First Funeral

[4mr4do4sho]

Well, I was asked by a close friend to do a funeral for his nephew and I couldn't say no as he wept to me on the phone. This was one of the wishes of the family and I felt I needed to honor that. The kid was so young and I remember playing with him at a party and just like that he was gone. There was so much emotion to capture...hugging, sadness, happiness, crying. It was a good event to practice photojournalism as well as a self rewarding thing to do for the family and friends. We often post threads that show emotion of new life and the joining of lives, but I think that the end of a physical life shows the same emotion as those other events.

Well, here are some pictures that I thought I would share. The environment was tough to shoot in very low light and even wide open was getting about 1/25 or 1/40 shutterspeed (did it all handheld, thanks to IS).

Post comments or critiques as you please. Thanks.

1.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/jeffnic/Funeral1.jpg

2.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/jeffnic/Funeral2.jpg

3.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/jeffnic/Funeral3.jpg

4.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/jeffnic/Funeral4.jpg

5.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/jeffnic/Funeral5.jpg

6.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/jeffnic/Funeral6.jpg

7.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/jeffnic/Funeral7.jpg

8.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/jeffnic/Funeral8.jpg

[FlyingPhotog]

I think you've honored the family and this child's memory in a thoughtful and moving way...

[Pete]

A very moving series of shots. Personally, I'd do without the casket shot (but that's a personal choice).

You showed great tact and sympathy here...

[jonwhite]

It looks like you did a great job in covering it in a very respectable way but I have to admit I don't really understand the concept of funeral photography outside of recording one for public interest or a newsworthy event,

I guess maybe if some people who wanted to be there couldn't make it then this is a way for them to feel like they were there but beyond that I don't really understand it and I don't think its something I would want to shoot myself either, good on you for being able to do it for them though!

Did they give you any insight into why they wanted it covering or is anyone else able to offer insight into this?

[4mr4do4sho]

It looks like you did a great job in covering it in a very respectable way but I have to admit I don't really understand the concept of funeral photography outside of recording one for public interest or a newsworthy event,

I guess maybe if some people who wanted to be there couldn't make it then this is a way for them to feel like they were there but beyond that I don't really understand it and I don't think its something I would want to shoot myself either, good on you for being able to do it for them though!

Did they give you any insight into why they wanted it covering or is anyone else able to offer insight into this?

Honestly, I never thought that this would be something that I would have ever done. When I was asked to do it, I didnt hesitate to take the it, but afterwards I thought about "what the heck should I take pictures of? what should my boundaries be?". When I got to the viewing and burial, I was told that I didnt have any boundaries. The hardest part was taking pictures of the young boy with the casket open (which was done in a private room for the family).

Now why would they have wanted pictures? Well when talking with the mother, she told me something that I will always remember. She said that she wasn't going to do open casket but changed her mind because even in death her soon looked good. She was grieving from the loss of her young and only child and I think that having pictures of his life and death would be part of her healing process. I will be giving them all of the processed photos as well as a flush mount album on my behalf because I believe this will be something she will want and keep.

Would I do another funeral? Yes! Funerals aren't all about death. It's also about families getting together, lots of love and respect, and good eating (at least the ones I have been to people always seem to feast:confused:.) With all of the emotions around, it is a good photojournalistic event that people can reflect on just like any other wedding, party, etc.

[alabama1980]

Wow. I don't have the guts to tackle something like this. You did very well!

[Colorblinded]

I can't imagine shooting something like this, but you did a very nice job.

[Ralph Merlino]

You did very well.

[TheGreatOg]

Your images are very well done. As a whole, the series was touching. Then we got to the casket shot and my brain screamed "eek!". For me it felt too intimate, it was the worst experience of the mothers life and there her son is displayed for all to see, not just family and their closest friends. Having said that, I'm probably way too sensitive. My grandma died in October and I shot some of her funeral. I did one casket shot, but from a distance and you could only just make her out. My mom died in December and I asked my husband to get some shots. Honestly, I don't remember much of that day. The truth is that you got a shot that is impossible to get again. So if the mother wants it, great. If not, that's her choice. At least you've given her the option. Funeral photography is intense. You did well with this.

[blondine]

First I'm so sorry for their loss.....
2nd wonderful series, they are very strong photos and I'm sure that the family will come to cherish them... I have shot a few funerals myself and although it has always been of people that have had at least 50 years of life to enjoy it is a very dificult job to keep your emotions at bay.



Did they give you any insight into why they wanted it covering or is anyone else able to offer insight into this?

I will try to answer this as I come from a family where we pass on many of these.... they are taken for numerous reasons, some because family can't be there... some because of heritage documentation of life & death and some because sometimes we need something to hold onto when they are gone (I can hear the comments: wouldnt you keep the happy photos instead? not always...sometimes we need to understand the damage and we need to feel the loss... and we need to show the sadness and suffering)...

[jonwhite]

I will try to answer this as I come from a family where we pass on many of these.... they are taken for numerous reasons, some because family can't be there... some because of heritage documentation of life & death and some because sometimes we need something to hold onto when they are gone (I can hear the comments: wouldnt you keep the happy photos instead? not always...sometimes we need to understand the damage and we need to feel the loss... and we need to show the sadness and suffering)...

Thanks a lot for the explanation and insight, I guess thats the bit I find hard to relate to because I cant imagine wanting photos of such a sad occasion as its not something I would want to relive again by looking back at photos of it..... we are all different individuals though so its good that someone is able to fulfill these needs for coverage because I dont think I could.

[Highlight_Photography]

Very touching images.

[The Moose]

Very emotional shots, you did well to accept and shoot it no questions asked. I'm not sure I'd ever shoot a funeral. If it were someone I knew, it would be too close to home. If it were someone I didn't know, I just wouldn't be able to do it because I had no connection to them.

[guntoter]

I recently was ask by the family of an uncle of mine to photograph his funeral. I was very surprised that they wanted it. However I agreed. I made sure that everyone knew that I was ask to do it. Turns out that others were there with cameras also.

I mentioned to the funeral director that he probably had never seen this before, and he said that it is actually very common now.

They even wanted pictures of him in the casket. Also had an honor guard from the fire department at head/foot of the casket.

It turned out just fine. I didn't use any flash. Prime lenses with big aperture worked well.

[chuckw]

Great job, it's in the same realm as I have been deciding on performing after reading an article on the need for photographers. Here's a link for Sandy Puc's organization. http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/

[4mr4do4sho]

Very emotional shots, you did well to accept and shoot it no questions asked. I'm not sure I'd ever shoot a funeral. If it were someone I knew, it would be too close to home. If it were someone I didn't know, I just wouldn't be able to do it because I had no connection to them.

Thanks everyone for the input and comments.

It was very tough for me because I am a good friend to the family and remember playing with the kid. I even remember before the burial they were giving rememberance speeches and I cried (a guest there gave me a tissue when she saw me:)). Connection or not, it is a tough thing to experience, but in the end it is something you can walk off knowing that you did good for someone who experienced a tragic event.

[FlyingR6]

Wow, very respectable and tactful pictures. I was worried when I opened the link, but you did fantastic. I have a few reserves about the casket shot, but even there, you did very well.

[Anke]

Tasteful and respectful, you can't ask for more than that.

[stathunter]

Well done. I have to disagree with the one poster-----about not getting the casket shot --- not quite sure how you can cover a funeral without a casket shot. I think the casket shot is necessary---
Good job and the family with be very grateful with your work.

[Pete]

Well done. I have to disagree with the one poster-----about not getting the casket shot --- not quite sure how you can cover a funeral without a casket shot. I think the casket shot is necessary---
Good job and the family with be very grateful with your work.

I apologise if I offended in my comment, none was indended. I have huge respect for the sensitivity of this set (and of course, the other shots in the set not shown here).

Here in the UK, it's almost unheard of to have an open casket at a funeral, it's simply in my culture not to expect to see that.

[stathunter]

I apologise if I offended in my comment, none was indended. I have huge respect for the sensitivity of this set (and of course, the other shots in the set not shown here).

Here in the UK, it's almost unheard of to have an open casket at a funeral, it's simply in my culture not to expect to see that.

Pete-- no offense. My apologies-- I think it is a cultural thing--- while casket photos are not optimal I personally think they are essential in documenting for the family.

[texasreddirt]

excellent job

[FamilyJules]

what a wonderful job for such a solemn event. #5 made me audibly gasp.... beautiful shot!

[LVPhotos]

Everything... from shot selection to the processing just WORKS. I can FEEL the emotion.

Even the noise (assuming from high ISO) actually ADDS to the feel (and I typically despise noise!).

Great work, and way to expand your horizons, and do a good deed!

[wardie]

I think that you did very well. I see Respect and Gentleness in these photos

The strongest shots to me are #1 & #5

[Project22a]

Good job. If I had to shoot it, I wouldn't know where to start.

[deserttarheel]

Exquisite shots. Your touch is powerfully gentle.

[4mr4do4sho]

Everything... from shot selection to the processing just WORKS. I can FEEL the emotion.

Even the noise (assuming from high ISO) actually ADDS to the feel (and I typically despise noise!).

Great work, and way to expand your horizons, and do a good deed!


Thanks. I normally do some homework before any event and studied funeral photographers..so that helped alot. I knew that i could not use flash and shooting ISO 1600 or more was tough in the low light, but I knew the natural noise would help the mood in each picture.

what a wonderful job for such a solemn event. #5 made me audibly gasp.... beautiful shot!

Thanks. This was also a favorite of many who saw this picture. (my wife including:D)