"Less is More: Three Key Points for Creating a Day-Of Shooting Request for Photographers"

2021.10.09 published

Shooting Instructions for the Photographer on the Wedding Day

A request document to communicate "please take these kinds of photos" to the photographer on the wedding day.

For pre-wedding shoots, it's common to create a voluminous booklet or to staple multiple pages together, resulting in a lot of information.

However, on the actual day, as the schedule progresses in a hurry, it's challenging for photographers to receive a request document that’s too detailed...!

They might miss something or spend too much time checking details.

I believe that not putting the photographer in a bind equals getting more of the photos we want, so

it seems effective to create the shooting request document with this point in mind! ♡

@___ohayoo

Point 1: Use One Sheet of Paper (Double-Sided)

Photographers often want to easily pull out the shooting request document from their chest pocket or pants pocket after receiving it from the bride.

Therefore, summarizing all the information on one A4 to B5 size sheet of paper, folded in four, works well! ♡

They can quickly take it out, unfold it, check it, and fold it back up just as quickly.

Be sure to cleverly utilize the space on both sides with photos and text.

@___ohayoo

Point 2: Arrange in Timeline Order

When creating it on one sheet of paper, it's important to focus on "how to make the layout of photos and text easy to read" within the limited space.

Photographers find it helpful when the shooting request document is arranged in timeline order (the flow of the wedding ceremony) from top to bottom.

"This part is finished, next is this scene"

making it convenient to switch gears quickly.

It’s also a good idea to number each scene as ①, ②, ③ for clarity.

@___ohayoo

Point 3: Be Specific and Concise with Your Words

It’s common to include both photos and text in the shooting request document, but it's important that the messages are specific and concise!

There are times when you want them to shoot exactly as shown in the photo,

and other times when you might have a more general vibe in mind, like “something like this is fine!”

Therefore, for more detailed requests,

you might write, “Please include the floral arrangements and capture the scene from afar, including guests’ faces.”

Otherwise, you can simply write, “Please capture the moment as it is in a way similar to the photo.”

Let's aim for clear language that anyone can understand, with sentences that can have only one interpretation.

@waka7.129

Ensuring the Photographer Understands Our Wishes *

The shooting request document to hand to the photographer on the day.

① One sheet of paper (double-sided)

② In timeline order

③ Text that is specific and concise

By keeping these points in mind, let’s create a good document that helps the photographer clearly understand our wishes.

@nmch_wd