Shot lists are important – both for the client and us photographers for a couple of reasons. They can help plan the day and they list important people in the mitzvah child’s life.
While there are certain photo ops that your photographer would normally do, it still helps to let us know if there are anything out of the ordinary. These can be everything from holding the torah during the temple or knowing that the tallis is greatgrandpa’s to the hamotzi and hora. These photo ops should be a conversation between you and your photographer and should be on your timeline.
Here are a few suggestions your photographer would like to know (and give you tips!) when it comes to shot lists:
- The temple session: is really driven by how much time the temple allows. It is usually limited to immediate family and grandparents if they are with us and able to come. But extended family may be able to join in towards the end if time allows. Want more family photos or more with the mitzvah child only? Coordinate with the temple if possible for more time.
- A list, with names, is helpful! The photographer can organize the list efficiently for you.
- You know your family best. If anyone tends to run late or will need time to get settled once they arrive at the temple, you can give them an earlier arrival time.
- Who is special to your family and may not be at the temple session? Could be extended family that is only invited to the party. We need it to know if you want candids or formals with them. This can be family friends, caregivers, college friends, etc…
- Family photos prior to the party. If it is an evening party, discuss with your photographer how and when to do this. Shifting coverage 30 mins to an hour earlier is one way to make sure you enjoy your party without interruption. You can also always add time as well. If your party is right after services, work with your photographer to decide on how much of your cocktail hour will be needed for photos.
- Assign an ‘event guide’ to help you photographer find and gather the people you want photos of at the party. This person is not you or your spouse. It can be a best friend, cousin, in-law etc… Please speak with that person prior to the event to confirm they are willing to do this for you.
- Is there anything special happening at the party? A crazy dance number that starts off normal? A special guest surprise? Confetti drops? Special treat at the end? All of these have happened to me. Some I found out in advance. Others, 5 mins before. The more I know, the better and I can keep a secret.
- This next one is sensitive. Does anyone have any conditions that will affect how I do my best for you? I do NOT need to know details. But I do need to know that grandma will need to be seated for all photos or that someone doesn’t like the flash going off. It can be anything. This can also be ‘family dynamics’. Not limited to divorce, and can include anyone who can’t be in the photo/stand next to/etc…to someone else. Again, don’t need to know the details. I only need to know how you’d like me to handle it. In 17 years, I have handled quite a bit.
- Your DJ should be handling the timeline for the party. Please share this with the photographer about a week before or whenever your last meeting is. Don’t worry about things changing, I always check in with the DJ when I get there to compare timelines.
- Table shots – another sensitive one. We all realize it is a very rare occasion to have everyone in one place at the same time, especially for those of the older generations you are present. But they are not done much anymore. From experience, the guests don’t appear to like them. They have to stop talking or eating – basically stop enjoying themselves, to get up and stand for a photo. And sometimes they wave off the photographer because someone is missing making the photographer come back and taking time away from the fun candids. And because your guests are having a great time, they are likely on the dance floor and not sitting at a table. There are ways to accomplish the main goal. Have a discussion on how best to do this for your situation.
I hope this helps. I do realize that everyone’s situation is different and this is not a definitive list and merely a possible one. Having clear communications with all of your vendors will make your child’s big day run smoothly.
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