Greek Baptism Photography: Hagia Sophia

Greek Baptism Photography: Hagia Sophia

Exterior view of the Church in Hagia Sophia in Central London
Beautiful church ceiling with some arch design and some art and lighting on it
Candid look of a young girl on her dad's chest while holding onto someone in front of her from a christening portrait session in London
The priest reading a book in front of the family and the child that will be christened

This was the third baptism I’ve photographed at Hagia Sophia (an Orthodox Greek church) in central London. I love photographing christenings again at the same church because it’s a great challenge to keep photographing the building with new angles and perspectives.

The guests were wearing such colourful clothing – it made a wonderful contrast against the darkness of the church’s interior and the golden decorations.

I photographed the grandmothers holding the baby and making her laugh. She was such a happy jolly baby – it was so lovely to see her following her newborn portrait session. As usual, I photographed the symbolic items that play a role in a baptism: the oils, the candle, the Bible. I found some more interesting angles to photograph the service from – a particular favourite of mine in this church is to frame the family between a candle and the cross at the altar.

Throughout the service, I photographed family members and guests smiling as they watched on; and the parents looking adoringly at that little baby.

There are several places in this church that no one can stand except for the priest – I was careful not to back into these areas whilst taking photographs.

As is often the case, the little girl was startled by her baptism but recovered swiftly in her parents arms. The photographs of the baptism itself aren’t shown on this page for privacy reasons, as the little girl was nude.

I love the drama of baptisms in this church: the swinging insense, the family and godparents walking around the altar, and the dramatic voice of the priest. 

The light in this church is very low – it’s dramatic, but can be challenging so I have to stay on my toes to make sure I’m finding viewpoints where the light is falling on the family and where they’re not in the dark.

Straight after the service, family members dived in to hold the gorgeous little baby – she was delighted to have some fun and games after the service.

We then went to Hotel 34 for the reception, where I photographed the guests enjoying some delicious canapés and catching up with old friends.

Christenings are such a great opportunity to get the nearest and dearest together and to have a big celebration with everyone close to you. It always tugs at my heart strings seeing how much it means to people to have their closest friends there to celebrate with them.

Mum kissing a man on the chick while holding her baby in the church
Granny carrying the baby and other granny are happy to see the child
Elegant book cover with some diamonds and stone in the church
Church's oil and oil container in the altar for christening ritual
Mum holding her baby girl's hand while on her dad's chest proceeding the christening ritual
Granny in the church with some guest around her
A man guest looking at his right side smiling with other guest at his back and the priest in front of him
Dad carrying his baby girl and the priest showing the book to her in the church
Mum and dad snuggles with their baby girl on a candid look in the church
Priest reading the bible and starting the ritual of christening
Priest pouring some oil onto the parent's hand before the christening starts in the bowl
Closeup look of the priest putting some oil on the baby girl's feet
Godparents holding a baby girl after she has been baptised
Candid look of the guests taking to the priest
Candid look of the family with the baby girl and the guest walking in the altar starting the ritual
Candid look of the priest swinging a christening tool starting the ritual from a Christening portrait session in London
Candid look of mum carrying her baby girl while dad holding a big candle while standing together with the guests
Beautiful family standing together with the priest starting the ritual from a christening portrait session in London
Natural look of a young baby girl on a closeup look
Candid look of mum holding her baby girl
adorable closeup look of a blue-eyed young boy wearing a bow tie with granny at the background from Christening portrait session in London
Candid look of beautiful guests in the Greek Baptism in the Church
Natural look of a blue-eyed young girl crouched down on the red carpet in the church
closeup look of lighted candles in a bowl of sand in the church
Adorable young boy standing in the church aisle from a Christening portrait session in London
Candid look of a man holding an umbrella while texting outside the church
Happy couple carrying a baby outside he church
exterior view of the reception building with the american flag after the Greek Baptism
Closeup look of a well design chocolate cake after the Greek Baptism
bar view of the reception with the bartender and many people in the room after the Greek Baptism
Candid look of a woman chatting with another woman after the Greek Baptism
closeup look of the waiter's arm with a plate full of food after the Greek Baptism
Candid look of people chatting in the reception after the Greek Baptism
closeup look of a printed balloon with pink and orange circles on it
Wine glasses with a gift box from Elizabeth Scarlett London
Candid look of a group of Grannies chatting in a table after the Greek Baptism
Candid look of a young boy playing a ball in the reception after the Greek Baptism

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