Tiffanie - I've neither shot a wedding or been married but as a person that has attended and participated in weddings; the portrait like photos -IMHO- are THE most boring. Your wedding photos look like everyone elses. Maybe it's just me, but I like to be different from everyone else.
I've likened photography to being able to stop time. You get to capture this moment in time that you'll never get back and as a busy bride; your photographer should be able to capture moments that you weren't able to be apart of or that you missed because you were distracted with other things. I just hope more couples go the "photojournalist" route than the Sears Portrait route.
saundra - Nice post! Shot list for formals only!!!!
trendyphotog - I thought weddings today were about having a special day with family and friends. Lets face it, not very many people like posing for photographs. Formals should be taken. But they shouldn't take up valuable time you want to spend with family and friends at the Reception.
Liene - Came back to tell you that I put this post on Digg because it needs to be read by every bride and planner on the face of the earth. :)
Angie VanDaele - How about getting this in The Wedding Chronicle? I will ask Stuart (Mr.T) to get together with you and we'll put it in the Nov-Dec Issue.
Angie - I totally agree. As a photographer If I have a list that I have to follow I am more concerned about making sure I am checking the list off and missing out on all the beautiful moments that are happening.
melissa jill - Hey Jeff--The example you gave is covered by what I said about how I do family portraits. And like I said, if there's something really important to you--I want to know about it. But a following a long list really does take away from lots of time I could be capturing amazing shots elsewhere. I think it's a trade off where no one wins.
stacey - i second that emotion, melissa! the shot list is such a creativity buzzkill. and have you noticed that when the couples see the few posed shots, there's no reaction...but they "ooh" and "aah" over all the non-traditional stuff!
Jeff Krieger - Hmm..well, I'm not a wedding photographer...I just got married. :) I know, for me, it was important. In fact, there were a bunch of pics I didn't get taken and was disappointed a bit. I realized, eg, that I didn't have a pic of my immediate family and me. I understnad what you're saying about killing creativity. But can't we/you be creative with some structure? :) Just my amateur thoughts... :)
Liene - You crack me up.
Jennifer Radack - I have to give you an AMEN for this post! You nailed it on the head. I just had a bride get a little upset because I didn't have a set list for her to choose from for her pictures! I told her I thought the guys in the blue suits at Sears Portrait studio stole mine!
Heather - I'm with ya sista! Can we all enter the year of 2007, and leave the days of big hair, puffy sleeved wedding dresses and shot lists behind :)