Reportage is a contemporary form of photography. While the term contemporary wedding photography describes any wedding photography that is not of a usual or traditional style of wedding photography, in reportage wedding photography the emphasis is on the contemporary nature of wedding photography as a form of documentary wedding photography also referred to as wedding photojournalism.
Reportage is highlights the more candid or un-posed photographs that appear to be of a more natural style, focusing on telling the story of your wedding day through the wedding photography; capturing the day as it unfolds without being intrusive. This style has really become possible with the advent of digital photography as the photographer can take hundreds of pictures and edit the photographs after the wedding.
The main thing to consider when considering this as style of photography for your wedding is how long are you willing to spend posing for photographs on your wedding day; most couples prefer that the photographer will combine a mix of photographic styles to ensure the wedding photographs are acceptable to everyone. Granny may be expecting the more traditional set posed style of photograph while those of a more youthful disposition may prefer a reportage style wedding photographs. It is perfectly possible therefore to also shoot a small number of formal group photographs, and spend the rest of the day photographing a more contemporary style of wedding photography with a balance of candid photographs shot throughout the wedding day allowing the wedding album to tell the story of your wedding. This style of wedding album is often referred to as a ‘story book album’ or a ‘coffee table album’ because it has the look and feel of an album that can be left on display all the time.
It is important to remember however, that even with contemporary wedding photography where the style is one of photojournalism; the reportage wedding photography still requires interaction with the wedding photographer, otherwise there is a danger of just having a set of snap shots that actually fail to meet your expectations. Every wedding is unique and every wedding photographer will focus on different aspects of your wedding so be sure you take the time to talk to your photographer about the details and individuals that you feel are essential for your wedding photographer to photograph.
What is Contemporary Wedding Photography?
What is Traditional Wedding Photography?