Elective Reportage was founded in the Spring of 2019 in Champaign, Illinois, based on the idea that society is losing a valuable documentary record of events, people, places, and processes spanning varieties of the significant, but also of the ordinary. For example, in originating this concept, photographer Micah McCoy explained that, with what some may call the “death of print” in terms of the diffusion of electronically based media - and this has occurred in tandem to a transformation of the photographic field towards more freelance work as opposed to contract assignments and commissions – elective reportage is a way to give meaning to the free-flowing, and unrestrained stream of images that appear to be so ubiquitous in contemporary society. McCoy’s idea then, has been to step beyond such forms of documentary by the means that carefully considered photographic practice can provide, while simultaneously embracing these new trends. Elective Reportage is currently based in Illinois and consists of four photographers. This book commemorates their first exhibition and works.