Make Your Wedding Group Photos Rock!

Remember: your group photos will be passed down through generations, so it pays to make them look good!

What pops into your head when you think of wedding group photographs? Boring? Time-consuming? Would rather be enjoying your first glass of bubbly?

Formal group shots have been part and parcel of wedding photography since people started taking photographs at weddings. Having a photographer who can organise them quickly and efficiently, allowing guests to relax is important, but so is someone who can think outside of the box and create something different if the situation allows. I want to show you a variety of group shots that may help you decide which you would prefer to have on your day.

Traditional formal group shots are often taken immediately after the ceremony. To make life easier when organising groups, make sure your photographer has a list of the groups in advance (I'd recommend around 8-10) and has some assistance in gathering the right people (an usher who has a good voice is ideal!)

A well balanced group shot with genuine smiles is always the goal!

Using the idea of 'layers' helps stagger groups and makes for a more interesting setup.

Using a wide aperture helps blur the background and isolate the subjects.

Wait for the perfect moment.

Finding cool locations at the reception to stage informal group shots can result in awesome images. Add depth, props and vary the height to help create a striking image. This sort of group shot is becoming more popular and it is possible, with a little creativity to have group shots that stand out from the ordinary. A great group shot should reflect the personalities within it. Having fun whilst taking portraits always helps as it generally makes those on the other side of the lens more relaxed, leading to more natural photographs.

Props can add colour and action.

Trees and umbrellas. But perhaps not together!

The second people think the pictures are over is when to strike!

Guys will always want to look cool.

And girls will always want to look beautiful.

Use the location to your advantage.

A little time spent arranging is well worth the effort.

The 'everybody' shot. Still requested by many couples!

So there you have it. A variety of creative group shots that show you don't have to go down the traditional route. Everyone is different so why be stuck with just having ordinary group shots? A photographer who understands your requirements is essential. If you like my approach why not get in touch or head over to my wedding photography website to see how I go about capturing the rest of your day.