Baton Rouge Wedding Photographer Family Photos
Baton Rouge Wedding Photographer
The couple is the focal point on any wedding day, but there’s another set of guests that’s equally important, particularly when it comes to photographs: family. Sure, couples want those must-have wedding photos like vows and the first look, but according to wedding photographer Sirena Singleton, wedding-day family photos are some of the most treasured mementos. “In the future, the number one thing you’ll want is photos with your important family members,” Singleton says. “When my grandmother died, I looked back on all of our wedding photos together constantly.”
Must-Have Family Wedding Photos
The Classics
Expect traditional look-at-the-camera poses with your extended family; getting creative with each relative would eat through your time at cocktail hour—or make you late for the reception. In these extended-family photos, Singleton says the couple is almost always in the center, with the family members posed around them.
During Prep
Beyond the can’t-miss family images like parents walking their children down the aisle or participating in first dances, and of course the post-ceremony classics, some must-have shots happen during prep. Expect adorable candids with your mom or sibling zipping up that dress, and of course, the tear-jerking father-daughter first look. For grooms, it could be dad helping tie that ties or put on cufflinks.
Candid Moments
Once the couple is dressed and ready, Singleton says photographers will sneak in a few pre-ceremony family photos to capture those once-in-a-lifetime butterflies. “I encourage the couple to make sure their parents come in for that getting ready period,” she says. “These more personal, un-posed candids are some of my favorite shots.”
Around the Altar
For a church wedding, these family photos typically happen at the altar. For an outdoor or non-religious ceremony, they happen in a photogenic space in or around the venue. It’s best to ask your coordinator, photographer, or venue contact for group-photo location ideas before the big day.
As you brainstorm must-have family portraits, we've rounded up 15 wedding-day family photo ideas for inspiration.
Getting Ready
Photographers like to have the bride’s VIPs help with getting ready. This makes for meaningful candid portraits that encapsulate your big day.
Dad Tying the Tie
Prep-time photos aren’t solely for the bride. Key groom-prep moments, such as dad helping with the tie, make for sweet family candids, too.
The First Look
Few moments are as heartwarming as that first look with mom or dad. Reliving that reaction alone—which often has dad holding back tears—is worth the price of your photographer.
Personality Pics
Inside jokes abound in just about every family. Photographers love to capture these silly jokes, big and small, throughout your wedding day. In fact, tell your photographer ahead of time if there are any specific jokes they should keep an eye out for!
Sibling Portraits
Photographers know the family shot list isn’t complete without the couple’s brothers and sisters. Sometimes the sibling portraits are silly and candid, other times they’re heartfelt or serious. The photographer feels out the vibe for the day and leans into that intuition to capture each family shot perfectly.
