Insights · A guide to baptism
A baptism lasts only a few hours, but it is your child's first big day. Much of it they won't remember, and the photos and the film will be how they find out.
This guide walks through a baptism from the photographer's side, from getting ready at home to the reception, and shows what to plan so that nothing gets missed.
Contents (7)
“It is your child's day. I owe it to them to photograph it so that, when they grow up, I can tell them what their day was like.”
Dimitris Stergiou
Before the baptism: what to book in good time
Start with the church and the date. Baptisms are not held at certain times of year, usually Great Lent, 18 to 25 December, 5 and 6 January, 1 to 15 August, 29 August and 14 September. Practice varies, so confirm the date with your priest.
Once you have booked the church, talk to us about the plan for the day. A baptism has three parts: the home, the church and the reception. We plan them together, depending on the distances involved and what you want to remember.
- Ask the priest about photography and video. Rules differ from church to church. It helps if the priest knows in advance that a photographer and a videographer will be there.
- Choose a time that suits the baby. If you can, choose a time when your baby is usually rested and fed.
- Photography and video together. We can cover the baptism with both photography and video. Tell us from the start what you would like, so we can plan the day accordingly.
At home: where the story begins
We suggest starting at home, if the distances between locations allow it. The baby is in familiar surroundings, calm, with parents and siblings close by. We photograph the clothes, the candle, the little shoes and the cross in the light of your home, before they get packed into bags.
These are also the calmest photos of the day. Later, at the church and the reception, the pace picks up. Read more about preparing the baby at home.
At the church: the details before the ceremony
If possible, arrive at the church a little early. That way we can photograph the decorated font, the flowers, the oil cloths and the martyrika (witness favours) before the church fills with people. It's also a good moment for a few photos with the parents and the godparent at the entrance.
The font, the arrival, the oil and the cross: details that get missed if you arrive at the last minute.
The ceremony: moments that never happen again
The baptism service usually lasts thirty to forty minutes, depending on the church and the priest. The order may differ slightly from church to church, but the main moments are usually these:
- At the entrance. The godparent recites the renunciation and the Creed on the child's behalf.
- The water and the oil. The priest blesses the water in the font and the oil, and then the baby is anointed.
- The immersion. Three times in the font. The most moving moment of the day, and the quickest.
- The chrismation, the white clothes and the cross. The child is dressed in their new clothes.
- Around the font. Three circles with the candle, while “As many as have been baptised into Christ” is sung.
- The end. The blessings, the veneration, the martyrika and the first hugs.
During the ceremony we work discreetly, without stepping between the priest, the godparent and the child. The sanctuary is not a place for photographers, and where we stand in the church is always up to the priest.
A practical tip: decide in advance who will help dress the baby after the font, and have a towel and nappies ready. It all happens quickly, and you don't want to be hunting for things.
After the ceremony: photos with the family
As soon as the service ends, everyone wants to hold the child. That's when we take the family photos: parents, godparent, grandparents, siblings. If you tell us in advance which groups you want, we get through them quickly, before the child gets tired.
At the reception
At the reception, everyone finally relaxes. We photograph the decorated venue before the guests arrive, the sweets, the hugs and the children playing. We agree in advance how long we stay, depending on what you want to remember.
If you would like to write a wish for the child or the parents, see our christening wishes.
Frequently asked questions about baptism photography
How long does the baptism ceremony last?
Usually thirty to forty minutes, depending on the church and the priest.
Where does the photography start?
We suggest starting at home, with the baby getting ready, if the distances allow it. Then on to the church and the reception.
Do you also cover the baptism with video?
Yes. We can cover the baptism with photography, video or both.
Do you stay for the whole reception?
As long as we agree. We decide together beforehand how much of the reception we cover.
Is photography allowed inside the church?
Usually yes, but rules differ from church to church. Let the priest know in advance that there will be a photographer and a videographer.
On which days are baptisms not held?
Usually during Great Lent, from 18 to 25 December, on 5 and 6 January, from 1 to 15 August, on 29 August and on 14 September. Always confirm with your church.
Let's plan your child's day
Tell us the date, the church and where the reception will be. We will send you a proposal for photography, video or both.
See more of our work on our baptism photography page.
Photographs: Dimitris Stergiou and the studio team