| Author | Thread |
|
|
11/06/2008 09:52:54 PM · #1 |
| I am attending a funeral of a 19 year old girl in 1hour and I have just been asked by her father to take photos for them! When I asked what he would like he responded with "What ever you feel is appropriate". Please help me out with this. Has anyone ever done this before? |
|
|
|
11/06/2008 09:56:26 PM · #2 |
I have not, but he probably wants you to document the funeral, as opposed to getting nice set up shots. It is an important event in their lives. I would just take photos as if you were a journalist. Take photos of the family greeting family and friends. Take photos people speaking at the funeral. Take photos of the crowd (people who were able to come to the funeral).
I'm sure you will do fine. |
|
|
|
11/06/2008 09:58:27 PM · #3 |
I'd suggest making sure you find out who there may be that they rarely get to see, such as family from out-of-town, and get nice shots of them. I'd try not to intrude on anyone's grief, but afterwards, or at the reception if they have one, most people wouldn't mind.
Flower arrangements, any special memorial setups, etc. |
|
|
|
11/06/2008 09:59:43 PM · #4 |
Thanks jeger. I pretty much plan to take as few shots as I can while still covering everything. I don't want to get in the way of the service. I don't want to use flash either.
Thanks BeeCee.
Message edited by author 2008-11-06 22:00:39. |
|
|
|
11/06/2008 10:04:04 PM · #5 |
I took shots after my aunt's service of family that hadn't been together for 30 years and may never be again. Everyone involved wanted a copy but, unfortunately, the card was corrupted and I lost them all, and nobody else had taken any.
It may seem an unusual request, but it's as natural to want memories of this as of other important times.
I took this one of my daughter at a friend's viewing;
It's a poor shot, but it means a lot to her. |
|
|
|
11/06/2008 10:04:34 PM · #6 |
| I've had to do this just once for my sister-in-law (that was enough too). I took pictures of the flowers all around the room, her casket, and even her. I made arrangements with the funeral director in advance so he could keep the room clear of visitors while I did my work. It did not take long. I did not take pictures of the visitors and their grief. |
|
|
|
11/06/2008 10:38:02 PM · #7 |
I've done a funeral. It's a sad situation. What I did is show up early got plenty of shots before the family and friends arrived. Didn't take any while the ceremony was going on. At the grave site I was ask to do some family and friends together after it was all done. Something I prob. wouldn't do again. Too sad. Just stay low key during the ceremony.
Message edited by author 2008-11-06 23:25:38. |
|
|
|
11/06/2008 10:56:38 PM · #8 |
I've never heard of a photographer being asked to work a funeral. It does sound strange but I actually think it's a good thing, to document the day. People are often in a haze of grief and don't pay attention to anything around them, afterwards when they're thinking a little clearer, it'd maybe be helpful for them to see the photos.
I personally wouldn't take any photographs of people crying and falling apart, that's not a part of the service I think anyone needs to remember.
I hope you get on Ok Penny and I'm sorry for your loss of such a young girl.
|
|
|
|
11/06/2008 10:59:37 PM · #9 |
|
|
|
11/07/2008 04:40:45 AM · #10 |
Thanks everone for your thoughts.
The whole thing was extreemly sad and I cried through most of it. I managed to get shots inside the church ( we decorated with many butterflies all over the walls and hanging from the celing). Took some shots from the very back just to give a feel as to how many people were there ( it was a full house), I think the family will like to see that later as today will just be a blur later on. Took a couple of the herse and a few at the cemetry of the group and some kids letting go of balloons. I really tried to stay under the radar and tried not to get any of the grieving family apart from as part of the group.
I hope it's what they wanted. It's not something I'd like to do too often.
I wasn't asked to do this as a photographer but as a friend.
Just as a side note, I didn't use flash at all, just upped the iso to 1000 for inside the church.
Anyway, thanks again for all the advice.
Sarah |
|
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: 08/16/2025 06:01:10 PM EDT.
