Funeral Photography Tips
To shoot a funeral requires a certain amount of tact and sensitivity. There are many rules and guidelines, but we would like to share with you what we feel is the most important one.
Shooting funerals is not as simple as shooting weddings and portraits. The reason is simple, funerals do not always involve happy occasions. At times funerals are difficult and traumatic, other times they are just sad. When you are shooting funerals, you need to keep that in mind and keep a clear head. You need to be able to remain professional and respectful. In many cases, funerals can be difficult and upsetting, especially when you are not prepared for it.
There are many different reasons for a funeral. You can find funerals in all types of situations. Sometimes funerals are just sad, but there are other times where the family and friends want to celebrate a life, which has been lost. Some times it is a celebration of life, other times it is a celebration of death. These celebrations are all different and you need to be ready for each type of event.
You must be aware of the purpose and the reason for the funeral you are attending. The purpose will be the focal point of the ceremony. Sometimes the families will want to have photos taken to mark the day and remember the deceased. These types of funerals do not require a lot of preparation. Other times, the families want to create a photo montage of the life of the deceased. These funerals will require a different type of equipment.
If you are shooting a funeral for a church service, you will most likely use a tripod. This is the best way to have your camera stabilized, so you can get the sharpest photos possible. A flash is very important, since the photos will be lit by the natural light. You will also need a remote to take the photo. Another type of photo that requires a tripod, is when the family members will be singing and standing around a casket. It will help the photographer have a stable shot of everyone.
Another option, is to go ahead and take your camera and some extra batteries and a battery charger. Make sure you check with the venue or location to see if you can bring a battery charger with you. You never know when you will run out of power.
There are also times where you will be shooting funerals as they happen. You will need a wide angle lens, which can cover a large area and allow you to get the action of the funeral. Another option, is to get some zoom lenses, which can allow you to get in closer to the action. It will depend on the size of the location, the size of the room and how close you want to be to the action.
When shooting a funeral, you must have some basic equipment with you. It doesn’t matter what type of camera you have, as long as it is a simple camera that has a good lens. You can also get some good accessories to make your work easier. Some of the accessories will include a softbox, which can help to add more lighting to the images. Also, you will want a reflector to help fill in some of the shadows.
When you are at the funeral, you will want to have your camera set to manual. This will help you to have complete control of your settings. The reason, is because the lighting is not always ideal and you will need to adjust some of the settings as the situation changes.
When you are taking your photos, do not be afraid to ask permission to take a picture. The more you ask, the more people will be open to talking about the deceased. People love to talk about the deceased, especially in front of the camera. Many of the families will not want to have their photo taken, but will be more than willing to let you take their picture.
When you are shooting a funeral, you need to be very respectful. It is a difficult situation and you do not want to make things worse. Do not talk to the people in the funeral, unless they initiate the conversation. Remember, they have a tough day and they don’t need to hear your stories. Stay calm and keep your cool. When you are shooting a funeral, you need to remain professional and have a clear head.
Several things to remember:
1. If you find yourself in difficult or unpleasant situations, take immediate action to rectify it.
2. If you are not sure of anything, contact the funeral director.
3. Try to be as unobtrusive as possible.
4. Please do not record the ceremony itself or the service.
5. Be aware of people’s sensitivities.
6. Respect other people’s beliefs and customs.
7. Remember there are children at funerals and their needs should be respected.
8. Do not touch or photograph dead bodies, except in exceptional circumstances.
9. Do not take photos of caskets or coffins.
Ideas for Funeral Photography
