"Photo Shot List You Can Create in 5 Minutes: Essential Items to Include for Any Wedding to Avoid Regrets!"
2017.04.11 published
Is a "Photo Instruction Sheet" Necessary??
Hello, I'm Keiko from the Marry Editorial Department*
Suddenly, do you prepare a "Photo Instruction Sheet"??
A "Photo Instruction Sheet" is a way to communicate the shots you absolutely don’t want to miss on your wedding day to the photographer in advance.
While some brides meticulously prepare for each scene, others leave it all up to the photographer without a plan.
I had my wedding recently, and I thought, “I don’t particularly have any specific poses I want, so I’ll just leave it to the photographer,” and decided not to prepare a photo instruction sheet.
In the end, there were shots that I missed…!
The photographer took many wonderful photos of important scenes during the ceremony and reception, and various items even without an instruction sheet♡
However, there were still some shots that I later thought, “I forgot to ask for that…”
Moreover, these weren’t elaborate poses but very basic shots.
This time, I’d like to share the photos I regretted not capturing.
For brides who prepare a photo instruction sheet and those who don’t plan to make one, just conveying these few points should eliminate regrets*
Basic Item to Include in the Photo Instruction Sheet ① Bridal Hair
The first is a photo of my bridal hair* I did have getting ready shots taken, but most were from the front, and I forgot to get a photo that focuses predominantly on the hairstyle.
While there were pictures of me looking sideways during the ceremony and reception, I didn’t have a picture taken from directly behind that focused on the hairstyle, which was a bit disappointing.
Since it was my favorite headpiece, I regretted not writing in the instruction sheet, “I want a photo that focuses on my hairstyle and headpiece.”
Basic Item to Include in the Photo Instruction Sheet ② Bridal Nails
The second is a photo of my nails.
Many brides likely have a design for their bridal nails that matches their dress or kimono for the day♡
I got some hand shots taken, but I hadn’t conveyed that I wanted photos of my nails, so there weren’t any close-up photos that clearly showed the nail design.
Nail photos are mainly for personal reminiscing later on...
Still, I regretted not having a photo that captured my favorite nails alongside my color kimono…*
Basic Item to Include in the Photo Instruction Sheet ③ Full-Body Photo
Surprisingly, there aren’t many nicely captured full-body photos!
There were many stylish shots of just my upper body or feet, but I forgot to get a photo that included me from head to toe…
In the case of pre-wedding shoots where there’s more time, a full-body shot can be taken during the bride's solo shoot.
However, on the hectic wedding day, the number of cuts that can be taken is limited, so if you don’t convey this, there’s a risk it might be missed!
Basic Item to Include in the Photo Instruction Sheet ④ Back Photo
Similarly, a photo taken from directly behind often gets overlooked as well.
To capture expressions during the ceremony and reception, there tend to be many photos taken from the front.
I wore a shiromuku and a color kimono, but I forgot to get photos of both from behind, so I think it’s a good idea to add this to the instruction sheet for safety♡
Basic Item to Include in the Photo Instruction Sheet ⑤ Photos with Each Relative
I took photos with my family, table shots, and group photos, but…
I forgot to take photos with each side of the family, such as my paternal grandparents and aunt's family.
Forgetting family photos is a common "post-wedding regret," and unfortunately, I too fell into this trap.
The wedding day really whizzes by like a storm, and I didn’t have the luxury to even say, “Let’s take a photo together~.”
I regretted not communicating this in advance to the photographer and having them assist with taking the shots…!!
Even Basic Items Should Prompt You to Prepare a Photo Instruction Sheet*
I’ve shared the items I regretted not including in my photo instruction sheet.
Even if you think, “Such basic shots are a given!” it’s so easy to overlook them on the day.
I genuinely believe it's best to create a simple instruction sheet and let the photographer handle it without relying on yourself!
By the way, I received a multitude of photos during the ceremony and reception, so there was no issue at all without preparing an instruction sheet for those parts◎
I was truly impressed that professional wedding photographers know how to capture important scenes of the wedding without needing to be told!
However, for photos of your bridal hair, nails, accessories, and full-body images that include all your outfits…
It seems beneficial to convey your points of emphasis through an instruction sheet*
Items like the ones I’ve mentioned can be easily communicated via email in less than five minutes◎
For brides who think, “Creating a photo instruction sheet is a hassle!” please at least convey these points* You’ll surely avoid regrets later on♡