Have you shot a funeral before? What should I expect?

10 months 3 weeks ago #753020 by Ian Stone
A long time client just hired me for an upcoming funeral, I was honest with them that I had no experience, but they like my work and said that was OK.  

Can you shed some light on what I should expect and how to prepare.  Any tips would be greatly appreciated.  

Thank you


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10 months 3 weeks ago #753059 by Garbo
Nope, but I was asked last year and once prior to that.  I passed, just wasn't something i had experience with, or wanted to shoot.  Sorry no help.  

Nikon D300: 24-70 2.8 | 70-200 2.8 VR |Sigma 150 2.8 | 50 1.4 | SB-800
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10 months 2 weeks ago #753139 by H Rocky
I have a friend who shoots funerals and I had asked him nearly the same thing, curious about how these go.  He was telling me, it's all the same, some funerals are celebrated with the person going to a better place and there is joy with remembering their life and others are just a lower slower pace for obvious reasons.  Like anything, you communicate with the people who have hired to get an idea of what they want captured.  


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10 months 2 weeks ago #753190 by TCav
What should you expect?

For one, the guest of honor is dead. :P


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10 months 2 weeks ago #753193 by CharleyL
"For one, the guest of honor is dead."
Yes, and they are not at all likely to move and blur a shot, even at a very slow shutter speed.

My mom was a Florist, so guess who had to deliver the arrangements as soon as I could drive a car/truck. This required me to be in and around the caskets and the recently departed quite often. This frequently needed to be in the mornings when the undertaker was touching up the cosmetics, etc. After a few deliveries to the funeral homes and placing the arrangements around and on the caskets, it didn't take long for me to be less uncomfortable while doing what I had to.

Notice that I said "less uncomfortable". No, I have never photographed the dearly departed, but I probably could if I was asked.

I would meet with the family members who are asking for this photo session, and make a list of the shots desired. Then discuss the best time for this shoot with the funeral director. It will likely be in late morning, after the cosmetic, etc. re-touching, but before the family begins arriving, unless they want to be in the shots. You will very likely need to set up and do the photoshoot in about an hour, so don't plan on having more than a tripod and a couple of lights and stands plus your camera. Battery operated lights will save setup time.  

Charley


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10 months 2 weeks ago #753232 by Conner
Oh no, and don't think I would.  Just not something I would feel comfortable shooting. 


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