Weddings & portraits
Engagement Shoot Shot List
An engagement shoot has a job beyond the images: it is where a couple learns how to be photographed, so the wedding day goes smoothly. That means the running order matters as much as the shot list — warm up before you ask for anything difficult.
This list runs in the order you should shoot it, from easiest to most exposed.
Shots
24
Groups
5
Format
Checklist
The shot list
Warm-up
Start with movement. Nobody relaxes standing still and being looked at.
- 01Walking towards camera, holding hands, talking
- 02Walking away, from behind
- 03Wide environmental shot — they are small in the frame
- 04Whispering something to each other
- 05Walking arm in arm, natural pace
Connection
- 06Forehead touch, eyes closed
- 07One partner behind the other, arms around
- 08Slow dance with no music
- 09Making each other laugh — prompt something specific
- 10Sitting together, close
- 11Looking at each other rather than the camera
Portraits
- 12Both to camera, half length
- 13Both to camera, full length
- 14Each partner alone, close
- 15Backlit into the sun
- 16Open shade, even light, clean background
Ring and detail
- 17Ring on hand, macro
- 18Hands together showing the ring naturally
- 19Ring hand on partner's chest or shoulder
- 20Detail of clothing, textures, held hands
Save the date
- 21Frame with deliberate empty space for text
- 22Horizontal composition for a card
- 23Vertical composition for social
- 24A shot with a sign, date, or prop if they want one
Tips for this kind of shoot
- Shoot for the last hour of light. Everything on this list is easier and better in it.
- Give prompts, not poses. "Walk and tell them about your day" produces better frames than "stand here and smile".
- Leave deliberate negative space in at least three frames. Save-the-date cards need somewhere to put the words.
Use this list on your next shoot
Storeyz keeps your shots in story order for planning and regroups them by location for the day — then you tick them off on your phone as you get them.