U.S. President Barack Obama shakes Prime Minister Stephen Harper's hand as G20 leaders gather to take a second family photo after the prime minister missed the first take. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

The traditional photo of the G20 leaders was reshot after Prime Minister Stephen Harper missed his opportunity Thursday to be in the first snap.

Harper met with his officials following the first working session in London on Thursday morning when the picture — dubbed the family photo — was scheduled to be taken.

Officials said the prime minister was getting a quick briefing on changes to the communiqué that is expected to be released by the G20 at the end of the summit.

The BBC, which initially reported that Harper was in the bathroom while the photo was being taken, later retracted that report.

Canadian officials insisted the prime minister was being briefed at the time on the draft G20 communiqué. The other leaders initially waited for Harper but then went ahead with the photo without him.

Harper was scheduled to stand in the right flank of the group next to German Chancellor Angela Merkel for the original photo.

A second attempt to gather the leaders for the photograph was made about an hour later with Harper there.

Some of the other leaders ribbed Harper as they gathered for the second take, reportedly calling out, "Harper, Harper, is Harper here? Harper, this one's for you."

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono missed the second photograph. It is not immediately clear why the two leaders missed the second shot. No third take has been planned.

With files from the Canadian Press