Kapa’s Blog

Today I was at the Greek Orthodox Parish & Community of ‘St. Andrew’ in Gladesville to photograph the orthodox christening of Chloe. The ‘psalti’ reads the Creed with Chloe’s parents captured in the background.

Chloe being immersed in the baptismal font.

After the service, Chloe grabbing a power nap on mums shoulder.

A tight portrait with Chloe, Mum & the Godmother.

Soon after, Chloe was snuggled up into her dads shoulder, grabbed this (my favourite shot of the day) using natural light and the aperture wide open.

The reception was at Banjo Patterson’s Cottage Restaurant, and while everyone was enjoying drinks during a beautiful (but humid) Sydney day, I was grabbing candid shots of the family & guests.

A very impressive cake put together by Sweet Art.

And a signature bear for all the guests to sign.

Kids entertainment was provided by “Fairy Star” from FairyCrystal.

While Fairy Star was telling her story, the expression on Chloe’s face was priceless.

Chloe giving me the Robert de Nero “Are you looking at me” look.

Had some time to capture some cute portraits using an off-camera flash.

Happy Valentines Day

I thought I was going to have a challenging day today…..as soon as I said hello to Matthew he broke out tears. Obviously a photographer with a big scary camera & flash frightened him, however he soon started to get comfortable with me around.

Soon after he got dressed managed to capture some cute photographs.

Here is Mathew with his big sister Laura. I met Laura over 2 years ago when she was an infant, I photographed her baptism as well.

The church was St Charles Borromeo in Ryde, I got there a bit early & captured this using natural light.

Father Paul had a good demeanour with the children. He invited them up to the baptismal font & explained the significance of the Water.

He then got all the children to assist in the blessing of the water.

Matthew getting baptised with his very proud parents looking on.

A close-up of the water being poured on Mathew’s head from a shell.

Here is a couple of candid shots I liked, both capturing a special moment.

It was a sense of Déjà vu at the Greek Orthodox Parish of ‘St. Paraskeve & St. Barbara’. I guess it’s best to explain the feeling I had with photos.

I took this photo of Eleni today.

Yet two months ago at Kalista’s christening, I took this photo.

So when it came to selecting a photo of the baby in the baptismal font, I decided to stray from my regular black and white photos and try something different, what do you think of this treatment?

Sometimes I stand back & take a wider shot, not just the baby, gives a bit of perspective to what’s happening.

I’m keeping today’s entry short, been a long day and there’s a cold beer waiting for me

The best compliment I receive for my photography is when I get repeat business from the same clients. This is the case today with the Greek Orthodox baptism of Mia. Almost 2 years ago in April 2007, I photographed the baptism of her elder sister Eleftheria. My how she’s grown into a lovely young lady.

I always take still photography of what the godparents bring, the cross, candle, clothes, box, toys, I try to capture everything. Mia got herself a gorgeous pair of shoes.

If you’re a regular follower of my blog, you’ll know I love using natural light where possible, which is rarely an option in most churches. It was a bright Sydney day and the light was beaming into St Nicholas church Marrickville which helped me capture this moment.

The proud grandmothers, after stripping Mia before her big moment.

My favourite shot, the baby in the baptismal font, which I always love to convert into black & white.

And after a long day, a drink & a lye down is the way to end it.

Young Kalista was baptised on the last day of the short month at the Greek Orthodox church, Annunciation of our Lady. My first pic is the godmother is anointing her with oil, sadly in the current climate I’m forced to pixelate parts of the image.

There was a great moment during the service, Kalista turned around and looked at directly at the priest. Don’t know what she was thinking….

Of course what would a christening in my blog be without the black & white image of the baby in the baptismal font.

After the service, guests were given a boubouniere that was gorgeously presented.

The cake was unreal, not only because it looked great, but Kalista’s mum made it herself.

Have a look at the detail in this photograph.

Now I’m not one that would usually take photo’s of food at a reception, however the baked barramundi looked (and tasted) fantastic.

Don’t forget to use the feedback option below, drop me a note, tell me what you want to see.

When I first booked this christening, I thought it was going to be twins. When I showed up I discovered it was a double christening, the two getting baptised were first cousins. To confuse the issue even more, the godparents were the parents of the two children, who happen to be siblings, the parents, not the children, they’re cousins. Confused? So am I, lets get to the photo’s.

At the All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Belmore, there was not only two children being baptised, there were two priests to perform the service. They alternated at different sections; One in Greek the other in English.

With all the extra people during this service things got a little tight around the baptismal font.

First was Zac, with his Auntie (now Godmother) is just about to start covering him in oil.

Zac enjoying the water.

First haircut.

Then it was Maddie’s turn. The oil being poured into her uncle’s (now godfather) hands.

Unlike Zac, she didn’t seem to enjoy the water.

Out she came into the white towel.

With the service over, everyone headed off to the reception at the Campsie Bowling & Recreational Club where a colourful & delicious cake was sitting at the front.

A candid during the reception, part of the day I love, capturing moments like this.

Today was an absolutely gorgeous winters day in Sydney. The sun was beaming outside of St Andrews Greek Orthodox at Gladesville where I was grabbing candid photo’s of young Marcus, his family and friends before the service had started.

This one of Marcus and his mum caught my eye as soon as I took it, once I completed my post-processing of the day, it turned out to be my favourite. Love the way the sun is highlighting parts of their hair, and their relaxed natural expressions.

Here is one of the soon to be godfather sharing a moment with Marcus.

During the Christening, Pure olive oil is hallowed and administered to the various members of the infant’s body.

Marcus is then immersed thrice in the blessed water in the Name if the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

After the service and the formal portraits, took several of Marcus and his two older brothers.

Then it was off to the reception at Curzon Hall where a delicious looking cake with very cute detail was greeting the guests.

and the kids were entertained by Paul’s Magic.

Looking for a magician renowned for “making parties and events unforgettable, with laughter, amazement, and Fun”? Today at Marcus’s Christening I was the kids were entertained by a magician called Paul.

Participation from the audience is encouraged, during his routine at least six or seven kids came up and assisted in the show.

Now what kind of magician doesn’t pull a rabbit out of a hat (or another place). After the final act the kids get to pat the rabbit then it was off to making balloon animals and shapes for them.

Paul’s Magic
http://www.paulsmagic.com.au
Ph: (02) 9402 6625
Mob: 0404 033 292

Today at the Greek Orthodox Parish & Community of ‘St. Andrew’ when I was taking photo’s of the christening box, the outfit, the shoes, the candle, etc, etc, my eye caught something I had never seen before, a keepsake for the first lock of hair cut. As you may (or may not) know, part of the Orthodox Christening service, the first offering is a lock of hair, more on this later.

Alexia was in front of the church being passed around between relatives (as you do) and this is one of the candid ones I took, the start of some great eye contact.

At the start of the service which is conducted at the front of the church, Alexia wanted to help turn the pages. I like the lighting in this mainly as the sun was setting and the last of the direct sunlight just streaming in.

During the service, as if Alexia knew I was waiting, she lies back and looks over the priests back right at the camera.

For Alexia, this was just another bath, didn’t cry at all.

Apart from the black & white treatment, I also gave this one a bit of grain. Now back to the lock of hair I started talking about earlier.

The child is then tonsured, cutting the hair in the form of a cross, in the name of the Holy trinity, for the hair is the symbol of strength. This also represents the very first offering of the new born Christian to God and his church. It is indicative of dedication, offering and sacrifice.

While Alexia was being dressed got some more eye contact and that “I’m tooo cute” look.

With three people trying to dress her, she looked at me as if to say “they’ve got no idea”. You can see mum & dad in the background.

By the time the guests had passed on their congratulations, Alexia had fallen fast asleep. We took the formals with her sleeping, and then I took some of just her and her mum. Although I took this one again because mum blinked, I actually liked it a lot more than the one with her eyes open.

Finally off to the reception at the Lakes Golf Club where a gorgeous & colourful cake greeted the guests.