Christening

keps

I've been asked by a friend of mine to take photos of a Christening

The christening is of twins (2 boys)


If there is any advice anyone can give me on the set up for this type of thing I would appreciate it- or if there is a good link that would be fine too!


Thanks

Brian

spinandscribble

I started a thread on this a few months ago, give it a search

.Longshanks.

I was at my nieces last week, but it was slightly different because she is only 6 weeks old (i.e. she isn't able to run about the place )

I used a 30mm prime for the closer ones and a 85mm for further away shots. During the ceremony used a fast aperture and for any group shots after I used my flash with the camera in P mode (canon) for handiness.

Do you have a speedlight flash or similar? If so get your self a stofen diffuser to help soften the light

keps

I have a Nikon sB 400
do you think I need a diffuser?

.Longshanks.

keps wrote: »

I have a Nikon sB 400
do you think I need a diffuser?

You dont need it, but 'every little helps'. It'll soften the light to help minimize harsh shadows

keps

I am buying one on ebay as we speak - thanks:)

pixbyjohn

Also check with the priest/minister if he/she will allow photography during the ceremony. Some allow and some don't. Will the twins be the only kids being christened that day ?

keps

pixbyjohn wrote: »

Also check with the priest/minister if he/she will allow photography during the ceremony. Some allow and some don't. Will the twins be the only kids being christened that day ?

Oh God my head is starting to hurt

maybe it's the guinness i had earlier on this evening:eek:

keps

Is there a format like a wedding?

From what I've seen (i was a christening last year, the only other christening i was at before that was my own!) they are very fast paced. Priest takes the child and parents, does the quick dipping ritual. Baby cries because of how ridiculous it is. People converge in a small area for a group photo.

The one I was at, there were two families there (so two babies). Apparently they're usually kept quite small (though that may differ depending on the population surrounding the church you're going to).


If you are fortunate enough to have a flash gun and a fast telephoto you're laughing. Flash gun for the group shots (most likely direct flash, unless the church you're in has a low ceiling, but i reckon that's rare, so a diffuser of any kind, even a cheapo one, will help, just make sure its clear and not colour-tinted or you'll have white balance adjustments to make later).

If you're fortunate enough to have a fast telephoto, you could fire up the ISO and try to get photos of the baby as it gets slam-dunked into the water.

After that, the family will most likely want a group shot of the family/child together. I think that's where your job ends then. Should only take you 20-30 minutes and I'd be shocked if you have 5 different photographs at the end of it all.

Always take more than one posed photo (someone always blinks!) and shoot RAW so you can brighten or darken where necessary.

Cakes.

How long you have to take photos depends on the priest and how many there is being christened. At my nephews christening last year he was the only baby being christened as we asked the priest, who is a family friend to christen it. This priest poured the Holy water in the head for the ceremony and then did it again for pictures. He would do the official and then do it again for photos. so, it depends on the priest, and how many baby's are being christened.

keps

Isn't the chistening the one where the god parents get nominated?

I presume they need to get a look in somewhere too.

Ah yeah, you'll probably get a shot of the godparents with el baby too.

Try to find out if there's a necessary accessory for this kinda thing (for example, i think all kids getting confirmed or communion have to have a little bible with them? I'm not sure on that, but i see a lot of little bibles around the place, so i assume it's a requirement) and try to work this into your shots, perhaps.

I think, and i could be totally wrong, it's a blanket that's required or used at a christening. Think the baby is wrapped in it just before it goes swimming.


Alternatively, take the wedding stance and 'shoot the details'. Arrive at the house early and get shots of people preparing, a few stock-like images of the church, pews, little bath area that the children go into, detail on the childs dress, Wide angle shot of the church interior, get them standing outside on the way in/out and get a shot of everyone in front of the church etc. and try to get a few photos to put together a small album with 10-12 6x4 shots and try sell it to them?

I know it sounds hammy as hell to show up early for a feckin' christening, but I imagine this is the way photography will be heading, so no harm getting a head-start.

keps

It sounds pretty informal.

I was just afraid it was like a wedding - where you have to get all these boring photos of in laws and outlaws and cousins twice removed:)

tommycahir

There is usually a christening candle that needs to be lit by the god parents and held by them for a part of the ceremony so worth having a look at working that into a shot also.

keps

A sincere thanks to all who took the time to help out- it's very much appreciated - thanks

keps

Thank god thats over - today.

I don't think I'll ever get comfortable with flash photography


Liked this one after the cermony and heading home....


Thanks again to all who replied:)