Wedding photography: reportage or formal?

Question

We are currently looking at photographers for our wedding. We're quite interested in the more modern, reportage-style photographs rather than formal shots.

Has anyone here had these sort of photgraphs taken at their weding? What did you think? Are there any circumstances where a more relaxed form of photography is not a good idea?

I can't believe I misspelt "wedding".

Answer 1

Hi Ruth.

In short, yes, my wife and I had reportage style photos taken at our weding, although the whole album was not of this style.

We opted for a photogpaher who could provide a nice combo of formal, candid and reportage photos in order to achieve a good balance to the album. That said, reportage is a style where you can get away with having the whole album that style should you choose.

In terms of times when relaxed images may not suit, the most obvious answer is when it comes to shots that other family members may want to hang on their wall or place in a photo frame on their mantelpiece. Whilst my wife and I have a lovely shot of us kissing on a bridge in black and white on the wall in our house (taken reportage style), both our sets of parents have ones of us standing alongside them (taken formal style). You will tend to find that 'older folk' prefer the more traditional style.

Before making the final decision on what style to go for and who to use, I would suggest doing a lot of shopping around and a fair bit of research - you will find that whilst some photogrpahers claim they can shoot 'reportage style' not all will be of the same standard. I have attached a link to a site that tells you what to look out for when choosing a wedding photographer and it may well be worth checking out prior to making the final decision.

By the way, just to make you feel better, you might want to check how I've spelt wedding in the first paragraph!

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

If go for the reportage style, remember that they will need to presented differently.

there is no point putting one a page as you will with formals.

Look for a photographer who uses Queensberry Albums, they are designed to show of reportage photographs- expensive but really really great

You will pay more for a reportage photographer, but they will have been trained, it's not something you can just pick up. Beware of photographers who say they can do "reportage style" just because it's the fashion. A proper reportage photographer will cost £1500 + and you won't notice them.

if your on a budget go for traditional ones, they are harder to **** up, and are usually covered by people who have a second job and therefore can charge less.

A reportage photographer needs to anticipate and revisualize the moments before they happen, it's a skill. Traditional photographers just involve someone who can organise people and focus a camera.

A good Photographer can do both effortlessly.

Good Luck, and make sure you insist on seeing a whole album from one wedding not just one with the best selection from lots of weddings.

Answer 3

If you're having a video done as well it is often best to get formal photos as the videographer can get really nice shots of your poses and the rest is mostly reportage (well, good videographers never have to pose you for any shot, they just film what is there and what the photographer does). It can often be a nice contrast having reportage video set to music like a TV programme and formal photos.

If you think you'll want some group shots then reportage might not be the best way for you - people will often try to duck out of reportage photos.

Answer 4

I had reportage style at my wedding and the photo's are fantastic.

Go for this style and then get the photographer to take some formal shots like what we did - these mainly consisted of family shots and stuff.

I hope you have a fab day and enjoy!!

Answer 5

I got married in April, for the 3rd time, so i'm probably a lot older than you!

We had a friend who is a good photographer take all the pics. She did formal shots - all the groups etc, and later on at the reception she just went round 'catching' people. So our album is a mixture of both and its lovely.

Do make sure that any particular shots, or people, have the pics taken. Write a list for the photographer. You cant go back and do it again!

Answer 6

Why not just go for a mix of both. Most professional photgraphers do it. We did and it looks good. Also, means the older members of the family can request copies of the formal pictures for the top of their mantlepiece. The reportage can be quite humourous and bring something a bit different to proceedings.

Answer 7

I had two photographers...one did formal and one did reportage. The formal ones are up on the wall. The reportage ones look nice, but they're just sitting in a box.

Answer 8

The style you are looking at is called journalistic...the photographers are almost never seen but are able to capture the little things that formal shots would definitely miss. Journalistic photography is growing in popularity and is the most comprehensive because they also do formal shots...in the end you'll have at least 400-500 shots to look through.

Answer 9

Definetely get both done, but you could always get more informal ones if thats the style you like.

Grandparents and guests tend to like the formal ones so that they can get reprints.

My fiancee and i are getting married next year and we worried about the same thing. We wanted more informal shots as we thought they'd capture the day better by my future in laws wanted to make sure there were still group pictures, we found a great photographer who will take both sorts to keep everyone happy. (one more thing to tick off the list!)

Answer 10

At my wedding we had both, so at least you have an option when it comes to choosing them for your album. The more relaxed photos were great, but not really the sort of thing you can hang on your wall.
We did have the most fantastic photogrrpher though and it really helps to have a photographer that not only does what you ask but that you can build a rappor with.