Search for the must-have wedding photos and you'll get a Pinterest list of 150 shots: the shoes on the windowsill, the ring on a succulent, the groomsmen jumping in the air. After 17 years of photographing Los Angeles weddings, here's what I actually tell couples at a consultation. About a dozen frames matter far more than everything else, and almost none of them are on those lists. These are the 12 I will not leave a wedding without, why each one matters, and when in the day I plan for it.

If you want the bigger picture, meaning how the whole day breaks into sections and how long each one takes, I covered that in the wedding photos you actually need. This post is narrower. It's the specific frames.

Why I think must-have lists get it backwards

Most lists are built around objects: rings, invitations, the cake, the centerpieces. Those take thirty seconds each, and I'll get them anyway. The images couples call me about ten years later are almost always about people. A face, a pair of hands, a grandparent who isn't here anymore. So my must-haves are built around moments and relationships, and the details fit into the gaps.

Before the ceremony: two frames

1. A parent seeing you dressed for the first time. Not the outfit on the hanger. Your dad's face in the doorway, or your mom fixing a button that doesn't need fixing. I set aside 10 minutes for this and warn the family it's coming, so nobody is hiding in the kitchen when it happens.

2. Each of you alone, just before you see each other. A quiet portrait minutes before the first look or the walk down the aisle. Nerves show on a face in a way they never do later in the day, and these frames are often the ones couples end up giving to each other.

The ceremony: four frames I position for in advance

3. Your partner's face as you come down the aisle. This is the most important photo of the day, and it's the one I see missed most often, because the photographer is at the back of the aisle shooting the entrance. I stand up front, off to one side, for exactly this reason. If you have two photographers or a photo-and-film team, one person covers the entrance and one covers the reaction.

4. Hands during the vows or the ring exchange. A tight frame on a long lens, shot from the side so nobody blocks the officiant. Hands tell the story without anyone needing to pose.

5. Parents and grandparents watching. The reaction shot from the side aisle. At outdoor LA ceremonies the front rows are often squinting into afternoon sun, which is why I'd much rather the ceremony sit in open shade, like a tree line or the shadow side of a building, than in the prettiest sunny spot at 3 PM.

6. The kiss, and the walk back up the aisle. Two frames, really. The kiss itself, then the recessional ten seconds later, when everyone is laughing and the petals are flying. The recessional is often the more joyful image of the two. Ask your officiant to step to one side before the kiss so they aren't peeking out between your heads. I've lost that shot to a well-meaning officiant more than once.

Family and portraits: three frames that age the best

7. Every grandparent with the two of you. Separately, not only in the big family group. I'll be blunt: this is the photo I push hardest for, because it's the one people ask me to resend years later, usually after a funeral. Put grandparents first in the formal lineup so they can sit down. Family formals usually take 20 to 40 minutes, and I explained how the time right after the ceremony gets used in another post.

8. Both families, together, in one frame. Everyone who matters, organized quickly. It isn't art. It's history. Send me a list with names in advance and put one assertive cousin in charge of rounding people up.

9. One golden-hour portrait. In Los Angeles the good light is short, roughly the last 25 minutes before sunset, and sunset lands just after 8 PM in late June but around 4:45 PM in December. I'll step out with the two of you for 10 to 15 minutes, often between dinner courses. It's the image most couples end up hanging on the wall, which is why I tell couples to hire for light rather than gear.

The reception: three frames that aren't the cake

10. The room before anyone walks in. One clean wide of the reception space with the candles lit and no guests. It takes two minutes, it shows what you and your planner built, and it's the frame your florist will ask for.

11. Your faces during the toasts. Not the speaker holding a microphone. Your face while your best friend tells the story you begged them not to tell. I photograph the speaker once, then turn around and stay on the two of you and your parents.

12. Your friends on the dance floor, wide, with flash. The one where the whole room is moving and someone's tie is around their head. It's the loudest frame of the day, and it balances all the quiet ones. That's why I like coverage to run through at least the first 30 to 45 minutes of open dancing. The party usually peaks early.

What I'd drop when the timeline gets tight

LA timelines slip. Traffic on the 405 delays a shuttle of guests, hair and makeup runs 40 minutes late, the venue needs the ceremony space flipped for dinner. When that happens, here's what I cut, in this order:

  • Staged detail shots: shoes, perfume, the invitation suite styled on a tray. I'll grab a quick version or photograph them in the room as they are.
  • Wedding party variations. One good group photo and one fun one is enough; you don't need the jump, the slow walk and the everyone-look-at-each-other version.
  • The garter and bouquet toss, if you were lukewarm on them anyway.
  • An elaborate grand exit when the venue has a hard curfew.

What I never cut: numbers 3, 7 and 9. If the day falls apart, those three still happen. A short, focused shot list makes this much easier, because everyone knows the priorities before the day starts.

Photo and film: who stands where

Several of these frames depend entirely on position: the aisle reaction, the toasts, the kiss. When the photographer and the videographer come from two different companies, they often end up competing for the same spot and blocking each other. At ConneryFilm, photography and cinematic film are one team under one roof, so we plan those positions together before the wedding. The photographer takes the reaction, and the cinematographers hold the wide shot and the audio. Photography-only collections start at $1,599, and photography with film starts at $3,500 with two cinematographers and one photographer, so all 12 of these moments get covered from more than one angle.

FAQ: must-have wedding photos

How many must-have shots should be on my list?

Ten to fifteen, not a hundred. A short list tells your photographer what matters most to you; a long one turns the day into a scavenger hunt and pulls them away from the moments happening in front of them.

What is the most important wedding photo?

In my experience, it's the reaction of the person waiting at the end of the aisle. It happens once, lasts a few seconds and can't be recreated, which is why it needs a photographer positioned for it in advance.

Do I need a first look to get these photos?

No. A first look frees up 30 to 60 minutes of daylight for portraits and family photos before the ceremony, which helps in winter when the sun sets before 5 PM, but every frame on this list works without one.

Should I give my photographer a shot list?

Yes, but keep it to names and priorities: the family groupings with everyone's names, any relatives who need extra care, and the one or two moments unique to your wedding. Leave the standard shots to your photographer.

When will I get my must-have photos back?

At my studio, sneak peeks usually arrive within 2 to 3 days and the full gallery within 4 to 6 weeks. Across Los Angeles, full galleries typically take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks.

If you're planning a Los Angeles wedding and want a team that already knows where to stand for the moments that matter, I'd love to talk it through with you. Call or text 818.749.7039, or visit ConneryFilm.com to see our photography and films.

Meet the Author: Connery Davoodian Hello, I'm Connery Davoodian, the visionary behind ConneryFilm, and I'm thrilled to share insights from my 17-year journey through the world of wedding photography and videography. My passion extends beyond simply capturing images; it's about artfully weaving your unique love story into a timeless, cinematic masterpiece. My artistic path began long before I ever picked up a camera, deeply rooted in music as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. This diverse background in directing, producing, and editing has cultivated a unique perspective, allowing me to approach each wedding not just as an event, but as a dynamic narrative waiting to be beautifully told. This blend of technical mastery and creative storytelling is the heartbeat of ConneryFilm, ensuring that every frame, every shot, and every film is infused with depth, emotion, and unparalleled artistic integrity. At ConneryFilm, we believe your wedding memories deserve nothing less than bespoke luxury. My philosophy centers on capturing the authentic, unscripted moments – the genuine smiles, the tender glances, the joyful laughter – that truly define your day. While we obsess over exquisite details and sophisticated aesthetics, our true joy comes from making you feel completely at ease, like a "friendor" who genuinely celebrates alongside you. This calm, organized presence allows your true personalities to shine, resulting in images and films that are as real and vibrant as your love itself. Based in the heart of Los Angeles, California, my team and I are privileged to serve couples across the globe, bringing our signature high-end wedding photography and videography to destination weddings worldwide. Through these blog posts, I aim to share invaluable insights, luxurious inspiration, and practical, fun advice to guide you through your wedding planning journey, helping you make informed decisions about preserving your most cherished moments. Thank you for trusting ConneryFilm to be a part of your extraordinary adventure. I'm excited to share my knowledge and passion with you, helping you create memories that will last forever.