Shooting inside a Church

I got offered to do a Baptism at a Church and i'm not exactly sure how to approach the Lighting situation. I know almost all Churches have high ceiling's so Bouncing the Flash is not an Option. I have 2 Flashes, and two Tripods. Should i bring all of my Gear or just 1 Camera, 1 flash and call it a day?

Any suggestions?

They may have high ceilings but they have walls. Bounce off the walls. When I'm shooting in a church, or just about anywhere, I find a wall to bounce the flash off. Good rule of thumb is to have the speedlite pointing toward a wall that will bounce the light into the face of the subject. Keep ambient exposure about a stop to 2 stops under and use FEC to balance the flash exposure.

Check with the worship leader to make sure that flash is allowed during the ceremony. Otherwise you may just be able to use it for posed/recreated shots after the service.

That's a good suggestion. Even though its a given that there will be P&S flashes popping.
If you're doing this as a favor for the parents and not getting paid, asking forgiveness may be easier than asking permission.

If you're getting paid, then you're obligated to follow the rules. If they are going to lead to constraints that compromise your ability to get the job done mention that to the parents before the ceremony starts. That often leads to a bending of the rules to benefit the parents and you by extension.

Agree on checking with the church. Our church does not allow flash photography (or photography in general) during baptisms.

Just called, They do allow Flash Photography. So should i just go with one flash or try to setup both flashes?

Are we talking baby baptism or adult/child baptism?

If baby, I would do one camera and one flash and put a bounce card on the flash. If adult baptism where they are above the choir, 2 flashes off to each side would probably work.

For reference, I am picturing churches here in NC - babies at pulpit level, adults/children in the baptismal above the choir. This church could be completely different.

Check out the layout of the area to be used. Even though photography is allowed, will you be free to move about to get each best picture position, or will you be confined to shooting from the best choice seating position in the congregation seating area? However you work, you do not want to be disrupting the flow of the service itself.

Sometimes how and where you can place lights are extremely limited if mounted on stands. In most churches, bouncing off the walls in the sanctuary is as impossible as bouncing off the ceiling. On-camera diffused flash, better yet if elevated slightly on a bracket, may be your most flexible option.

Use your 17-40 @ f4, ISO 1600-2000, bounce your flash, both if you have triggers. You'd be amazed how much you can bounce, unless you are shooting in Westminster Abbey, it should be ok. Bounced flash is VERY unintrusive. Shoot RAW. You have a 7D sensor in there. Gel flashes for tungsten (1/4 or 1/2 CTS or CTO) and fire away. You'll do fine.

Jeff

edit:
I noticed that you have 1 ETTL, 1 non ETTL flash. Use your 565 in ETTL mode. It's powerful.