Why I Don’t Recommend Table Shots (And What to Do Instead)

Let’s talk about table shots—those posed photos of every guest sitting around their dinner table. They used to be a wedding standard, but today they’re one of the least flattering, most time-consuming ways to capture your guests. And honestly? Your guests deserve better photos than that.

Why Table Shots Aren’t Ideal

1. It’s almost impossible to get everyone at the table at the same time.
Someone is always in the bathroom, at the bar, outside getting air, chasing a kid, or on the dance floor. By the time you’ve tracked down the missing person, the food is being served—or cleared.

2. They disrupt dinner service.
Catering teams run on tight timelines. Table shots often mean asking guests to stand up in the middle of eating, or squeezing between servers carrying trays. It’s stressful for everyone involved.

3. The tables aren’t at their best.
Half-eaten plates, water glasses, crumpled napkins, bread baskets, and drink condensation don’t exactly make for frame-worthy photos. Even beautifully set tables look less magical once dinner starts.

4. They’re rarely flattering.
Sitting photos tend to distort angles, and no one wants their wedding gallery full of pictures of guests mid-bite or awkwardly half-standing for a rushed photo.

Better Alternatives for Guest Photos

The good news: there are much better, more natural ways to capture your friends and family.

1. Cocktail Hour Group Photos

Cocktail hour is the goldmine of guest photos. People are up, moving, socializing, and generally feeling great.
This is the perfect time for me (or a second photographer) to approach groups and say, “Let’s get a quick photo!”—and boom, you get flattering images of the people you love actually enjoying themselves.

This works especially well when there are two photographers. One can focus on post-ceremony family portraits and ceremony details, while the other is fully dedicated to capturing your guests.

2. Opt for a Photo Booth

If you want to guarantee photos of all your guests, a photo booth is your best friend.
There are so many styles now classic booths, open-air studios, glam filters, 360 booths, Polaroid stations. Guests love them, and you get a full gallery of fun, personality-filled images without pulling anyone away from their meal.

The Goal: Great Photos Without Stress

You deserve a smooth wedding day. Your guests deserve photos where they actually look like themselves. And your catering team deserves to work without dodging a photographer during dinner.

Skip the table shots. Go for natural, joyful guest photos instead, and I promise, your gallery will be so much better for it.

Want help building a smooth timeline that includes guest photos? I’ve got you.