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09/26/2008 12:02:38 AM · #1 |
| I just took a booking to shoot a funeral parlour.......completely spooky, and I had to button my mouth and not say 'would you like the grim reaper in the background?".......anyway, they want creative photos of the hearse, the staff, a mock funeral setting etc. I think I have an idea of what I'll do, but if anyone else has been so macabre as to do a funeral company shoot would you like to share your shots and help inspire me? |
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09/26/2008 12:05:45 AM · #2 |
| I would die for a gig like that! :) |
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09/26/2008 12:14:57 AM · #3 |
You started this thread 2 minutes after my Aunt's funeral started in Melbourne. That's kind of spooky.
Obviously, I can't be there, but she will be sorely missed. She died fifteen days after turning 89. A wonderful, creative (and some say, eccentric) woman.
As for the shooting gig, don't think of it as macabre or anything like that. It's just a business, after all. |
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09/26/2008 12:23:29 AM · #4 |
David I'm so sorry about your Aunt, and that this thread started at such a spooky time. I had a nasty feeling that might happen.....but with a world full of photographers we're bound to have spooky coincidences happen.
Actually it was only yesterday that I went to the cemetary to take some photos (for the abstract emotion challenge..), but found that when I brought them home I couldn't deal with it all, so deleted them. I guess my punishment for being so sensitive and/or superstitious is that now I have to do the whole deal!
But you're right, its business, I'm doing it regardless - still need inspiration though if anyone has it!
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09/26/2008 12:38:37 AM · #5 |
I would suggest black and whites. They seems to have a timeless quality about them and a dignified air about them, especially for something like this.
In fact, I can not think of anything that should be shot in colour. Maybe, just maybe a flower or two?? |
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09/26/2008 02:01:26 AM · #6 |
What are they hoping to do with the photos? If this is for promotional purposes then you will want to keep thing fairly traditional with a focus on the "product" they are trying to sell, which I would think would run along several lines, First the customer service and support aspect, thus images showing friendly competent and knowledgeable staff assisting people in there time of need, their casket selection area(if they have one), get a group shot of the staff from the top of the stairway in the grand foyer or from a ladder of them in front of the hearse(or hearses), get some shots of the behind the scenes like them helping a "customer" pick out a casket and funeral arrangements(this is one of the biggest parts of their business that few people ever see) Etc, next you want to focus on the parlor itself, picking out their best parlor and doing it up with all the bells and whistles(Flowers candles whatever they recommend)Photo graph the exterior of the building, their sign, any gardens aro sitting areas and any other special facility spaces they may have(childrens rooms, large halls, chappels, tents whatever they have that is special or different) Some close ups of the calling hours announcements, the visitor book, a display of personal items etc. Last you have the Hearse and any family cars(like a limo but matching the hearse) that they might have, a typical group shots of the entire fleet(if they have more than one vehicle) additionally low angle profile shots(Where the Front and some of the side of the car are visible) taken with a longer lens will give a strong feeling to the vehicle, I would avoid super low angle shots or shots from the rear as they do not suit the subject matter. Remember this is a Grand, Stately and Proud vehicle, not a sports car, Give it a sense of scale, and dignity in your shot selection.
Contrary to other advice I would use Color for all your shots, I would try to find ways to bring color into the images(a flower in a suit lapel, color on the walls, a bouquet or flowers in the landscaping. You do not want people to get the feeling of death and darkness, you want feelings of warmth and comfort and solemnity. Try to catch people smiling warmly and looking natural, this is the sort of impression that people want in a funeral director, not a cold, ghoulish, unsmiling person in a dark, drab and dreary old house(which is what Black and white will do with this as the subject matter).
If they are looking for a lighter side set of photos(say for a history or something) then you could get creative and get some shots from say underneath the casket as it is being loaded in the Hearse or from inside the hearse as they are loading or unloading(say with the family lined up on either side as the casket is borne away)
Just make sure you think carefully about the way your client wants to use the images, Funeral parlors are a unique sort of business that really have to rely on a sense of history, tradition and formality without resorting to pomp or flashiness While at the same time providing warmth comfort and customer service during difficult times. Perhaps some solid words that fit would be Serious, Caring, Focused, Professional, Timeless or Solemness. Once you know what the message the owner wants to send, then use your creativity to bring that message out in the photos you take.
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09/26/2008 02:29:18 AM · #7 |
I think funerals are fascinating and would love to feel free to photograph them.
The emotion is so palpable - better than a wedding for me!
Anyhoo - I just have one image ...
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09/26/2008 06:08:17 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by jhomrighaus:
What are they hoping to do with the photos? If this is for promotional purposes then you will want to keep thing fairly traditional with a focus on the "product" they are trying to sell, which I would think would run along several lines, First the customer service and support aspect, thus images showing friendly competent and knowledgeable staff assisting people in there time of need, their casket selection area(if they have one), get a group shot of the staff from the top of the stairway in the grand foyer or from a ladder of them in front of the hearse(or hearses), get some shots of the behind the scenes like them helping a "customer" pick out a casket and funeral arrangements(this is one of the biggest parts of their business that few people ever see) Etc, next you want to focus on the parlor itself, picking out their best parlor and doing it up with all the bells and whistles(Flowers candles whatever they recommend)Photo graph the exterior of the building, their sign, any gardens aro sitting areas and any other special facility spaces they may have(childrens rooms, large halls, chappels, tents whatever they have that is special or different) Some close ups of the calling hours announcements, the visitor book, a display of personal items etc. Last you have the Hearse and any family cars(like a limo but matching the hearse) that they might have, a typical group shots of the entire fleet(if they have more than one vehicle) additionally low angle profile shots(Where the Front and some of the side of the car are visible) taken with a longer lens will give a strong feeling to the vehicle, I would avoid super low angle shots or shots from the rear as they do not suit the subject matter. Remember this is a Grand, Stately and Proud vehicle, not a sports car, Give it a sense of scale, and dignity in your shot selection.
Contrary to other advice I would use Color for all your shots, I would try to find ways to bring color into the images(a flower in a suit lapel, color on the walls, a bouquet or flowers in the landscaping. You do not want people to get the feeling of death and darkness, you want feelings of warmth and comfort and solemnity. Try to catch people smiling warmly and looking natural, this is the sort of impression that people want in a funeral director, not a cold, ghoulish, unsmiling person in a dark, drab and dreary old house(which is what Black and white will do with this as the subject matter).
If they are looking for a lighter side set of photos(say for a history or something) then you could get creative and get some shots from say underneath the casket as it is being loaded in the Hearse or from inside the hearse as they are loading or unloading(say with the family lined up on either side as the casket is borne away)
Just make sure you think carefully about the way your client wants to use the images, Funeral parlors are a unique sort of business that really have to rely on a sense of history, tradition and formality without resorting to pomp or flashiness While at the same time providing warmth comfort and customer service during difficult times. Perhaps some solid words that fit would be Serious, Caring, Focused, Professional, Timeless or Solemness. Once you know what the message the owner wants to send, then use your creativity to bring that message out in the photos you take. |
Your advice is all very good, thank you for taking so much time and thought over it.
They're asking for shots for their website, and want to convey a less traditional approach (ie no grim reaper I guess), with an emphasis on friendliness. Luckily the crematorium is set in beautiful grounds with huge trees, so if I shoot late in the afternoon I'll get some nice perspective. I'll also do plenty of close ups of flowers on coffin, cups of tea, helping hands, etc etc. I had a look at a few funeral parlour websites - I'm completely creeped out now, I find the whole thing a bit much. On an artistic side the websites I've seen are pretty hopeless, so maybe they'll get people queueing up at the door to be buried by them......oh dear...
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09/26/2008 07:11:57 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
I would die for a gig like that! :) |
Funeral photography is a dead end job.. |
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09/26/2008 08:24:02 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by Simms:
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
I would die for a gig like that! :) |
Funeral photography is a dead end job.. |
No complaints from the model though. ;] |
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09/26/2008 09:33:28 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by jettyimages:
Your advice is all very good, thank you for taking so much time and thought over it.
They're asking for shots for their website, and want to convey a less traditional approach (ie no grim reaper I guess), with an emphasis on friendliness. Luckily the crematorium is set in beautiful grounds with huge trees, so if I shoot late in the afternoon I'll get some nice perspective. I'll also do plenty of close ups of flowers on coffin, cups of tea, helping hands, etc etc. I had a look at a few funeral parlour websites - I'm completely creeped out now, I find the whole thing a bit much. On an artistic side the websites I've seen are pretty hopeless, so maybe they'll get people queueing up at the door to be buried by them......oh dear... |
Just be careful of the attitude you bring in the door.
I think you have gotten the wrong image of what these people do for a living. Morgues are creepy and morbid. Funeral homes or funeral parlors are actually fairly warm and comforting places. Many funerals are wonderfully warm and friendly, bringing families and friends together to remember their lost loved one or old friend. Of course there are tragedies and horrific events but on the whole these make up a small percentage of the business for these sorts of companies. There are many many calling hours that are filled with laughter and love and stories, I suspect many more than are filled with tears and wailing and grief, and this seems aligned with the message your customer is trying to send with their new photos. You need to walk in the door without notions of what you think about their business and instead with a focused, neutral or even better, positive view of what they do and about the wonderful and caring service that they provide to the community(keep in mind also that Funeral Parlors are normally some of the oldest most respected companies in any given community, and many times are family owned and operated, these people really really care about what they do and have been doing it for generations). It might be really good for you to go down before the shooting day and spend a few hours with the staff and see the operation, learn more about what and how they do what they do, that way on shooting day you will have had tome to absorb and consider everything and then have some well formed ideas on what you want to shoot.
Your attitude carries forward into your pictures so make sure that it is aligned with what they need.
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09/26/2008 09:50:59 AM · #12 |
I'm thinking some soft focus in vignetting should be in there someplace on some of the photos. If they are non-traditional, perhaps color would work also. A warmer softer image can be had with color. Though I think I would not go with overly saturated images.
Funerals are hard times. Hard edged photos only remind the viewer of the harshness of the situation. |
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09/26/2008 10:05:13 AM · #13 |
| I didn't realize it was for promotion. go with colour, warmth soft focus on some etc |
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09/26/2008 10:21:05 AM · #14 |
I took these of an actual funeral if that helps?
  
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09/26/2008 10:29:43 PM · #15 |
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09/30/2008 11:29:01 PM · #16 |
| Some of the photos can be shot and edited to be "High grain" style. |
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