We’re here to talk about Christening Photography today. It is so important to capture the sweet memories of special events like your baby’s christening because they only happen once! No mother ever regrets having a good photographer or lots of pictures. To help you determine which things are most important to you, we’ve put together our checklist of must-haves to capture.

There are two types of sessions to consider for your christening photography: a portrait session, and an event session.

The Portrait Session

You’ll want to schedule the portrait session separately from your event. With tons of guests to entertain and a venue to prepare, you’ll be way too busy to think about capturing the precious moments of the christening day. We recommend taking the following pictures either before or after the event. If taken before, it might be a fun idea to display them as dinner table décor on the christening day.

A portrait session can be any setting that is special to you-or several ones. Photos in the baby’s nursery offer a personal feel, while photos in a studio are very formal and classic. Outdoor shots are a great way to document what season the event took place in. Photos of the church and chapel can be a beautiful addition to your book of remembrance as well. Be creative! Whatever you choose, it’s important to consider your setting and go for something of significance to you and your baby.

Whether indoors or outside, formal or informal, add these shots to your list:

• Christening invitation
• Getting dressed:
  • outfit on a hanger/bed/dresser
  • baby in underclothes
  • buttoning outfit
  • tying bows/belts/ties
• Baby with Mom & Dad, individually and together
• Baby with siblings
• Full-length shot of baby in their christening outfit
• Detail shots of the baby in their christening outfit
  • head-shot with hat/headband
  • hands with bracelets, etc.
  • feet with shoes, socks, etc.
• Detail shots of the christening outfit: whatever makes the outfit special and beautiful
  • headband/hat
  • lace/trims
  • accessories: shoes, jewelry, etc.
• Detail shots of the venue (as allowed)
  • chapel
  • font/water
  • candle, shell
• Baby with bible
• Baby with rosary

We recommend including the venue shots in the portrait session if possible. It will be easier for the photographer to set up great detail shots of the chapel and ceremonial items (the stained glass window, the water, the chapel ceiling, etc.) without all the guests to work around. You’ll want her to focus on the actual ceremony during the event.

The Event

You’ll want to hire a photographer to capture all the moments of the christening as well as the post-ceremony dinner or reception. Keep in mind (and let your photographer know) that you’ll want to document the event as if you’ll be showing your best friend who could not be there.

Make sure you don’t miss these moments:

• Greeting guests at the church
• Ceremony (as allowed):
  • officiator reading from the bible
  • baby being passed to the officiator
  • officiator blessing baby
  • candle burning
  • baby in water
  • drying baby
  • officiator blessing family
  • candid photos of the baby and guests (grandma’s smile, etc.)
• Group shots after the ceremony:
  • baby with Mom & Dad, individually and together
  • baby with Godparents, individually and together
  • baby with siblings
  • baby with grandparents
  • baby with everyone!
• Candid photos of baby and guests during post-ceremony dinner/reception
• Dinner/reception décor

Be sure to add your own creative ideas to the list!

{All photographs by Paisley Studios}

We’ve included a free Christening Photography Checklist printable to help ensure that you won’t miss a moment!

Download the PDF checklist.

Did we miss anything? … Share your christening photography ideas in the comments below!