For most of us, photography is a fun and joyful activity, one where we get to do something we enjoy and share it with others. Indeed, all the time and all over the world, professional photographers are asked to immortalize the happiest times of people’s lives: beginnings of families and lives, important rituals, celebrated accomplishments. Photographing a funeral is very different – on many levels.
Although a funeral may not seem like the kind of event people would seek to remember, it often is. After all, it’s an important ritual, a celebration of a life, and a gathering of people who may not know each other well, but who are united in their mourning.
In my experience, many people find it important to have their loved one’s funeral documented, even though it’s a photography service that isn’t advertised or discussed as much or in the same way as others (e.g., senior portraits, family photoshoots, etc).
Photographing a funeral: what you need to know
Note: All the images in this article have been approved for use here by the families. No images have been used without written permission for this sensitive subject matter.
To some extent, preparing to photograph a funeral differs little from any other photography job. But there are obviously some unique considerations, and in this article, I’ll discuss both the similarities and the important differences.
One thing I want to emphasize:
Don’t photograph a funeral as your first photography job, or even as your second. Funeral photography requires a professional and calm attitude, a lot of experience, and high-quality work. It’s important that it’s done correctly – so if you’ve been asked to document a funeral and you’ve never really done any serious event photography before, you should gently encourage the client to ask someone with more photoshoots under their belt. (At the very least, emphasize that you’ve never done something like this before; you want to make sure they know what they’re getting.)
Before the funeral
The funeral is a foundational life-cycle event, and for the person looking to hire you, it undoubtedly brings up a lot of emotions.
Funeral photography isn’t discussed as much as other types of photography – there are no magazines or fairs about it, and there’s little sharing of funeral photos on social media. Therefore, good communication with the client is even more important than usual. Remember that the person you’re dealing with may not be able to express exactly what they’re looking for, and that they will naturally be stressed and upset.
So make sure you ask lots of questions, and try to offer input and advice if the client seems to be struggling. Of course, you should do all this with the utmost sensitivity; the goal isn’t to show off your professionalism or expertise but to understand what to expect and what the client wants.
If possible, take some photos before the mourners enter. That way, you can capture the wider scene. Always ask before entering, though.
Here are the most important things to find out before the day of the funeral:
- When and where will the ceremony take place? If possible, visit the place beforehand to familiarize yourself with the venue. (When you’re there, scope out the light situation. Think about how the lighting might change depending on the weather and the time of day, especially if the venue includes large windows.)
- What kind of ceremony will it be? If you’ll be photographing a ceremony that’s unfamiliar to you, make sure you learn all you can about it. This is for a few key reasons: so you can have a better sense of what will happen on the day, so you can know which elements of the ceremony are most important (and should therefore be most carefully documented), and so you can avoid doing anything inappropriate or disrespectful while photographing. Also, if you feel you can’t confidently photograph a certain ceremony by the date of the funeral, communicate that to your client right away so they can find someone else instead. As I emphasized above, funeral photography must be done well, and if you’re not sure you’re up to the task, it’s not the time to shrug and say, “Well, I’ll do my best!”
- What specific photographs are particularly important to the client? For instance, some might want you to focus on the sermon and the eulogy, while others might ask you to prioritize photos of the mourners or the religious details.
- What kind of relationship does the customer have with the deceased?
On the day of the funeral, wear something dark (and make sure that it’s appropriate for the ceremony, based on your questions and research). Also, wear shoes that will let you move around without causing a disturbance.
Naturally, be sure to be at the venue on time, greet your client, and offer your condolences.
Photographing the ceremony
The biggest challenge when photographing a funeral is finding the right balance between getting beautiful photos and not disturbing the ceremony. Make sure to be quiet and to avoid blocking the mourners’ view, but remember that you’re being paid to capture the event. Your client has asked you to help family and friends remember a momentous day and the life of a loved one, so you must do your job, and you must do it well.
Look for areas of the space that allow you to create meaningful images while staying out of people’s way – this is another way that visiting the venue in advance can be a big help – and whatever you do, don’t work with a flash. Also, if your camera has a silent or electronic shooting mode, then use it; most modern mirrorless cameras offer this option, and it’ll often make your shutter imperceptible. Keep noisy adjustments (like lens changes) to an absolute minimum – if you want to switch between focal lengths, carry two cameras, or use a high-quality zoom.
The photos you absolutely must capture depend on the kind of ceremony in question, and they also depend on the client’s desires. However, here are a few general types of images that you should strive to take:
- Mourners paying their respects
- The essential parts of the religious (if it is religious) ceremony
- The burial and final goodbyes
You’ve been asked to photograph a very intimate event, so remember that photographing the guests should be done discreetly and with respect. To many, images of the guests are some of the most important that you’ll capture: they signify different parts of the deceased person’s rich life and represent the people in whose memories the deceased will continue to live on. Some might want a group photo of all the guests (if you’re not sure whether this is of interest, ask in advance).
The details and specific parts of the ceremony are also important to photograph: the flower arrangements, the lowering of the coffin, and the priest or leader of the ceremony.
After the funeral
When the ceremony (or the part of it you have been asked to photograph) is over, let your client know you’re leaving, offer your condolences once again, and compliment them on how beautiful the event was.
Immediately afterward, go home, and back up your photos. Then give yourself a breather and take care of yourself. Being a part of this kind of event might affect you more than you realize.
The image-selection process and editing should happen the way it always does. You should be professional and deliver the images in a timely manner. Just remember to be very respectful and create the most tasteful pictures you can. If you’re not sure whether an image is tasteful/appropriate, it’s better to leave it out of the set you deliver to your client.
Be respectful, be professional, and accommodate the client
Funerals are events of sorrow, of remembering, and of togetherness. It’s important to capture all of that, not only the darkness.
Most importantly, however, is to be empathetic throughout the entire process. The more you can focus on the client’s needs, the more effectively you create the kind of images that your client is seeking – and the better it’ll be for everyone.
What do you think? Do you have any other tips or warnings for someone who’s been asked to photograph a funeral? Please share your advice and opinions in the comments below.
