As a Christian Orthodox I consider all religious ceremonies and especially a Greek Orthodox Christening highly significant.
Before the baptism
I speak with the family ahead of time to discuss their expectations and preferences for the photographs. My aim is to find out who the important family members are, and make sure I capture them in the photos.
I also research the internal structure of the church to understand the placement of the baptismal font (kolimpithra). This will help me determine if I have to place an LED light during the ceremony to enhance the quality of light.
Many Greek Orthodox Christening ceremonies take place in dimly lit churches. By using prime lenses, I make sure my equipment can handle low light situations without having to use flash.
During the baptism
It is important to dress appropriately for the occasion. I am dressed as a guest modestly and respectfully, as this is a religious ceremony.
When I arrive at the church, I devote 30 minutes in capturing the details of the ceremony, including the baptismal font, the oil used during the ceremony, the baby’s baptismal gown and the cross.
I approach the photography aspect of a ceremony in a photojourlastic way. I keep a distance from the priest and family so that I can remain unobtrusive. In this way I respect the importance of the moments. My favorite lenses are the Canon RF 50mm 1.2 and the Canon 200mm f2.
I know the main parts of the ceremony and so I can capture images at the right moment and from an interesting angle. In addition, I always make sure I capture the joy and love on the faces of the family members.
It is a priority to capture beautiful posed family portraits, as well as candid shots of the family interacting and enjoying the ceremony.
Photographing a Greek Orthodox Christening ceremony can be a beautiful and meaningful experience. I always remember that it can be unpredictable, so I am prepared to adapt to changing situations and capture the unexpected moments.
After the baptism
After the ceremony, there is often a reception or celebration. I make sure to capture the joy and excitement of the family and guests as they celebrate this special occasion. For that part of the day I use another set of prime lenses more suitable for the dances and fast movement. My favorite lens for this part of the day is the Canon 35mm 1.4 lens.
This is an image from a Christening at St. Parakevi Greek Orthodox Church in Long Island, NY. I had the pleasure to complete an architectural photo shoot of St Paraskevi in 2022.
