The Small Shift That Completely Changed How I Shoot BIG Group Photos

There’s something I’ve been doing at weddings for a while now—getting everyone together for a big group photo.

It’s always been important to me because, for many of my clients, their wedding day feels like a reunion of all their favorite people.

• Friends from different seasons of life.
• Family who haven’t been in the same room in years.
• People meeting for the first time, already connected through you.

So taking a photo with everyone in it?

That matters.

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The BIG Group Photo? (The One You’ll Always Be Glad You Took)

We bring everyone onto the dance floor during the reception (this works perfectly right before the dance floor opens).

We get close. We make it happen.

I taught yoga for eight years, so I know how to confidently guide a crowd—even when people are:

• distracted
• a little tipsy
• or not fully convinced it’s going to work 😌

I become that loving, persistent voice like:
“Alright y’all, we’re doing this—everyone in, we got this!”

Honestly?
This is one of my secret weapons on a wedding day.

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Step 1: We take the “Civilized” Shot (Yes, We Get the Classic)

We get close. We make it clean.

This is the one where:

• you can see everyone
• grandma is looking
• it’s frame-worthy and timeless

👉🏽 This is your “we did it right” photo.

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Step 2: The “Ratchet” Shot (Because We’re Also Here to Have FUN)

And then… we let it go a little 😏

This is where the energy shifts:

• people start cheering
• hands go up
• someone yells something wild
• the party officially starts

👉🏽 This is your “this is who we are” photo.

And I want both.

Because your wedding deserves:
✨ the polished
✨ and the unfiltered

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Step 3: The Editorial Move (My New Magic Sauce ✨)

Now here’s where it gets really good.

After being in the group…

👉🏽 I’ll pull you and your partner slightly out and place you in front of everyone.

And suddenly, the image changes.

It becomes layered.
Intentional.
A little more editorial.

You’re in the foreground—grounded, connected.

And behind you?

Your people. Still present. Still expressive. Still part of the story.

As a Bay Area wedding photographer, I see this come to life at weddings all across San Francisco and Northern California.

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Why I’ll Always Do All Three

The full group photo is something you’ll always want.

It’s the only time in your life where all of these people are in one place, celebrating you.

But this added editorial shot?

• It elevates the moment.
• It gives you something more layered.
• More dimensional.
• More emotionally connected.

And together, they tell a fuller story:

• the scale of your community
• and your place within it

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If Your Wedding Feels Like a Reunion…

This is for you.

We’re getting the big photo.
We’re making it happen.
And then we’re adding that extra layer that brings you right back into the feeling of it.

Because at the end of the day…

your people are the whole point.

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Vendors Featured

Venue: @palacehotelsf
Photo: @brandirollinsphoto
Video: @last_light_weddings
Florals: @asmahobab
Make-up and Hair: @annettelyon_hair_mua
DJ: @fourleafentertainment
Photobooth: @selfieboothco

✨ If you want wedding photos that feel like your people, your party, your full energy—this is what we’re doing.
Come for the wedding, stay for the party. Check out my Wedding Investment Page!

✨ If you’re planning a Palace Hotel San Francisco wedding and love photography that feels editorial, playful, and full of real moments, I’d love to connect. Check out my Wedding Investment Page!