Reportage, Documentary, Photojournalistic wedding photography – what do they mean?
In general, those three phrases mean the same thing. The documentary, photojournalistic or reportage photographer at your wedding should be taking many unposed photographs. The intention is to document, or report, on your wedding. (I think ‘Photojournalistic’ is an American phrase, but meaning the same thing.)
‘
Years ago, sometimes even today, every photograph at a wedding was posed. Your photographer would have arrived with a tripod, and during the reception a long list of group photos would be taken, with people leaving the reception to pose with the bride and groom in front of his or her camera (which rarely moved.) The photographer was in control and every photo was contrived.
‘
This was unwieldy (because of the tripod) and time consuming (because they had to get their subjects to stop and pose.) Some photographers gave all of us a bad reputation by holding up proceedings at the church and reception. Ministers don’t like the bride’s arrival delaying the ceremony, and venues worry about guests sitting down for the wedding breakfast on time.
‘
The fashion for documentary and reportage wedding photography came out of new technology (firstly highly sensitive film, latterly highly sensitive digital cameras) which enabled the photographer to get the camera off a tripod and use less lighting equipment and so be more mobile, and the desire for the wedding party to spend less time posing and more time enjoying themselves, while still getting a record of their day.
‘
However, getting it right is hard to do. i spend an inordinate amount of time looking at other photographers web sites, and there’s many who produce wonderful, unobtrusive, captured moments time after time. However, most of the documentary and reportage photographs I see on the web are not ‘unobtrusive’ and ‘unposed.’ They’re recreations of the reality of the day. You can tell when the photo of a Bride grinning from the window of her wedding car is contrived (“Can you smile and look happy, please!”) or the genuine emotion in that split second as the car arrived. It’s the difference between your photographer controlling the events at your wedding and your photographer not interfering, but observing, and capturing the emotions of the day as they happen.
‘
I would hope that all professional wedding photographers understand the technical side of their cameras, and comprehend what good composition is. The difference between a good documentary photographer and the others is that they don’t disrupt the flow of events – we wait for the content of each frame to align itself into a great composition and we don’t recreate events at the wedding.
‘
Many will agree with me that the greatest documentary, or reportage, photographer of all time is Henri Cartier-Bresson. He set the standard of the genre, a standard that some of us try and achieve in our wedding photography. He is also know for his phrase to describe his greatest photographs: “The Decisive Moment.” This is when the elements that make up the content within a frame align themselves to make a composition that is greater than the sum of the constituent parts. To achieve this requires complete concentration, the ability to predict what will happen next, and perfect timing. I am certainly no Cartier-Bresson, but his photographs set the bench-mark that I aim for.
‘
Of course, even I pose people! There are family group shots which are a pre-requisite for any wedding, and the photos of the Bride and Groom that will appear on their parents’ walls and Grandmother’s mantel pieces. But all too often, I hear that the Bride and Groom’s favourite photograph of themselves is one that I’ve taken when they weren’t aware I was taking it (nike the photo of Sarah and James above.)
‘
It’s often said that wedding photographers don’t sell photos, they sell memories. I really hope that the memories of your wedding are not of your photographer telling you how and where to stand, to smile, sit, hug, and so on. I sincerely hope that looking at your photos brings back memories of your happiest day.
‘
My thanks to my colleague Steven Taylor Photography, whose own blog post inspired this one.
‘
Suzie and Phil’s Lennoxlove wedding
It was cold for Phil and Suzie’s wedding at the wonderfully romantic Lennoxlove House in East Lothian. Luckily it was beautifully warm inside, a distinct contrast to the 2 degrees centigrade outside. Suzie and Phil were brave enough to have a quick walk around the gardens for some photos, where the cherry tree blossom had emerged, thanks to the warmest November in Scotland on record!
The undercroft chapel was only lit with candles, adding a lovely warm glow to their simple humanist ceremony. And then it was on to the rest of the house where their guests drank champagne while surounded by the most amazing art collection of any wedding venue.
After the most unique and entertaining Best Man’s speech I’ve ever heard, The Jiggers provided music, adding some amusing twists to the traditional ceilidh dancing.
Phil is originally from Essex, as were a good proportion of the guests. I have to say, they were nothing like that lot you see on TV!
Here’s a small selection of their black and white wedding photos. You can see more colour wedding photography from their Lennoxlove wedding by clicking on this order photos link.
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
Debbie and Ray’s North Berwick wedding
Debbie and Ray rang me just a few weeks before their wedding – it was going to be a small wedding with just their son and parents, in North Berwick registry office. Unbelievably, I’d never photographed there, despite living less than 10 meters away!
Their son Callum nearly stole the show. He’s a bundle of energy and very easy to photograph once he stands still enough. However, I think Debbie’s Biba dress was the highlight of the day, and I think Ray agrees with me!
There’s one photo from the registry office and the rest are from nearby Yellowcraig Beach and its ‘Treasure Island’ adventure playground. Full marks if you can leave a comment and correctly explain why it’s called that!
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
No News is Good News
Two months is a long time with no blog posts, but I have my excuses!
There are actually two pieces of very big news that have happened to me this year.
Firstly, I finally managed to give up smoking. I haven’t had a cigarette since the 14th January! I suspect that like an alcoholic, I’ll always be a smoker – but just not smoking.
Secondly, after over ten years of being single – I’ve met someone! However, since Charlotte lives in Oxfordshire, I’m spending a lot of time getting to know the A1/M1/M40 – or reading lots of books on trains.
Lastly, and not very importantly, I’ve been having fun with my small but growing photo series of ‘blurry landscapes,’ two of which can be seen below.
Briony and Ben’s wedding at Gullane and Archerfield
Somebody must have had a word with the weather gods before Briony and Ben’s wedding! The predicted “heavy showers all afternoon” never materialised, and they and their guests enjoyed a warm and dry, if cloudy, afternoon and evening.
After getting married in Briony’s family church in Gullane, the wedding party made it’s way through the Archerfield estate to the huge marquee next to Marine Villa, with inspiring views across the water to Fidra Island.
It is a fantastic location, mixing open views and tree lined walkways, and combined with the marquee, staff and wonderful food, you’re guaranteed to have a great day and evening. I have never seen a dance floor so consistently crowded with people!
Here’s a small selection of photos. There’s another 100 photos to view on the order prints page.
