Group Shots are those traditional, necessary, pesky memorable groups of family and friends.
Classically everyone wants to line up with the bride and groom. However, nobody wants to wait to go to the reception. It’s a puzzle inside a conundrum inside an enigma. And what is a photographer to do?
Group Shots Like These Become Priceless Memories: The Many Looks of Love
Are Group Portraits after Ceremony Old Fashioned?
At least one bride was very explicit about group shots, back in the early days of Sterling’s weddings. She thought she would not care about those group images at all. In fact, she loftily instructed us to forget about taking them.
Then, as you might guess, we spent the entire night of the reception with guests trying to line up. They all believed she would want the images eventually.
And, guess what? They were correct. In later years, she was relieved we had pulled together groups at the reception. However, she still regretted not having those traditional shots we used to call altar-returns.
Read on to learn about the fresh new look in this type of portraiture.
Group Shots and Today’s Bride
We call this warm family group shot “In the Castle’s Embrace.” It is formal, but it is warm with emotion and lit with technical skill.
Oftentimes the images of a family with the bride, family with the groom and family with the couple are among the most treasured of memories years after the wedding. And images with grand-parents, elderly friends and mentors become priceless treasures.
And make no mistake, these images are posed and well-lit, professionally guided images with everyone looking their best on a rare day of unity and joy. In other words, these photographs are timeless, formal portraits.
Group Shots and The Terrible Timing Factor
Many folks who have been wedding guests are dismayed because the wedding couple does not arrive at the reception until 1 hour after the guests.
And the reason the couple is late to greet guests at the reception is always that they were taking photos of family groups.
The whole situation sometimes makes the photographer seem to be the “bad guy” who delays the party by taking tons of group-shots. But a little advanced planning will provide for the classic family and group shots.
Key# 1 to Happy Group Shots: Communication and Pre-planning
As the above story shows, Sterling realized early in the wedding photography career, that candid photos are not enough. Especially, it is not sufficient to cover the important details of two families joining together in marriage.
He also realized the value of carefully controlled, speedy group shooting.
Some group shots need no posing. They are not about the pose. From the child peeking out,to the wizard at the top of the steps, sometimes loved ones are the scenery or the background.
- We like to have a list of important family members.
- Then, we often appoint someone from each side of the family to help us line up important groups.
- When we know how large the wedding group is we can generally tell how long the group shots will take. Thus, you can make a decision. Do we do them before or after the ceremony?
Key#2 to Happy Group Shots: Advance Planning Formal Family Portraits and Fun Group Shots
There is nothing sadder than having family call the photographer after the wedding, looking for group shots that should have been taken. Families have expected the formal group portraits for generations. Yes, Sterling Photography International loves our candid, photojournalistic moments. But, we also believe in respecting the tradition of family formal group shots.
The Key to these is organization and advance notice. And time. If Uncle Joe is going to be in the “before” photos with his niece, the bride, he needs to be there 40 minutes before the wedding. If he is in the after ceremony photos, then he needs to be aware he must stay behind while other guests go on to the party.
Key#3 to Happy Group Shots: Decide on the People in the Group-shots in Advance (Take Sub-groups at the reception.)
A Very Unique Group Shot of the Groom’s men!
As professionals, we delight in explaining the deep significance of these photographs. And by this, we mean, the meanings of family and unity during our initial meeting with a bride-to-be.
Naturally, Sterling is not the only photographer who cherishes the tradition of family group shots.
Anna Ambrosi head of Bianco Photography wrote on the subject in Rangefinder. Rangefinder magazine is America’s most prestigious photography publication. She stated, that these portraits “capture a unique moment in history in which two families…” become one.”
And she added, “Everything is set aside to make room to celebrate the one thing that connects us all: love.”
Posing in front of the camera in group shots of family or lifelong friends is a wonderful way to celebrate love. It is not only love for and about the couple, but for the entire new set of family members.
Key #3: Dedicating Time to these Precious Photos
Advance Communication with our brides means we’ll find the right time for these shots, too.
- Some groups, like the groom with his family and the bride with hers, can be accomplished beforehand.
- Likewise, the bridesmaids and groomsmen with the groom or bride can also be accomplished beforehand.
- That leaves only the couple with each family and the joined immediate families for the “after-the-ceremony” time slot.
- A Special Tip: We must warn you that, during group shots, some of your relatives or guests will demand extra shots. So, we ask our brides to inform folks who will be in the shots before photo time. Then, then the bride can explain the amount of time allowed for shots and the importance of the schedule. And you can promise we’ll do lots of shots at the reception.
How Much Time Should After-Ceremony Photography Require?
Narrowing down the groups means Sterling will take maybe 20 instead of 60 minutes after the ceremony and before the party.
Key #4 To Timeless Group-shots: Options for the Formal Family Portraits
Instead of a giant shot-list of images, immediately after the wedding, we suggest the above time schedule.
Likewise, if you just can’t stand the look of the line-up group shots, try another style. Modern asymmetrical posing might be more to your taste. At your consultation, you will see this style in Sterling’s portfolio.
A Unique Wedding Party Group Shot. Unlike the line-up style of old, this shot captures action and a modern style. It ‘s a “stylized group shot,” Sterling Style.
Asymmetrical group portraiture is stylistic and Sterling can do it in the same amount of time—
Think of it as the less posed, more artistic style for group shots. On the right is an example of such a wedding party shot.
—But, trust us, these portraits are still formal. They are still guided and still portraiture, 21st-century style.
Terrific Take-Aways
We hope you enjoy this basic Bride’s Guide to Group-Shots. Be sure, if you are a bride to be, that you print off this blog guide and place it in your “planning” notebook.
Then you will know how to arrange your wedding Day timeline. Additionally, you will get the classic group shots your grandchildren will love.
