 Caroline M. Harris |
Funeral Photography I have been asked to take photographs at my friends son's funeral. I am a little nervous about it. Has anyone had experience? Can you give me some tips. He committed suicide which makes it more tragic. Do you capture the people at the service in their grief? I thought mayby just the casket being carried, the pall bearers, the flowers. Anything else?
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W. |
Hi Caroline, you must be in the USA. You may have been asked to take photos, but if I saw a photog at a funeral I attended, I would be out of there like lightning! It's probably a cultural thing.
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Raymond H. Kemp |
Has nothing to do with being in the USA. High profile funerals are frequently covered by the media but always outside. Usually casket carring to and from the hearse, some descrete images of family, etc. Always done from a respectable distance without the appearance of intrusion. If you don't have the equipment to shoot from a distance then don't do the assignment. Ray
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W. |
"Has nothing to do with being in the USA." It does, Ray. In most western countries photographing a funeral is a definite no-no. It is considered to be extremely disrespectful. Indeed "high profile funerals" are (sadly) different. But there is nothing whatsoever in Caroline's post indicating this is about a head of state, a pop star, or a mob don...!
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
I've done that before. Whether it's an American thing I don't know. Seen other funerals covered before from other countries, but that's been because it was somebody that was considered news worthy. And only part of the ceremony would be covered. You do have to keep your distance. And any moving around should be done in the back or off to the side. You frame and pick your pictures like you do other ceremonies. Show things that show a relationship. Shoot down the row of seats that has the imediate family. Shoot a long shot of one of the family members with the casket or a portrait in the foreground and background(telephoto compression). Tell a story. You can get pictures of somebody expressing grief, but keep in mind that not everyone at the funeral may know that the family has asked you to take pictures. Cemeteries are landscape, so use that. There'll be statues there, and trees. Funerals are really for the living. And the term laying to rest signifies a peaceful feeling. So a picture at the cemetery that conveys that will be something that the family would like.
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Susan Fox |
Hi Caroline, Since the family asked then do take photos, but please be respectful of others at the funeral. They may not want their grief being photographed. My cousin (who fancies herself a photographer) took it up herself to bring a camera to my grandfather's wake at the funeral home and the actual funeral, including the viewing at the church. I was highly offended. No one asked her to take photos. And I certainly didn't appreciate photos taken of me crying and grieving. She even photographed people consoling my Grandmother. It was very distracting and not appropriate. At one point her flash went off and people turned to stare. So as you compose your shots and take the photos, please be aware of not imposing on others. And be as non-intrusive as possible.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Yeah, no flash.
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Debby A. Tabb |
Caroline, I agree no flash, and just do simple, low profile. There are really mixed emotions with this, but there is a beautiful shot of my grandfathers funral in my gallery that changed my mind on the whole issue. My daughter( Sargent Jillian F. Tabb) was the only Child,Grandchild or Great Grandchild to follow my Grandfather into the Army. She was so Proud when the Master Sargent asked her to serve the Flag at her Great Grand Fathers Funeral.( Master Sargent Edward F, Berault,WWII) and pictures taken there are some of our most treasured. It is not nessisary nor usually intended that you photograph the body lieing in state. Ususally they just want documentation of the farewell. I hope this adds some help, Debby Tabb
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Debby A. Tabb |
This gave everyone there something of my Grandfather to hold on to as they said goodby. Just a thought.
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