Family Photos At Weddings Are Important
Family Photos At Weddings Are Important
Family formals hold a special place in my heart and are a crucial aspect of any wedding day. As a photographer, it’s an honour to capture the love and bond shared between family members. Every time I’m hired to photograph a wedding, I make sure to capture some cherished family moments.
In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in the aesthetics of weddings. Social media and wedding blogs are filled with glamorous photographs of wedding rings, decor, and picturesque landscapes. While these are undoubtedly breathtaking, they often lack the personal touch that comes with capturing real moments between family members as well as the couple. I’ve had the privilege of capturing some of the most important moments in my clients’ lives. But it’s not just the big moments, like the first kiss or the first dance, that are important. It’s also the small, intimate moments that happen throughout the day, and these are often the ones that mean the most to my clients. I find family photos so important that I always take photos of my own family too – I love being a wedding photographer and having this skill means I can document my own family too.
I understand that family portraits may not be the most marketable or popular aspect of wedding photography. They may seem similar and not as visually appealing compared to other wedding photographs. However, as a wedding photographer, I know how important it is to capture the love shared between family members. It’s a significant part of the couple’s special day and holds a lot of meaning for them.
For many clients, family portraits hold an immense emotional value that surpasses any other wedding photo. They’re the images that families will treasure for generations to come, reminding them of the love and joy shared on that special day. I’ve witnessed firsthand the importance of these images, as clients have shared with me their stories of how these photographs have become family heirlooms.
Are family group photos important?
One thing I always tell my clients is the importance of taking photos of their family. These photos may not seem as important as the photos of the bride and groom, but they are just as important, if not more so. Here’s why:
- Family is everything.
When you look back on your wedding photos in years to come, you’ll want to remember not just the day itself, but also the people who were there with you. Your family is your support system, your foundation, and your roots. Taking photos of them on your wedding day is a way of acknowledging their importance in your life, and of capturing memories that will be cherished for years to come.
- Time flies.
It’s a cliché, but it’s true: time really does fly. Before you know it, your parents will be grey-haired and your siblings will have families of their own. Taking photos of your family on your wedding day is a way of freezing a moment in time, and of capturing your family as they are right now.
- Memories fade.
As the years go by, memories can become fuzzy and indistinct. But a photo can bring everything flooding back – the emotions, the smells, the sounds. By taking photos of your family on your wedding day, you’re ensuring that those memories will be crystal clear, and that you’ll be able to revisit them whenever you want.
- Family dynamics change.
Weddings can be emotional affairs, and sometimes family dynamics can be complicated. But no matter what your relationship with your family is like, taking photos of them on your wedding day is a way of acknowledging that they are an important part of your life. It’s also a way of capturing the relationships between family members – the love, the laughter, the tears – and of celebrating those relationships.
- Family photos are heirlooms.
Finally, family photos are heirlooms. They are the tangible reminders of the people who came before us, and of the love that binds us all together. Your wedding photos will be passed down from generation to generation, and will become part of your family’s history. By taking photos of your family on your wedding day, you’re creating a legacy that will last long after you’re gone.
When should we do our family photos at the wedding?
Planning family photos for your wedding can be overwhelming, but don’t worry, I’m here to help! Let’s talk about some tips to make sure you get the perfect shots of your loved ones.
First things first, it’s important to plan ahead. Make sure you discuss the timing and location with your wedding photographer beforehand. They will be able to give you expert advice on when and where to take the photos.
One great time to take family photos is immediately after the ceremony. This is when everyone is already gathered together, and emotions are high. It’s the perfect time to capture those special photos.
When choosing a location for your family photos, consider a spot that’s easy for your family members to reach quickly. Also, think about the lighting and background of the location to make sure you get the best shots. I will always guide on where the best location is, more often than not it is where the ceremony just took place.
To keep things simple and make sure you don’t miss anyone, create a list of must-have shots. This will help you stay organised and allocate someone from each side to round everyone up.
Finally, be sure to allocate enough time for the family photos. Depending on the size of your family, it can take up to 30 minutes to complete all the photos, but it all depends on the amount of people you have. I never say to limit the number of groups you do, as family portraits are important.
We want a documentary photographer and hate posing for pictures,
I totally get where you’re coming from. It’s your big day, and you want everything to be perfect and just the way you want it. I hear you loud and clear that you’re not a big fan of posing for pictures, and that’s completely understandable.
As a documentary photographer, I understand that you want your wedding photos to be authentic and capture real moments. And that’s exactly what I aim to do with every picture I take. But, I also believe that it’s important to have some traditional family portraits too.
Rest assured that I will work with you to make this part of the day as easy and efficient as possible. I don’t want these portraits to take up too much of your time or make you feel uncomfortable. My goal is to capture beautiful images of you and your loved ones without interrupting the flow of your day.
No matter what style a photographer may have, family portraits will always be an essential part of a wedding day’s coverage. In fact, I can’t think of a single photographer that I know who doesn’t take family portraits. It’s a crucial part of capturing the entire family together on this special day, and it’s an opportunity to create beautiful memories that can be treasured forever.
So, if you’re planning your wedding or any special event, make sure you include family formal portraits in your photography plans. Trust me, you won’t regret it. These portraits will become a treasure to you and your family, reminding you of the love and joy shared on that special day.
I hope you enjoyed reading the article and found it helpful! If you’re interested in me capturing your special day, then please get in touch. I only capture up to 25 weddings per year to make sure that I give every single one of my couples 110% of my energy, effort and creativity. You can read what other couples have said about me either via my google reviews or by my kind words page. Get in touch and I look forward to talking to you soon.
