Stress-Free Family Photos: Tips from an Austin Wedding Photographer
Whenever I talk to clients about their wedding day, one of the first things they bring up that stresses them out is formal family photos. You know the moment: everyone lines up, we’re looking for grandma (who surely can’t have gone far), an uncle sneaks off to grab another drink, and cousins are halfway through cocktail hour snacks. Meanwhile, you just want to get through the portraits so you can enjoy your day.
This moment usually comes with a lot of anticipated stress. Most couples don’t consider it a top priority compared to candid moments or portraits of just the two of you. But family expectations often make it feel non-negotiable. The good news is that with the right planning and approach, these photos don’t have to be overwhelming.
As an Austin wedding photographer, I’ve developed a process that keeps family portraits smooth, efficient, and, dare I say, enjoyable.
Why Family Photos Feel Stressful
Family photos can sometimes feel like herding cats. It’s time-consuming and often confusing if there’s no clear plan. Guests drift away, different relatives want different groupings, and suddenly you’re spending more time wrangling people than celebrating.
That’s why I always work from a clearly defined shot list. Unlike candid moments where documentary style photography allows me to follow the flow of the day, family formals are the one part of the wedding where structure is essential and I operate off of a defined shot list.
My Approach: The Dwindle Down Method
In the weeks leading up to your wedding, I’ll ask you to create a detailed list of all the family groupings you want. Most photographers do this, but I take it one step further with what I call the dwindle down method.
Here’s how it works: instead of calling people back multiple times, we start with the largest group and slowly dismiss people.
For example:
Start with both families together.
Ask the groom’s family to step aside → photo of the bride’s entire family.
Dismiss grandparents → photo of the bride’s parents and siblings.
Dismiss siblings → photo of just the couple with the bride’s parents.
Repeat the process with the groom’s side.
This method minimizes waiting, keeps people happy, and gets you to cocktail hour before you even know it!
Do You Really Need Extended Family in Formal Photos?
Here’s a helpful reminder: not every extended family member needs to be in the formal lineup. If you’d love a picture with a cousin, aunt, or family friend, we can capture those later during cocktail hour or the reception. That way, the formal portrait time is reserved for your closest family members.
When you create your family photo list, make note of any “must-have” shots with extended relatives, and I’ll highlight them in the timeline. This ensures we don’t miss those moments while still keeping the process streamlined.
Alternatives to Traditional Family Photos
Maybe you’re brave enough to tell your mom you want something different, or maybe your family already leans toward candid moments instead of stiff poses. If that’s the case, here are a few creative alternatives I’ve seen couples pull of!
1. Private Cocktail Hour with Family
Instead of lining everyone up, you could have the caterers deliver cocktail hour snacks and drinks to a private space on the venue grounds. This gives your family time together without the stress of standing in formation, while I capture genuine, candid laughter and connection. Venues like The Wildflower Barn, The Prospect House, and Camp Lucy have all kinds of spaces throughout their grounds where you could find something tucked away to keep things intimate!
2. Documentary-Style Candids
If posed family portraits aren’t your style, you can opt for documentary style wedding photography instead. Instead of lined up group shots, I can work with a focus on getting photos of your family throughout the day! I’ll ask you to send me a document with photos of your immediate family so I know their faces and names ahead of time. This way, I can intentionally focus on capturing candid moments of them throughout the day — laughing, dancing, hugging, and celebrating. And of course, we can list out a couple group photos of your family that we can get at the reception! Junebug Weddings shows off how cool family candids can be in this blog post!
Tips to Make Family Photos Stress-Free
Finalize your shot list early → Share it with me at least a month before the wedding.
Tell your family ahead of time → Make sure they know where and when to be so we don’t waste time tracking people down.
Choose a clear location → Pick a spot with open space and good light. Avoid crowded areas where guests might wander through.
Trust the process → I’ll guide everyone, pose them naturally, and keep things moving so you can get back to enjoying your day.
Let’s Talk About Your Wedding
Family photos don’t have to be the stressful part of your wedding day. With the right planning and the dwindle down method, we can get them done quickly while still creating images your family will treasure.
If you’re looking for Austin wedding photographers who can balance structured family portraits with candid, documentary-style moments, I’d love to connect. Whether you’re drawn to traditional family photos, candid alternatives, or a mix of both, I’ll help you design a wedding photography experience that feels stress-free and authentic.
FAQ
How long do family wedding photos usually take?
With a clear shot list and my dwindle down method, formal family photos typically take 15–20 minutes. Larger families or more group combinations can take longer, but planning ahead ensures it doesn’t eat into your cocktail hour.
Do I need a shot list for family photos?
Yes! A shot list is essential for keeping this part of the day organized. It ensures we don’t miss anyone important and keeps the process stress-free. I’ll guide you on how to make your list and suggest the best order so portraits flow naturally.
Should I include extended family in formal photos?
Not always. Extended family can often be photographed later during cocktail hour or the reception. Keeping formal portraits limited to immediate family helps things go faster while still leaving time for meaningful candids with extended relatives.
What’s the best time of day for family photos?
Family photos are often taken immediately after the ceremony, while everyone is already gathered. If your ceremony runs close to sunset, we can adjust timing to make sure we capture portraits in the best possible light.
Where should we take family photos?
Choose a location that’s spacious, well-lit, and easy for family members to access. If anyone in the family has mobility limitations, ask the venue ahead of time what may be a good location near where the ceremony is being held!
Let’s Talk About Your Wedding
These are just a few ways to make your morning more relaxed while ensuring gorgeous photos. If you’re planning your wedding and want to talk about how to get the photos you’ve always dreamed of, I’d love to connect. Whether you’re searching for Austin wedding photographers, exploring unique Austin wedding venues, or curious about destination wedding photography, I’d be honored to help.
This blog is an excerpt from a wedding guide I wrote to help couples like you plan in such a way that you get the photos of your dreams! Download the full guide here!
About the Author
Hey Y’all! I’m Thomas, a New Jersey native turned Texas transplant. I’m a third-generation photographer and a deep extrovert. You’ll usually find me with the people I love, putting them in front of my camera so I can capture the incredible stories unfolding around me. It’s this drive that sent me down the road of bringing visual storytelling to people’s wedding days.
The best part of my job is getting to capture the unique story that unfolds during your wedding day so you can look back on it for a lifetime.