Most of the time, photography is a fun and light-hearted activity where we capture special moments and share them with others. Across the world, professional photographers are asked to preserve the happiest times of people’s lives from birthday celebrations to the beginnings of families and lives.
However, asking a professional photographer to take photos at a funeral is, of course, very different – for many different reasons.
Funeral Photography Isn’t Particularly New
You may have never thought about the possibility of having a professional photographer at a loved one’s funeral service. But, it’s something that more and more families are choosing to have.
A funeral photographer makes sure that all aspects of a funeral service are captured while being respectful of guests and those who have sadly passed away.
Funeral photography isn’t new when it comes to traditional funeral services. Centuries ago, funerals were often painted by artists, but when the camera was invented, photography at funerals became much more prevalent. In fact, during the Victorian era, it was regarded as the highest honour for the deceased to be photographed at their funeral.
When deciding whether to hire a funeral photographer or not, consider the fact that funerals are often events where family and friends are together for the first time in a number of years. So, having a photographer present at funeral service would be a way of documenting all that have come to pay tribute to their loved one.
Where to Find a Professional Funeral Photographer
There are many different websites out there that have been designed to find professional photographers and freelancers. The majority of these websites allow you to post a job free of charge and then provide you with relevant matches that fit your job description. A few good examples of these websites are UpWork, Freelancer and Fiver.
However, if you find yourself short on time, then you could get in touch with some local photographers instead. You could try asking around in your local community or ask your chosen funeral director if they partner with anyone or have any recommendations. They may know a few photographers that specialise in funeral photography or at least have some experience with it.
It’s important to remember that a photographer doesn’t necessarily need to specialise in funeral photography. There are many photographers that have the skills required to capture photos during emotional situations. You just need to make sure that they are fully comfortable with taking photos at a funeral and fully understand what you want.
It’s also a good idea to request to see some examples of their work to see if their style matches what you want.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Funeral Photography
Firstly, if you do plan on having a photographer at your loved one’s funeral, then you must inform all the guests that will be in attendance. It’s going to be a very emotionally challenging time, so the last thing you want to do is surprise them with a photographer.
You should also make sure that your photographer is clear that they can only take photos of people who have granted them permission to do so.
Before the funeral service is set to take place, it’s a good idea to sit down with your photographer to talk about what they can and can’t do.
Remember, not everyone is going to want particular photos taken. You should decide whether you are comfortable with them taking certain photos like ones of the coffin or casket or funeral procession.
During the Funeral Service
When taking photos during the funeral service, your photographer should remain discreet and not interrupt guests while they are paying their tributes, viewing floral displays or having conversations. It’s entirely up to you, but it might be best to take photos of the floral displays before or after the service has taken place.
If you think some of your guests would be comfortable, you could ask them if they would like to have their photos taken together. Some family members and friends may want to some photos taken of them together while others may not be comfortable doing this.
The most important thing to do when it comes to this is to make sure they don’t feel pressured in any way; just let them know that the option is there.
S. Stibbards & Sons Are Here to Help You
If you have recently lost a loved one and need help hiring a professional photographer for their funeral service, then S. Stibbards & Sons can help you.
We have been serving our local community since 1867, which means every little detail is just as important to us as it is to you and your family. If you would like to discuss funeral photography with S. Stibbards & Sons, please get in touch by visiting our contact page today.
