new type of photo business - DPChallenge Forums

06/27/2005 12:13:03 PM · #1

Where I come from (Lithuania) we always had funeral photos, generally groups of relatives around the casket, the procession, and the funeral itself, and then later, the headstone. Now that I'm in the States I don't see that happening.

Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II for Canon

06/18/2005 06:09:17 AM · #2

Originally posted by Gaia:

I haven't taken photos at a funeral, but I have made several "remembrance" slide shows to be played at the funeral. Only problem is the very short notice to scan a bunch of pictures then present them in a program like Pinnacle. Funeral home must have TV and DVD or VHS player. I've gotten many compliments.

For those looking for the big bucks on this, many people then want copies of the DVD (which is the easiest part of the process!)

The DVD part is easy and I could do it right on the spot if needed via laptop. The only down side is that it wouldn't be printed or look appealing because it would just be a disk. Maybe a pre-printed disk with photo or something on it.

Gaia

Canon EOS-30D

06/17/2005 03:43:02 PM · #3

06/16/2005 03:42:06 AM · #4

Originally posted by Tom2898:

I'm in Toronto Canada.

I´m right next door in Rochester, NY [/quote]

Then come to Toronto and we'll start shooting dead people. j/k

I will let everybody know how I make out in this venture.

Message edited by author 2005-06-16 03:42:33.

Tom

06/15/2005 08:59:47 AM · #5

I'm in Toronto Canada. [/quote]

I´m right next door in Rochester, NY

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

06/15/2005 02:36:43 AM · #6

Originally posted by TooCool:

Have ya ever seen the movie The Others?

Yes, what a great movie.

TooCool

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

06/15/2005 01:28:05 AM · #7

Have ya ever seen the movie The Others?

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

06/15/2005 01:04:09 AM · #8

One good thing about it from a photographer's pov -- you wouldn't have to worry about motion blur from the subject.

Like someone else said, this would probably be okay if the family requested it, but I, personally, am too weirded out at funerals anyway. Don't think I could take pictures. (And I have been to a lot of funerals where I had no idea who anyone was -- my husband, and some members of his family, get asked to sing at funerals alot).

06/15/2005 12:46:48 AM · #9

Originally posted by marksimms:

Originally posted by Tom2898:
When the family goes in to plan the funeral with the director, they could tell him what options of photography they want. Ex: Before everyone gets there, the speakers, carrying the casket, or some other options. Where do you live? I want to try this too. You could also try to go to alot of funeral houses so you would always have business.

There wouldn't be much money in it, its would be a dead end job.. I thankya.

The funeral industry is a billion dollar industry so I can't see it not paying.

06/15/2005 12:45:51 AM · #10

Originally posted by Tom2898:

When the family goes in to plan the funeral with the director, they could tell him what options of photography they want. Ex: Before everyone gets there, the speakers, carrying the casket, or some other options. Where do you live? I want to try this too. You could also try to go to alot of funeral houses so you would always have business.

I'm in Toronto Canada.

Tom

Olympus M.Zuiko ED 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 II

06/14/2005 06:36:10 PM · #11

There was a discussion just like this on another site in 2000. Look here - //www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=000u2o
Tom

Rgarcia

Olympus OM-D E-M1

06/14/2005 04:43:04 PM · #12

Let´s remember that portraiture was born from the need to remember the ones that were gone, and it's first manifestation were burial masks. It's only logical that photography in memorial services can be an important and lucrative business.

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/14/2005 03:36:10 PM · #13

Originally posted by Tom2898:

There wouldn't be much money in it, its would be a dead end job.. I thankya.

Tom

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/14/2005 03:16:41 PM · #14

Prof_Fate

06/14/2005 09:53:31 AM · #15

Funeral photography, or at least portraiture was popular 100 years ago. Not sure why it died out (sorry for pun, but i had to)

This thread on fredmiranda.com has pics a phtog took at a funeral - WOW, it can be done well and with taste.

the idea crossed my mind to approach funeral homes with the offer to record their work, for them or the family. Kinda creepy though maybe.

Nelzie

Canon EOS-30D

06/14/2005 08:13:44 AM · #16

More then a few people/families, find it extremely tacky to photograph the deceased. Personally, I agree that it is extremely tacky and would rather remember the deceased in their most recent "live" photo wherein you see life in the deceased's eyes/face.

Honestly, I wouldn't advertise this aspect of your business. However, there is nothing wrong with advertising that you will photograph most any occasion, inquiries welcome.

That way, you open your business up to the possibility of having tacky (my opinion) people ask you to photograph the deceased at the next funeral without freaking out grieving families that one would be so 'callous' as to offer such services.

This is a tricky venture you are thinking about.

Message edited by author 2005-06-14 08:15:32.

colda

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/14/2005 08:13:23 AM · #17

FWIW - don't forget that you can make 'real fun' from 'funeral' ;)

Arcanist

Nikon D810

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

06/14/2005 08:04:19 AM · #18

My friend Bill and his family greatly appreciated the images that we got at the memorial service for his wife Sheila. During the service, they were too distracted to really see and remember everything that was so special about the remembrance. Later he said that the album was a wonderful gift.

Davies Memorial Service

Message edited by author 2005-06-14 08:04:33.

KiwiChris

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

06/14/2005 07:47:49 AM · #19

Never taken photos of the casket etc, but I did take photos at a couple of funerals a few years back...

In one case the extended family couldn't make it to the funeral, so they wanted pics of the flowers, and people speaking at the service.. This was very awkward, as many people attending didn't know I was 'supposed' to be there... I got some very dirty looks, and my camera wasn't all that quiet (OM4) so it attracted a bit of attention.

The other one was the opposite situation, where a large extended family had gathered for a funeral, and they wanted photos of the family all together.. Much better situation be in, as they had asked people to 'dress happy' for the photos. Made the funeral seem a lot 'lighter' as well..

Cheers, Me.

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/14/2005 07:16:08 AM · #20

But thats the best part is that I wouldn't be shooting the actual service but before it is open to the family/public and work only in coordination with the funeral director. He would have to be the "sales rep." so to speak and would naturally take a commissionfrom it. Kinda like greasing the palm of the godfather so to speak. You could shoot the service but all that would be as an option. I have a price list I am working out and will post it when I'm done. I do appreciate all the feedback tho and thanks for all your help.

edit: man does my spelling suck.

Message edited by author 2005-06-14 07:16:29.

SJCarter

Canon EOS-7D

06/13/2005 12:49:03 PM · #21

This is a really interesting and enlightening thread. I had never thought about photographs of funerals, memorial services, etc., but you have a point about the desire of many (not all) people to have such mementos. As I live in a pretty rural area (backwoods some might say!), I know the funeral director very well and will probably ask him about it too. I've worked in surgical pathology & autopsy (when I was pre-med), so I'm not weirded out by bodies or body parts. Of course, I think that when done tastefully, shots of this ilk could really add a lot to people's loved one's memories...

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

06/13/2005 12:39:48 PM · #22

It's a viable niche business, and not a new one for that matter. There actually ARE people who pursue this business and make money at it. How many, I don't know; but they exist. Working with the funeral director would be the logical way to do it.

Kind of hard to imagine advertising your services in the church bulletin...

Robt.

Matthew

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

06/13/2005 12:13:49 PM · #23

I think that widows and widowers so tend to keep mementoes of the funeral (cards, messages etc) and a few photos are not out of place. However, I think that most people are not in the mood to be photographed.

I took some photos for my uncle at my aunt's funeral, recently. I took photos only of the flowers and the cards: pictures of positive symbols of support. I have other family members who have suffered the loss of their spouse and had no recollection of much that went on at the funeral, and in particular the flowers that are provided by way of support. There is some comfort for the deceased in seeing photos of things like the flowers, which are temporary and they may otherwise not remember.

I would hesitate to take photos of much more than that. The whole matter would have to be dealt with very sensitively: I think that it would probably be best organised through a funeral directors. Options on what should and should not be photographed would have to be confirmed by the widow or widower in advance, and care taken not to make other attendees think that you are photographing them unless asked to do so. If taking photographs of mourners, I can see no reason to take anything other than a candid group shots: no-one will want a portrait out of it.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/13/2005 11:39:10 AM · #24

Originally posted by notonline:

you gotta remember the first 3 letters of funeral are "fun".

LOL! Another one for my siggy. :P

Personally I think it's fine if arranged or asked for by the closest family members in advance. As mentioned, you could arrange a deal with the funeral director - he should be asking the family when they make the arrangments if they want a photographer or videographer and should explain to them the benefits (some mentioned in this thread) and if they choose to have one, the family member making the arrangements should make sure the attendees know that the photographer is there at the request of the family.

Good luck!

zerocusa

Canon EOS-1D Mark II