Insights · Baptism
A baptism day doesn’t start at the church. It starts at home, with the baby in familiar surroundings, the baptism clothes laid out and the family getting ready.
In this article you will find why it is worth starting the photographs at home, what we photograph there, how to get the room and the baby ready, and what to have packed for the church. For the photography of the whole day, see our baptism photography guide.
Contents (7)
Why the photos at home matter
The photos at the church show the ceremony. The photos at home show your family. The main benefits:
- Your own space. At home the baby and the family are somewhere familiar, and the photos come out more natural.
- Comfort. Babies are more at ease somewhere they know, without the upheaval of a new place.
- A calm start. Before the crowd and noise of the church, home gives the baby a little peace.
- Flexibility. You decide on the setting, and you can bring favourite things and corners of the house into the pictures.
- Everyday life. The photos show where your baby lived and what their days looked like at that age.
- Time for family photos. At the church the focus is mostly on the baby; at home there is time for pictures with parents, siblings, grandparents and godparents.
- A more personal album. The photos taken just before the baptism are often the ones families come back to for years.
What we photograph at home
At home we start with the details, before everything disappears into bags and boxes: the baptism clothes and the little shoes, the oil set with its bottle, cloths and soap, the cross the baby will wear, the baptism candle and the small favours for the guests (the martyrika). Leave them all in one place so they are easy to find.
Then we photograph the people: the baby in mum’s and dad’s arms, brothers and sisters, grandparents, and the godmother or godfather if they come to the house. There is no need for posing. The best pictures are usually the simplest ones: a cuddle, a laugh, the baby looking around the room.
Getting the room and the light ready
Choose a room with a big window, usually the living room or the nursery. Natural window light is the most flattering light for babies: soft and without harsh shadows. Open the curtains and, if you can, switch off the ceiling lights, because mixing different kinds of light throws off skin tones.
Clear away anything you would rather not see in the photos: shopping bags, chargers, clothes on the chairs. The house doesn’t need to look like a magazine, just a little open space around the spot where you will sit with the baby. A bed with light-coloured sheets or a sofa by the window is often all it takes.
Naps and feeds before you leave
A baby who has slept and eaten copes with the day far better. If you can, plan the morning around their routine: let them nap as they normally would, and feed them shortly before you leave for the church so they aren’t hungry during the service.
Dress the baby at home in simple, comfortable clothes that come off easily. The baptism clothes go on after the font, at the church. If the baby is asleep when the photographer arrives, don’t wake them: we start with the details and the family, and photograph the baby once they are awake. A baby asleep in mum’s arms makes a lovely picture anyway.
Who should be at home
The fewer people, the calmer it is. Parents, siblings and perhaps grandparents or godparents are usually plenty. A full house means noise and lots of hands reaching for the baby, which is exactly what you want to avoid before the church. You will see everyone else there.
If mum is getting ready at the same time, ask someone else to hold the baby. For outfit ideas, see what the mother wears to a baptism.
What to take to the church
Before you leave, check that you have the essentials. The complete list, including paperwork, what the godparent brings and the reception, is in our baptism checklist. For the morning at home, keep these in mind:
- The baptism clothes, the oil set, the cross and the candle, if the godparent isn’t bringing them.
- A changing bag: nappies, wipes, a spare outfit and a small blanket.
- Milk or whatever you need for a feed.
- A favourite toy or the baby’s dummy.
- Water and a small snack for older siblings.
Baby baptism: frequently asked questions about the morning at home
Should we cut the baby’s hair before the baptism?
No. During the service the priest cuts a few locks of the baby’s hair in the shape of a cross; this is the tonsure. Many families also have the custom of not cutting a baby’s hair before the baptism. If you are unsure, ask the priest.
Does the baby wear the baptism clothes at home?
Usually not. At home the baby wears simple clothes, and the baptism outfit goes on at the church, after the font. At home we photograph it laid out.
What if the baby is asleep when the photographer arrives?
We let them sleep. We start with the details and the family, and photograph the baby once they wake up.
Who should be at home before the baptism?
Parents, siblings and, if you like, grandparents or godparents. The fewer people, the calmer the baby.
Does the house need decorating?
No. A bright room with a little space is enough. The photos show your home as it is, and that is what makes them personal.
Planning your baby’s baptism?
Tell us the date and the church. We will plan the day together, from home to the reception.
Photographs: Dimitris Stergiou and the studio team