Welcome to the blog, sort of like a digital garden where dreams are planted and grow wild! My name is Quianna and my family calls me “Qui” like key! I’m a traveling photographer based in Scottsdale and the Bay Area.
I love adventures and creating memories even more than I love photographing them—and I LOVE taking photos! In addition to capturing weddings, family milestones, and the best memories I also offer business tools, motivation and inspiration to help creatives turn their passions into their profession. We only get this one life, why not live our days doing what we love?
8 Wedding Photos Every Mother in Law Secretly Wants | Scottsdale Wedding Photographer
We all have check lists for our couples, shot lists for the vendors and even our own creative image ideas burned in our brains. But what about our couple’s parents? You see I’m a firm believer that wedding days are beyond “just about you!” Joining two families and celebrating marriage is more than just about the seating chart, guest list, open bar and venue location. Weddings can be an incredible honor and accomplishment for families and having a photographer that understands these memories can so important!
So why is it titled for the Mother In Law? Well, every relationship is different and usually mother’s will have their demands, however this list applies to all parents and grandparents!
8 Photos Every Mother in Law Secretly Wants On The Wedding Day
Getting Ready Photos
Clasping gowns, fluffing the veil and adjusting bow ties are a must! Don’t forget sweet moments filled with tears, hugs and ugly cries. She will cherish a combination of action shots, hugs and photos with everyone looking at the camera.
Christmas Card Status Photo
This will make or break it for the photographer. Not from the eyes of the couple, but if you capture these, parents will forever rave about you! Make sure to include a couple combinations. Some with immediate family only, then add the spouses and children, too! Include the groom’s little brother’s girlfriend and then kick her out for a couple as well. Personally, my rule of thumb is that if they don’t have a ring or a baby then they can be added, but another without them as well.
I also love to grab Mama’s and their girls or Dad’s and their boys for quick pics like this, too! They will love these! Mix it up with fun candids in addition to the formal, straight forward smiles. This adds so much personality and unexpected memories for families on the wedding day!
Grandparent Photos
I love including a variation of grandparent photos for my families. Some with each grandparent and the bride or groom, individuals with grandparents by themselves, too!
Godparents + Special Elderly Guests
These are couples that may be long time family friends, godparents or even elderly family members. Catch them with the couple or group photos by themselves individually too. Everyone at weddings are feeling their best, dressed up and feeling sharp! It’s important to go out of your way to create these photos opts, even if you have to come to them seated during the reception.
Parents Only
Don’t forget to snap a handful photos with the couples parents, too! They will LOVE these and be so proud! If sticky divorces come into play, pull new step parents or their dates aside during cocktail hour or during the reception. You’ll be able to read the situation, no need to have a photo shoot with the bride’s mother and new boy friend in front of everyone during family formals!
Ceremony Reaction Photos
Catch parents and grandparents shedding a tear during the ceremony. Moments of honor, praise and all the emotions! After all, many of us rush through a 20-30 minute ceremony when this is the reason for the celebration!
Group Picture of all Wedding Guests
Not all venues will permit this, but grabbing an overhead shot of everyone during the ceremony or on the dance floor is so fun!
Updated Profile Pics
Last, but not least… the mother or mother in law will LOVE to have an updated Facebook Head Shot! She’s so proud and would love a couple individual photos of herself. Catch her escorting guests before the ceremony, holding a bouquet during the reception, or even holding a glass of wine near the dance floor. She will be so grateful to have a couple snaps of just herself, feeling and looking her best!
These are of course, just a handful of requests from the Mama’s! Some may not even love to have their photo taken, but I gently encourage (make them anyway!) They will love these and feel so appreciative!
Remember, we give our full attention to the couples we shoot, but don’t forget about the mother’s that helped make this day possible.
You can expect to hear back from me within 24 hours on weekdays! Weekends are reserved for shooting weddings, but I'll be back in a jif to reply to your message!
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