Vendor Feature: Kelly McDaniel Photography
Family photo sessions can be challenging at weddings with gathering both families at the right time and trying to narrow down who you both would like to take photos with. It is important to have these details discussed and planneed out beforehand with your photographer and the family involved. Professional Photographer Kelly McDaniel gives us insightful tips on how to have smoother and fun family portraits.
Decide when to do family portraits.
The majority of my clients choose to do wedding portraits right after the ceremony concludes. The mindset to have when thinking about the timing of family portraits is, the more we do now, the less we need to do later when everyone is super anxious to get the party started.
Get the word out.
Before the wedding day, reach out to those you want in your family portraits and let them know that they will be needed for photos at whatever time you decide. Go one step further and ask that your officiant make an announcement after the recessional instructing the family members who know they are needed for photos to stay put.
Make a clear list.
I find it most efficient to break the list up into two separate groups. Bride/Groom(Side A) and Bride/Groom(Side B). Use first names, so we can call them out directly.
Keep it short and sweet.
Consider that the more family photos on that list, the more time it will eat into something else in the day. When creating your list, know what you truly need and know what you can condense and/or live without. Keeping it simple will save your sanity and energy level, I promise you!
Be open to different locations.
If you have a vision in mind for a location, definitely communicate that to your photographer. However, if your photographer lets you know on your wedding day that they need to move your portraits to a certain wall or under some trees, trust them.
Bonus Tip!
Photographers are trained to know what will work best in difficult lighting or environmental conditions. We don’t want anyone squinting into the sun or trekking across muddy grass in their stilettos and getting filthy or even injured. I am a firm believer that when we concentrate on making our subjects comfortable and look their best, we will create the best portraits.