Example output · Photographer AI
What the Shot List Planner actually produces
Takes your session type, location, duration, and client preferences and generates a structured shot list grouped by category (details, prep, ceremony, formals, etc.) alongside a minute-by-minute timeline schedule for the full event.
- Session Type:
- Wedding
- Client Preferences:
- Candid, documentary-style; warm tones; must-have family formals with both sides; golden hour couple portraits
- Location:
- Hacienda Villa Esmeralda, Napa Valley, CA – ceremony in vineyard, reception in barn
- Duration:
- 10 hours (1 PM – 11 PM)
- Special Requests:
- Capture detail shots of custom floral arch and wedding cake; avoid photographing one estranged family member (will be briefed on-site)
DETAILS (Setup: 1:00-1:30 PM) - Custom floral arch: wide, detail close-ups, texture shots in natural light - Wedding cake: overhead, side angle, slice detail - Rings on bride's bouquet, cufflinks, dress train on vineyard ground - Invitation, programs, place cards near barn entrance - Bride's shoes, groom's boutonniere detail - Venue signage and vineyard rows as establishing shots BRIDE PREP (1:30-2:15 PM) - Getting-ready candids in bridal suite: dress zipping, makeup final touches, emotional moments - Bride in full dress: walking through vineyard rows, detail of veil/headpiece - Bouquet held against dress detail - Lens: 35mm f/2 for intimate moments, 85mm f/1.4 for portraits - Lighting: utilize soft window light, avoid harsh shadows on face GROOM & GROOMSMEN (2:00-2:20 PM) - Candid prep: putting on boutonniere, adjusting tie - Groomsmen final checks, walking to ceremony - First look moment if requested (confirm with couple beforehand) - Lens: 50mm f/1.8, documentary-style framing CEREMONY (2:30-3:00 PM) - Guests arriving and taking seats: candids of family interactions - Groom's reaction as bride walks down aisle (primary position) - Exchange of vows: wide establishing shot, close-up ring exchange - First kiss: multiple angles, one from elevated vineyard perspective - Recessional: joyful couple walking through arch - Lens: 70-200mm f/2.8 for ceremony coverage, 35mm for recessional FORMAL FAMILY PORTRAITS (3:10-4:00 PM) - **MUST-HAVE**: Bride's immediate family group - **MUST-HAVE**: Groom's immediate family group - **MUST-HAVE**: Full wedding party with couple - **MUST-HAVE**: Bride alone, groom alone, couple together - Bride with mother, father, siblings (individual) - Groom with mother, father, siblings (individual) - Extended family combinations as requested - Location: shaded area near barn with vineyard rows as backdrop - Lens: 85mm f/1.4 for clean backgrounds, f/4-f/5.6 for group depth - Lighting note: Position groups to utilize soft sidelight from barn shadows; avoid direct 3 PM sun - **SPECIAL NOTE**: Discreetly photograph around estranged family member; pre-identify location COUPLE PORTRAITS: GOLDEN HOUR (4:30-5:30 PM) - Vineyard rows: walking toward camera, framed by vines - Intimate close-up among grapevines - Silhouette shot with golden light and vineyard backdrop - Couple running through rows with dramatic sky - Seated on wooden bench with barn in soft focus background - Dancing in open field: candid and posed variations - Lens: 70-200mm f/2.8 for compressed backgrounds, 35mm f/2 for environmental portraits - Warm tone adjustment: slightly increase color temperature (3200-3400K) to enhance golden hour warmth - Wait for cloud breaks for most dramatic light (golden hour typically 5:00-5:45 PM in Napa Valley, late September) RECEPTION CANDIDS & EVENTS (6:00-11:00 PM) - Guests entering barn: reactions, conversations - Cocktail hour: candid interactions, detail of drink setup, appetizer moments - Toasts from best man/maid of honor: reactions, emotional moments - First dance: wide establishing shot, close-up of faces, side angle - Parent dances: emotional coverage - Bouquet/garter toss: energy and reactions - Cake cutting: multiple angles, detail of cake slicing, feeding moment - Dancing throughout evening: group energy, couple on dance floor, guest interactions - Barn interior: string lights detail, head table setup, decorated elements - Late-night moments: sparkler exit or send-off candids - Lens mix: 35mm f/2 for intimate moments, 50mm f/1.8 for dancing, 70-200mm for compressed group shots - Lighting: Use on-camera flash with diffuser during darker barn hours; bounce off ceiling when possible BONUS SHOTS (If time/energy permits) - Couple's first look at barn before reception - Detail of bride's bouquet toss angle - Groom's reaction during toasts (secondary angle) - Sunset sky standalone for color palette - Behind-the-scenes: photographer/videographer setup - Guest candids: laughing, toasting, embracing LENS RECOMMENDATIONS - 35mm f/2: versatile workhorse for candids and environmental portraits - 85mm f/1.4: formals and intimate couple shots - 70-200mm f/2.8: ceremony, group compression, dancing isolation - 50mm f/1.8: backup/groomsmen detail - Backup body with same lens set EQUIPMENT NOTES - Bring stepped ND filters for golden hour (manage exposure in bright conditions) - Extra batteries and memory cards (plan for 2000+ frames) - Monopod for golden hour stability without tripod weight - Reflector for fill light during formals if needed - On-camera flash with diffuser and bounce capability for barn reception
1:00 PM – Arrival, equipment setup in barn, scout ceremony vineyard location 1:15 PM – BEGIN DETAIL PHOTOGRAPHY: floral arch, cake, rings, bouquet details (30 min) 1:45 PM – Move to bridal suite, begin bride prep candids 2:00 PM – Simultaneous: continue bride candids; second shooter captures groom prep (20 min) 2:20 PM – Bride final dress shots; groom/groomsmen walk to ceremony site 2:30 PM – CEREMONY BEGINS: 25-30 min duration 3:05 PM – Recess from ceremony; brief equipment check 3:10 PM – BEGIN FORMAL FAMILY PORTRAITS: 50 min block - 3:10-3:25: Bride's family - 3:25-3:40: Groom's family - 3:40-3:55: Wedding party and couple combinations - 3:55-4:05: Couple alone portraits near formals location 4:05 PM – Transition to reception setup; guests cocktail hour 4:20 PM – Scout golden hour light direction; prepare for couple portraits 4:30 PM – BEGIN GOLDEN HOUR COUPLE PORTRAITS: 60 min block - 4:30-5:00: Vineyard walking/intimate shots (maximize soft light) - 5:00-5:30: Peak golden hour: silhouettes, running shots, dancing - 5:30-5:45: Final golden hour details as light fades 5:45 PM – Return to barn, quick camera settings for indoor reception 6:00 PM – RECEPTION BEGINS: continuous candid coverage - 6:00-6:30: Guest mingling, barn details, food setup - 6:30-7:15: Toasts (secure front-center position for reactions) - 7:15-7:45: First dance, parent dances - 7:45-8:30: Cake cutting, cocktail candids - 8:30-10:30: General dancing, group moments, guest interactions (switch to flash as ambient light drops) - 10:30-11:00: Late-night dancing energy, sparkler exit or send-off 11:00 PM – Final frames, pack equipment, depart
Replace the session type, venue, duration, and client preferences with your actual booking details. Add any must-avoid notes (like the estranged family member briefing here) and confirm whether a first look or second shooter applies to your specific job.
Human review: Review the generated shot list against your actual client questionnaire and venue walk-through — details like family group combinations, lighting conditions, and timing buffers must be verified against real on-site constraints before the event.