEDDING EVENT DETAILS SUCH AS TIME, STYLE, LOCATION, BUDGET AND MARKET.
Wedding Photography
Mentor: Jerry Ghionis*
FAMILY SHOTS
Couple with client #1’s parents
Couple with client #1’s parents and their brothers and sisters (spouses and children included, with
and without grandparents)
Couple with both sets of parents
Couple with client #2’s parents
Couple with client #2’s parents and their brothers and sisters (spouses and children included, with
and without grandparents)
Couple with siblings only, both sides
Couple with each brother and sister’s family (if requested or appropriate)
Couple with each set of grandparents
Any other requests... uncles, aunts, friends, etc.
Each mom and dad by themselves, if not done earlier in the day
Be sure to photograph the elderly family shots, pregnant women, families with children fi rst
TRADITIONAL COUPLE/WEDDING PARTY SHOTS
Couple full length (nothing fancy, show detail)
Couple close-up
Couple with fl ower girls and ring bearers
Couple with full wedding party
Each client alone full length (dress/suit detail) front and back
Client #1, attendants and fl ower girls/ring bearers
Client #2 with attendants and fl ower girls/ring bearers
*THE INFORMATION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVICE EXPRESSED HEREIN ARE THOSE OF JERRY GHIONIS AND ARE PROVIDED FOR EDUCATIONAL
PURPOSES ONLY. SUCH INFORMATION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVICE ARE EXAMPLES AND MAY VARY DEPENDING ON YOUR BUSINESS AND/OR
WEDDING EVENT DETAILS SUCH AS TIME, STYLE, LOCATION, BUDGET AND MARKET.
REFERENCE ONLY
Couple with client #2’s parents and their brothers and sisters (spouses and children included, with
REFERENCE ONLY
Couple with client #2’s parents and their brothers and sisters (spouses and children included, with
Couple with siblings only, both sides
REFERENCE ONLY
Couple with siblings only, both sides
Couple with each brother and sister’s family (if requested or appropriate)
REFERENCE ONLY
Couple with each brother and sister’s family (if requested or appropriate)
Couple with each set of grandparents
REFERENCE ONLY
Couple with each set of grandparents
Any other requests... uncles, aunts, friends, etc.
REFERENCE ONLY
Any other requests... uncles, aunts, friends, etc.
Each mom and dad by themselves, if not done earlier in the day
REFERENCE ONLY
Each mom and dad by themselves, if not done earlier in the day
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Couple with client #2’s parents and their brothers and sisters (spouses and children included, with
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Couple with client #2’s parents and their brothers and sisters (spouses and children included, with
Couple with each brother and sister’s family (if requested or appropriate)
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Couple with each brother and sister’s family (if requested or appropriate)
Couple with each set of grandparents
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Couple with each set of grandparents
Any other requests... uncles, aunts, friends, etc.
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Any other requests... uncles, aunts, friends, etc.
Each mom and dad by themselves, if not done earlier in the day
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Each mom and dad by themselves, if not done earlier in the day
Be sure to photograph the elderly family shots, pregnant women, families with children fi rst
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Be sure to photograph the elderly family shots, pregnant women, families with children fi rst
Wedding Photography
Mentor: Jerry Ghionis*
LOCATIONS
Shoot at least one full length of the couple at every location
Shoot a blend of contemporary, classical and candid shots
Shoot a few car shots (full length & close-ups) using di erent parts of the car, if it is a special
rental.
Shoot at least one series of intimate close-up shots of the couple
RECEPTION (IF DOING A SHORT COVERAGE)
Detail shots of reception
Wedding party and parents entering
Couple entering/being introduced into the reception
Couple dancing (full length and close-up)
Couple cutting the cake
Couple toasting
Cake only
Rings only
RECEPTION (ALL NIGHT COVERAGE)
As above
Each couple and each set of parents dancing
Each person saying a speech, reactions to speeches
General candid shots of dancing
Garter and bouquet toss (if appropriate)
Couple leaving
Creative shots at reception, something moody to conclude the album
NIGHT SHOTS AFTER RECEPTION (IF APPLICABLE)
Do whatever you want (but make sure the shots are not repetitive)
REFERENCE ONLY
Shoot a few car shots (full length & close-ups) using di erent parts of the car, if it is a special
REFERENCE ONLY
Shoot a few car shots (full length & close-ups) using di erent parts of the car, if it is a special
Shoot at least one series of intimate close-up shots of the couple
REFERENCE ONLY
Shoot at least one series of intimate close-up shots of the couple
RECEPTION (IF DOING A SHORT COVERAGE)
REFERENCE ONLY
RECEPTION (IF DOING A SHORT COVERAGE)
Wedding party and parents entering
REFERENCE ONLY
Wedding party and parents entering
Couple entering/being introduced into the reception
REFERENCE ONLY
Couple entering/being introduced into the reception
Couple dancing (full length and close-up)
REFERENCE ONLY
Couple dancing (full length and close-up)
Couple cutting the cake
REFERENCE ONLY
Couple cutting the cake
Couple toasting
REFERENCE ONLY
Couple toasting
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
RECEPTION (IF DOING A SHORT COVERAGE)
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
RECEPTION (IF DOING A SHORT COVERAGE)
Couple entering/being introduced into the reception
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Couple entering/being introduced into the reception
Couple dancing (full length and close-up)
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Couple dancing (full length and close-up)
Couple cutting the cake
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Couple cutting the cake
Couple toasting
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Couple toasting
*THE INFORMATION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVICE EXPRESSED HEREIN ARE THOSE OF JERRY GHIONIS AND ARE PROVIDED FOR EDUCATIONAL
PURPOSES ONLY. SUCH INFORMATION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVICE ARE EXAMPLES AND MAY VARY DEPENDING ON YOUR BUSINESS AND/OR
WEDDING EVENT DETAILS SUCH AS TIME, STYLE, LOCATION, BUDGET AND MARKET.
Wedding Photography
Mentor: Jerry Ghionis*
REMINDERS
If you are shooting with 2 or more cameras, sync the time and date before the wedding
Charge plenty of batteries the night before
Look for detail shots (still life, etc.)
Shoot any requests, happily
Take two shots of anything important
Take at least 2 shots when subject(s) are looking in the camera (4 people or less)
Take at least 3 shots when subjects are looking in the camera (5 people or more)
Don’t overshoot
Look for panoramic opportunities (shoot subject on left or right with negative space)
Focus, focus, focus
Shoot for the wedding album, design the pages as you shoot
Tell the story, explore relationships
Don’t leave the wedding until you have a well-rounded album and at least a couple of “wow”
shots
Slow down and take your time
REFERENCE ONLY
Take at least 2 shots when subject(s) are looking in the camera (4 people or less)
REFERENCE ONLY
Take at least 2 shots when subject(s) are looking in the camera (4 people or less)
Take at least 3 shots when subjects are looking in the camera (5 people or more)
REFERENCE ONLY
Take at least 3 shots when subjects are looking in the camera (5 people or more)
Don’t overshoot
REFERENCE ONLY
Don’t overshoot
REFERENCE ONLY
Look for panoramic opportunities (shoot subject on left or right with negative space)
REFERENCE ONLY
Look for panoramic opportunities (shoot subject on left or right with negative space)
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Take at least 2 shots when subject(s) are looking in the camera (4 people or less)
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Take at least 2 shots when subject(s) are looking in the camera (4 people or less)
Take at least 3 shots when subjects are looking in the camera (5 people or more)
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Take at least 3 shots when subjects are looking in the camera (5 people or more)
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Look for panoramic opportunities (shoot subject on left or right with negative space)
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Look for panoramic opportunities (shoot subject on left or right with negative space)
Focus, focus, focus
NOT FOR REPRODUCTION
Focus, focus, focus
*THE INFORMATION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVICE EXPRESSED HEREIN ARE THOSE OF JERRY GHIONIS AND ARE PROVIDED FOR EDUCATIONAL
PURPOSES ONLY. SUCH INFORMATION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVICE ARE EXAMPLES AND MAY VARY DEPENDING ON YOUR BUSINESS AND/OR
WEDDING EVENT DETAILS SUCH AS TIME, STYLE, LOCATION, BUDGET AND MARKET.
