Of all the photos taken on your wedding day, the ones with your family might not be the ones you frame first – but they’re often the ones that stay with you the longest.
Wedding day family photos can sometimes feel like a logistical puzzle – something that must be done for the sake of tradition – rather than a moment to pause with your closest relatives. A long list of combinations, names, and timelines. But done right? They become something far more powerful: a record of love, legacy, and connection.
As a photographer whose work always focuses on legacy, I’ve seen how meaningful (and sometimes emotional) these moments can be and I’ve learned how to make the process feel organized, respectful, and personal.
Here’s how to make your family photos work for you – without stress, without chaos, and without losing the heart of what they’re really for.
Start With the Why
Intention is something you will hear me wax poetic about all throughout my site. It’s for a reason. I deeply believe that keeping it at the forefront can always act as a guide for you. Something to come back to when things start to teeter on the edge. (Like, are you really having a disagreement about colour palettes right now? Leave that to your planner!)
These portraits are about creating images that honour the people who shaped your story – the ones who raised you, supported you, and stood by you.
I always say: if your wedding photos are for you now, your family photos are for the years ahead. They’re for future generations who might never meet some of the people in those frames and for you to remember how it felt to be surrounded by them.
Plan the Combinations
About six weeks before the wedding, I’ll ask you (and your planner, if you have one) to fill out a short list of family groupings. This doesn’t need to be every single person you’ve ever loved, but it’s about the people who matter most, and the configurations that are meaningful to you.
We’ll keep it efficient, but we’ll also keep it thoughtful.
This might include:
- Parents and stepparents
- Siblings and their partners
- Grandparents
- Any chosen family or “bonus” people who feel like home
If there’s someone important you’ve lost, I’ll often ask about ways you’d like to honour them. Whether that’s including a photo, a piece of heirloom jewelry, or simply holding space for their memory.
Choose the Right Time
The most seamless wedding day family photos happen when we schedule them in an organized manner. Typically, that’s either:
- Immediately after the ceremony (when everyone is present and dressed)
- Before the ceremony, if you’re doing a first look and want privacy
Your planner and I will coordinate this with the timeline so it flows smoothly. The goal is always the same: keep it calm, keep it moving, and make it feel good.
Leave Room for Candid Moments, Too
The formal photos are important. But just as valuable are the in-between moments — your mom adjusting your boutonnière, your grandfather tearing up during the ceremony, your siblings laughing over drinks at dinner.
I photograph these moments quietly, without direction. These are the images you don’t know you need until you see them and they often become the ones couples cherish most.
Not Just for You – But for Future Generations
Family wedding portraits are more than a line item on the shot list. They’re heirlooms.
They live in albums that are pulled out at holidays, anniversaries, or long after someone has passed. They show up at funerals and new beginnings.
They’re about memory, belonging, and identity.
So yes, we’ll make them organized. But we’ll also make them matter.
You’re not just creating a record of your wedding day – you’re creating a legacy of love and connection.
Family photos don’t have to be a production. When handled with care, they can be one of the most meaningful parts of the entire experience.
Want family photos that feel effortless, organized, and deeply personal?
That’s what I do best. Learn more about the process – or inquire to begin planning your day with legacy in mind.
