22 minute group formals

by Eric Hegwer

in Austin Weddings,real wedding photography tips

No bride wants her wedding to turn into a photo session. And I certainly don’t want to be that guy who takes so much time for formal photos after the wedding. You know what happens, the pototogrpaher takes over and suddenly the wedding turns into a portrait session for every guest in every possible combination with the bride and the groom. Over the years I’ve come up with the

22-minute group formals

This gets a great relaxed photo of everybody, in all the important combinations, quickly! I concentrate on the wedding party and immediate family, and work quickly and efficiently, So you can get to your reception faster.

Before the wedding, I like to get the individual photos of everybody out of the way. I do this while you are looking your absolute best. You have just finished with your hair and makeup, and put your dress on. You look perfect. We will take you and your girls out and spend 20 or so minutes together getting posed formals (I’ll show you how to stand and pose) of you in every possible combination with your bridesmaids. And then I’ll do the same with the guys. This is also the best time to get family shots done, too. I recommend that you have your parents and siblings around so we can do some formals with them, too. It’s fast, and clean, and fun. And I’ll always make sure you get to your ceremony on time!

Immediately after the wedding ceremony this is how I roll:
Group shot of the entire bridal party (include the ring bearer and flower-girl only if the cooperate)
Bride and Groom with all the guys
Bride and Groom with all the girls
Bride’s parents
Bride’s grandparents

Groom’s parents
Groom’s grandparents

Bride and Groom with both sets of parents

And then a few shots of the two of you together for your mantle or bedside table.

After, during the reception, you can always get casual posed photos of you with your aunts and uncles, fraternity buddies, sorority sisters, co-workers, and childhood friends.

I‘ve assembled this simple one page formal shot list that you can download, and use for your timeline and planning. be sure to send a link to this page to all your family and wedding party, so they know what to expect, and know where to be so the day goes smoothly. Click here to download the PDF.