The shots you forget are the ones you wish you had. Pick your shoot type and get a categorized, must-get checklist you can tick off on your phone or print and carry on the day.
💡 Your ticks are saved in this browser, so you can plan now and check them off on the day. Bring the printout as a backup — phones die.
On a real shoot the clock runs fast and emotions run high — it's the easiest thing in the world to walk away having nailed the obvious frames but missed the detail shots, the candid in-between moments, or the one combination of people that someone specifically wanted. A shot list turns "I hope I got everything" into "I know I did." It's the single highest-leverage piece of prep, whether you're a second-shooter at a wedding or a parent trying to get one good family photo before the kids melt down.
Use the list as a floor, not a ceiling. Tick off the must-gets first so the essentials are locked, then spend any remaining time chasing the unscripted, in-between moments that usually become everyone's favourites. Don't pose every item to death — for the candid lines on the list, set the scene and shoot in burst while people actually interact.
A shot list tells you what to capture; you still need to know how to direct it. Generate specific posing directions with the free Pose Idea Generator, sort out clothing with the outfit & color planner, or read the in-depth posing guides for your shoot type.