Why I’ll Never Hand You a Shot List

Many couples ask me if I need a shot list. It sounds practical — a checklist of moments to capture. But here’s the truth: your wedding isn’t a list.

It’s a living, breathing day filled with unpredictable emotions and unplanned magic. Reducing it to bullet points misses the point entirely.

The Problem with Checklists

Shot lists create pressure. They pull couples out of the moment, making them worry about whether every box is ticked. And while we’re busy chasing the checklist, the real story often unfolds somewhere else.

I don’t want you to spend your wedding day performing for a list. I want you to experience it, fully and freely.

Essentials Will Always Be Captured

Of course, I’ll capture the essentials. The kiss, the vows, the first dance, the key family members — you don’t need to remind me. That’s second nature. What matters more are the unscripted moments. The champagne spill that makes everyone laugh. The hug that lasts a little too long. The look your partner gives you when they think no one’s watching.

These are the frames that define your story.

Unscripted Stories Win

The truth is, the most powerful photographs can’t be pre-written. They’re discovered in real time, in the middle of joy, chaos, and love. My role isn’t to follow a script.

It’s to anticipate the unpredictable and to capture the heartbeat of the day as it happens. That’s where the real magic lies.

Why I Leave Lists Behind

That’s why I’ll never ask you for a shot list. Your story isn’t a checklist. It’s an experience — alive, unpredictable, and uniquely yours.

And I want you to live it fully while I preserve it with honesty and intention.