This is the part of the wedding day where we capture the formal posed photos everyone expects to see in the final gallery. The photos of the bride with her mom and dad, the bride and groom with mom, dad, siblings, etc.

These photos may not necessarily be the most fun to organize but they are often some of the most treasured after your wedding day is done. It’s not very often we have all of our loved ones dressed up and in the same place.

As a wedding photographer, it is my goal to capture these photos quickly, get you to the reception, and have some fun along the way. Here are eight tips for making that happen.

1. Tell everyone where they need to be and when. If you know your brother always runs late, tell him to be there a little early.
2. Have a people wrangler (or two) who know the important people and can help get everyone where they need to be. Every family has stragglers.
3. Let me know beforehand the names of everyone you want photographed. It’s a lot easier to call your family members up by name and let the group know whose on deck. I send out a questionnaire two months before your wedding day asking for this information.
4. Make sure you have included enough time on your timeline. Each family grouping takes about 4 minutes. If you don’t want to spend a lot of time taking photos on your big day capture your immediate family during the portrait portion and have the DJ make announcements for the larger groups at the reception.
5. Are there any family situations I need to be aware of? Are there divorced parents who would prefer not to be photographed together? I would hate to create an awkward situation for anyone. I ask about these in that questionnaire I mentioned earlier.
6. Know where you want to capture these photos or if you want (I’m happy to scout a locations if you need me to). If you choose an outdoor location ideally we want a space where the sun won’t be shining directly into your eyes and make sure to have a rain plan.
7. Whenever possible start with grandparents and small children. I won’t make your grandparents stand around waiting for their turn, we want them to be able to sit comfortably as soon as they are finished. Small children have short attention spans and are the least likely to cooperate for long periods of time. If we don’t get the shot we want initially we have the opportunity to try again later.
8. This is not a time for family members to take iphone photos. Everyone needs to know where to look and you will want all eyes on my camera. If I have to pause in between family groupings for aunt Sue to snap a pic this part of your wedding day will take so much longer, frustrating everyone involved and keeping you from your party. You can give your family access to the professionally edited gallery when it is delivered post wedding day and if any family member wants iPhone photos they are welcome to capture those after I am finished or at the reception.

Unless your family naturally lines up in perfect lines this is a part of the day where I will take complete creative control. This is one of the reasons why you hire a professional photographer. I will direct everyone to pose in the most flattering way possible and to stand where they will be seen in the photos.

During the family formal portion of the wedding day we will only capture photos including the bride and groom. If wedding guests would like photos that don’t include you we are happy to take those during the cocktail hour or reception. I always try to get photos of your parents and grandparents at other points during your wedding day. It has likely been a long time since they have had a professional portrait taken.

The goal is to take images you will treasure forever and let you enjoy your day.