People often ask me what the difference is between 'Traditional' and 'Reportage' photography. Basically there are 2 business models in wedding photography one is the Aftermarket sales and the other is Creative Fee model. The one you choose will determine the the sort of pictures you'll get.
The usual traditional wedding photography model is the Aftermarket sales model. These photographers charge an initial low fee and then rely on aftermarket sales of prints, albums,frames, slideshows etc to make their money. Obviously the lower fee draws in the business, but the downside for you the client is that this type of photographer is only interested in taking pictures that will sell. As you've probably already guessed the pictures that sell are the posed family groups and set pieces. And who can blame them, they've got a living to make so why waste time taking detail shots of shoes, flowers, venue and candid shots of guests having fun when ultimately they probably won't sell. The picture here helps tell the story, but it's of little value to the traditional wedding photographer.
The other model, Creative Fee, is the model that I use, I'm paid up front to tell the story of the day and I give the high res files to the client, so I have no thoughts about print sales. I pop the pictures on my website so friends and relatives can see the pictures and if they want buy pictures without hassling the couple. So I'm focused on photographing anything the bride and groom want, so instead of thinking about print sales I'm concentrating on telling the story of the day. I am the bride and grooms personal photographer for the day.
