[sabbixsweraco]

This is probably more for the priests and other clergy here, but what guidelines/rules are in place for photography for weddings and baptisms in your parish? I'm thinking more for the pro photographers or a really good amateur with a good camera, than someone taking a few shots with their point and shoot from where they are in the congregation.

This concerns still photographers, not those shooting video.

Do the photographers have to stay in one designated spot, or are they allowed to move about the church, as long as they stay out of the priest's way?

I'm asking because I've got several weddings and numerous baptisms for friends and I've been urged by people all around me to make this a side business. I apparently have a God-given gift for seeing good pictures, regardless of what camera I'm using.

I know a decent amount of people who were disappointed with the pro photographers they hired for their weddings because important points in the wedding weren't caught. The betrothal in the narthex is a prime example. The pro photographers say they've done Orthodox weddings, but when the rubber hits the road, they don't - or maybe they've only done weddings in Greek parishes where everything is up the front, whereas in Russian tradition parishes the betrothal is done in the narthex.

I've also become my parish's "official" photographer, almost by default. One of my pictures of our new bishop's consecration has been featured on our diocese's website homepage for the past month.

I've shot almost everything with my own point and shoot (Canon PowerShot), but a friend had me shoot her small wedding with her DSLR last fall - on automatic since I only got my hands on the camera two hours before the ceremony, but pics came out good. Yesterday, I shot the priestly ordination of my goddaughter's dad with a borrowed DSLR. I'm astonished at the ones I got. Good camera and lenses - what a difference!

My priest - as well as the pastor of the church yesterday - have/had no problem with me moving about the church. The big difference between me and some run of the mill pro is that I'm Orthodox, and I know the services extremely well . Given that I'm active Orthodox and already know a good many of the priests locally (I'm active in local pan-Orthodox stuff), I might see if I could get a bit of leeway in moving around in the parishes that require the photographer to stand in one spot. My parish calls me the "stealth photographer" because I'm very quiet.

I always shoot in church *without* a flash. I think flash photography more distracting than a photographer quietly moving about. The only times I use a flash is during group shots *after* the wedding or baptism is over.

So, any comments or remarks on what is allowed in your parish are most welcome.

Thanks!