| Author | Thread |
|
|
10/13/2008 09:26:42 PM · #1 |
| I was just offered such a gig for this saturday... I've actually never been to a funeral, so is there anything I should be aware of? |
|
|
|
10/13/2008 09:36:35 PM · #2 |
|
|
|
10/13/2008 09:50:27 PM · #3 |
I would imagine that SOME people are against having someone there taking photos. If it was me, I'd try to stay as discreet as possible, paparazzi style from a distance whenever I can.
I wish you luck, hopefully everyone will be understanding. |
|
|
|
10/13/2008 10:02:36 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by peterish:
I was just offered such a gig for this saturday... I've actually never been to a funeral, so is there anything I should be aware of? |
That's the strangest thing I've heard of in a long time... I've never been to a funeral where they requested a photographer be in attendance.. Let us know how this one turns out.. :-) |
|
|
|
10/13/2008 10:04:49 PM · #5 |
I know exactly what you're going through - I just had to do an entire shoot for a funeral parlour, complete with coffin, flowers, crematorium etc. At the end of the shoot I was left there to do some shots of the grounds, and heard this really weird noise emanating from the back of the crematorium. 10 guesses what that was (there was a funeral there shortly before my shoot). As I realised that it was just me, a dead guy burning in his coffin, and all the other dead guys, I wondered what on earth I've chosen this career for!
But on serious matters, I would imagine they would want a general documentation of who turned up to their loved one's funeral. Its not such a strange idea really, it gives them something concrete to remember, especially if there were lots of people serenading the man/woman out. I wouldn't be inclined to go close to anyone, that could be really offensive. Take a 200m or more lens and be a fly on the wall, then maybe go close up to the flowers on the coffin, the program in someone's hand, the hearse, and maybe some more relaxing shots of the cemetary. I doubt you'll be asked to do group portraits.....
Good luck with the shoot, it can end up being quite a cathartic and good learning experience, especially if you haven't been to a funeral and/or are afraid of the concept. I certainly was! |
|
|
|
10/13/2008 10:31:56 PM · #6 |
| Keep in mind that funerals are also a time when people are often willing to travel distances to pay their respects and goodbyes to the deceased. Some of these people may not have seen each other for a long time and may also be interested in having group shots/candids taken. I've heard of more and more military families requesting funeral photography services as well. |
|
|
|
10/13/2008 10:32:22 PM · #7 |
It used to be rather common for people to take photos at funerals. I can remember seeing quite a few old pictures of dead people at their funerals -- apparently it didn't used to be such a weird thing.
I'm rather glad that we haven't taken photos at our family funerals. It seems like there have been a few times where my brother and I wound up laughing rather inappropriately, and couldn't stop. I guess you could say we put the fun in funeral... |
|
|
|
10/13/2008 10:35:20 PM · #8 |
| I would have loved to have a photographer at my aunt's funeral. I took shots of family that hadn't been all together in over 20 years and probably never will be again, and all of them wanted copies. I got home and they were all somehow corrupted. |
|
|
|
10/13/2008 10:36:31 PM · #9 |
our family funerals have been one of the few times we all get together ..
so we take pictures .. but i'll tell you take a tripod to the cemetary if they want the interment as well
(gravestones arn't very level ;)
of course if you follow the shoot at a distance thought - it may look odd at a cemetary as well ;)
|
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 08/09/2025 02:37:39 AM EDT.
