The baptism may be the sacred center of the day, but the reception is where families begin to relax. Grandparents hold the newly baptized child, cousins find one another on the dance floor, and conversations replace ceremony. These quiet interactions often reveal the relationships that become the most meaningful photographs of the celebration.
My approach is to photograph the reception as a storyteller rather than simply documenting who was present. While I certainly capture portraits, family groups, and important traditions, I focus primarily on the genuine interactions that reveal the spirit of the day.
While gentle direction may help people feel comfortable, my favorite photographs almost always come afterward—when conversation replaces posing and families become absorbed in one another. Those unscripted moments often become the photographs they treasure most.
Greek Orthodox christening receptions are especially rich with emotion and tradition. Whether it is the first dance, the money dance, a family circle forming on the dance floor, or the cutting of the cake, I strive to capture not only what happened but also what it felt like to be there.
By the end of the reception, I hope the photographs tell a complete story—not only of the celebration itself, but of the relationships that gave it meaning.
Years from now, children will not remember the menu or the decorations. They will remember the people who gathered to celebrate them. My hope is that the photographs preserve those relationships with the same warmth they were experienced that day.
If you are planning a Greek Orthodox christening in Long Island, New York City, Westchester, Connecticut, or the Hudson Valley, I would be honored to document your family’s celebration with a natural and unobtrusive approach.
A Greek Orthodox baptism is one of the most symbolic and meaningful sacraments of the Church. It follows a very specific sequence of ancient rituals, each with its own deep theological meaning.
The afternoon light filtered softly through the tall stained-glass windows of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, casting warm colors across the marble floors. As guests gathered in the narthex, there was a quiet hum of greetings, embraces, and the familiar warmth that comes when family and friends reunite for a joyful occasion.
At the center of it all was the little one—calm, curious, dressed in delicate white. Surrounded by proud parents and godparents, the child became the silent heart of the celebration, the reason everyone had come together on this sacred day.
In the pews beyond, relatives and friends stood in reverent silence. Their faces, lit by the cathedral’s warm glow, reflected a shared tenderness.
The priest welcomed the family at the front of the cathedral, his vestments shimmering under the gentle glow of the chandeliers.
The sequence of the service is as follows:
1. Reception and Naming of the Child
The priest meets the family in the narthex and formally receives the child into the Church. At this moment, the child is given their Christian name, and the godparent assumes the spiritual responsibility to guide the child in the Orthodox faith.
2. Renunciation of Satan and Profession of Faith
Standing in the narthex, the godparent turns to the west and renounces Satan three times.
Turning to the east, they profess the Orthodox Christian faith and recite the Nicene Creed, declaring the child’s entry into the light of Christ.
3. Entrance Into the Nave
The priest leads the family and the newly received child into the main body of the church. Prayers are offered for the child’s protection, enlightenment, and spiritual growth.
4. Blessing of the Baptismal Water
At the font, the priest blesses the water through prayer and symbolic actions, including breathing over it in the form of a cross. Blessed oil is also added to the water, signifying joy and preparation for the sacrament.
5. Pre-Baptismal Anointing
The child is anointed with the Oil of Gladness on the chest, back, hands, feet, ears, and mouth. This anointing symbolizes strength and readiness to receive new spiritual life in Christ.
6. The Baptism by Triple Immersion
The priest immerses the child three times into the blessed water, invoking the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Through this act, the child mystically dies and rises with Christ, entering into the fullness of the Christian faith.
7. The Sacrament of Holy Chrismation
Immediately following baptism, the priest anoints the child with Holy Chrism (Myrrh) on the forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, chest, hands, and feet. This seals the newly baptized with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
8. Tonsure
The priest cuts small locks of hair from the child’s head in the form of a cross. This act symbolizes the child’s first offering to God and the dedication of their life to Christ.
9. Vesting in the Baptismal Garment
The child is clothed in white garments, signifying purity, renewal, and the new life bestowed through baptism.
10. Procession Around the Font
Priest, godparent, and child circle the baptismal font three times as hymns are chanted. This joyous procession reflects the child’s entrance into the community of the Church.
11. Holy Communion
As a full member of the Orthodox Church, the child receives Holy Communion for the first time, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ.
12. Final Blessing and Presentation
The priest offers the final prayers and blessings, then presents the newly baptized child to the family and gathered congregation, who joyfully welcome the child into the faith.
After the ceremony, the atmosphere turned even brighter. Guests gathered around the baby, offering wishes, kisses, and gentle touches on tiny hands. The parents glowed—proud, grateful, and perhaps a bit overwhelmed by the outpouring of love.
In the reception that followed, there were embraces, laughter, and shared stories between people who hadn’t seen each other in years. The baby, now fully settled in everyone’s arms, became the joyful thread weaving the community together.
PARATHOSI is a ministry of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Direct Archdiocesan District. It gives our youth the ability to come together in Orthodox fellowship and display our Hellenic heritage and pride. I photographed this celebration of Hellenic Heritage & Dance. These are just a few images from a total set of 5,000 images.
I photographed the Greek Orthodox Baptism of Athanasios at the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange, CT. I love capturing candid moments of a baptism.
When I photograph a baptism, I prefer using multiple cameras with prime lenses. At this particular event I chose to work with 3 camera bodies and a 35mm 1.4, a 50mm 1.8, a 100mm 1.4 and a 200mm f/2 lens.
Baptisms are deeply emotional and spiritual ceremonies filled with meaningful moments between families, friends, and the child being baptized. Capturing candid moments at such an event requires a mix of technical skills, observation, and sensitivity.
I understand the sequence of the baptismal rite and can anticipate key moments.
I use a discreet approach. I avoid standing between the family and the ceremony or obstructing the view for guests. I dress appropriately and move quietly to avoid drawing attention. As I want to stay in the background, I use a telephoto lens to capture intimate moments from a distance without intruding.
It is always a pleasure capturing candid moments of a baptism.
A typical question I have from prospective clients is how I photograph the dances on a wedding day.
The dances at a wedding—the couple’s first dance, parent dances, and the party on the dance floor—are filled with emotion, movement, and energy. Capturing these moments effectively requires preparation, creativity, and attention to detail.
Preparation Ahead of Time
Knowing the Schedule: I confirm the timing and sequence of dances with the couple or planner so I am ready for each key moment.
Scouting the Venue: I check the lighting conditions and space around the dance floor during my pre-event walkthrough.
Coordinating with the DJ/Band: I understand the music transitions, any lighting effects (like spotlights or strobes), and when moments like dips or spins might occur.
Gear and Settings
Lenses: I prefer to use prime lenses with an 1.2 or 1.4 aperture. Depending on the size of the dance floor I may bring the Canon 200mm f/2 lens which allows me to isolate the subject and emphasize the feelings.
Lighting: I avoid using external lights as I aim to capture the ambience and mood of the reception. I use off-camera flash or bounce flash to evenly illuminate subjects without harsh shadows, if the DJ dims the lights.
Capturing the Energy of the Dance Floor
Showing the Crowd: I photograph groups of guests dancing, laughing, and celebrating together.
Using Wide Angles: A wide-angle lens can capture the full energy of the dance floor, especially when it’s packed.
Staying Ready for Spontaneous Moments
I watch for unexpected interactions, like kids joining the dance floor, couples dancing together, or hilarious moves by friends.
By combining technical skills with creative flair, I capture the energy, emotion, and elegance of the dances, providing the couple with memories they’ll treasure forever. How I photograph the dances on a wedding day shows my keen interest in capturing authentic moments. You may view additional images from this wedding on my website. My blog page is www.yannisphotography.com.
As a Greek Orthodox, I fully understand the importance of the baptism for a person’s life. For this reason, my photographic perspective of a Greek Orthodox Christening is characterized by great respect and unobtrusive coverage. I would like to give a few photo examples which illustrate my work and approach.
Before the ceremony
I arrive at the church 30-45 minutes before the start of the baptism. If I have not photographed an event at the church in the past, I allocate some time in understanding the direction of natural light. I also make the final selection of prime lenses that I will use during the event. Apart from my main lenses, a 50mm 1.2, a 100mm 1.4 and a 200mm f/2, I sometimes need to use a 20mm 1.4 or a 16mm 1.8 to show the architectural beauty of the church. I have extensive experience as an architectural church photographer. You may view my portfolio by clicking this link: Yannis architectural portfolio
At this particular Christening ceremony I decided to use three camera bodies with a 20mm 1.8, a 50mm 1.2, a 100mm 1.4 and a 200mm f/2 lens. As the family and the guests are waiting for the beginning of the ceremony, I walk around them aiming to capture authentic moments. I try to show their feelings and isolate the subject through the use of wide aperture or the direction of natural light. Having a 200mm f/2 lens is highly convenient as it allows me to capture emotions from a distance even in the dark environment of the Narthex of the church.
The renunciation and the acceptance
The first part of a Greek Orthodox Christening is the renunciation and the acceptance. The person being baptized will be with the Godparent (Nouno or Nouna in Greek) as he/she stands in the Narthex of the church. The prayer is followed by three Exorcisms and yet another prayer, the prayer of acceptance, at the end of which the Priest asks God to drive out and banish from the person to be baptized, any and every evil and impure spirit. The Godparent, will then be asked to face west and renounce Satan and all his works. Then the Godparent, will face east again and affirmatively answer the Priest who will ask him/her (three times) if he/she has pledged his allegiance to Christ. After doing so, the Godparent will recite the Creed, the Symbol of Faith (‘To Pistevo’ in Greek).
I walk around the Narthex of the church in order to capture reactions and gestures from the most flattering or interesting perspective. I consider myself a storyteller with images and the story includes other moments, such as the reaction of the mother, the grandmother capturing video, the Presvytera and aunt of the baby cherishing the moment from a distance. I photograph all these moments using only available light.
My photographic perspective of a Greek Orthodox Christening aims to differentiate my work and create works of art.
Photographing a Christmas Gala at the prestigious Harvard Club of NYC is an exciting opportunity to capture a blend of holiday cheer and classic elegance. The Harvard Club’s iconic wood-paneled interiors, high ceilings, and historic decor provide a rich backdrop.
I took advantage of the venue’s warm, atmospheric lighting to create rich, cozy images. We set up a small corner for posed group photos. It was necessary to use a soft lighting and a clean backdrop to complement the gala’s elegance. I also took natural portraits by capturing people mid-conversation or sharing a laugh.
I captured the atmosphere by taking wide shots showcasing the venue’s decor, including holiday-themed centerpieces, lighting, and festive elements like the Christmas tree. In addition I included detail shots of ornaments, table settings, invitations, and event signage. Some of my favorite moments were the following:
a) Guests arriving and mingling during the cocktail hour
b) Group shots of attendees, especially formal portraits of VIPs and hosts
c)Speeches, toasts, or performances
d) Guests interacting, laughing, and enjoying the holiday festivities
e)Dance floor action and candid moments during dinner or entertainment
These are a few images from last year’s celebration.
By combining technical skill with an eye for storytelling, I am able to create a stunning visual record of the gala that captures the festive spirit and sophistication of the Harvard Club’s Christmas celebration.
Next week I will post a few images from this year’s Christmas Gala at the Harvard Club of New York.
Photographing Camp Saint Paul was a great experience. Camp Saint Paul is located on the shore of beautiful Bantam Lake in Litchfield, Connecticut. The site offers the peacefulness and tranquility of nature. It is a full service facility equipped with everything from a vibrant waterfront to a warm sense of hospitality.
I visited camp St. Paul to document the visit of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidoforos of America. All campers greeted enthusiastically His Eminence.
I used a number of prime lenses. My favorite lenses were the Zeiss Otus 100mm 1.4, the Canon 35mm 1.4 L II and the Canon 200mm f2 L IS.
Photographing Camp Saint Paul was a great pleasure as I had the opportunity to understand the great role of the community.
