[emingeRek]

Theodora, I, too, have become the second-string amateur who seems to get the shots the pros (or those with much fancier gear) miss. I quite agree with you that being familiar with the structure of services helps immensely in properly documenting the ceremony. I've not come across any Orthodox church where the photographer is required to stay in one spot, but, with telephoto lenses, the movement can be kept to a minimum. And I completely agree with not using flash! The only time I use it, out of necessity, is during the immersion during baptism - I don't have a fast-enough lens to capture the moment in available light. And most built-in flashes in compact cameras are too harsh and have no range worth speaking of. Shoe-mounted flashes are the way to go, and must have a diffuser to avoid red-eye and harsh contrast.

In my experience, the no-go areas for photographers are the solea/ambon; and, when moving from one side of the church to the other, particularly at Russian weddings, it's best to go to the back of the nave, and cross behind the couple, not go forward and cut across the Royal Doors. If the church has an upstairs section, either as a gallery for the congregation (gynaikoniti), or where the choir sings (as is often the case in Slavic churches), take advantage of it! :-) The panoramic shots from above can be stunning.