Photography by Kapa

Apostole is a great name, he was baptised Apostole, his parents would call him Apostole when they spoke in Greek, doesn’t sound right calling him Paul in English, so I’ll stick with Apostole here.

The service was conducted by Father Leslie at the Greek Orthodox Parish & Community of ‘St. Gerasimos’ in Leichhardt. Here is a shot of the first cross & garment Apostole would wear, in the background the oil Apostole would be covered in & Father’s “baptism kit” which includes the scissors for his first offering & Holy Oil.

Apostole has great blue eyes, as captured here outside the church while waiting for guests to arrive.

He looked cute every time he sucked his thumb, more to follow….

but hated being undressed.

Father Leslie applying oil to Apostole, while he & his godmother exchange a serious look.

The godmother applies oil to the entire body, not sure if Apostole is enjoying it or about to break out in tears.

Apostole in the baptismal font, appears to be enjoying it.

Looking cute sucking his thumb between Mum & Godmum.

At the reception, I had an opportunity to pull out my paparazzi lens. I enjoy using this lens to capture candid photographs, here is Apostole with mum.

And a proud dad looking at a cute Apostole sucking his thumb, maybe a bit young to be sitting at the bar.

Back in March 2008, I photographed the christening of Katerina. She has grown up to be a gorgous young lady, here she is holding the baptismal candle for her sister Lucia’s christening.

While taking random photographs before the service, I quite liked this closeup I captured of Lucia.

The service was held at the Greek Orthodox Parish & Community of ‘St. Spyridon’ in Kingsford. It was interesting to note, that the bottle containing the oil which will be used to annoint Lucia had the initials LVM on it.

What makes it interesting is that for Katerina’s christening, her bottle had the initials KdM on it.

Toy boxes used as christening boxes have been popular recently, here are the shoe’s on top of Lucia’s.

Each priest / church, do some things differently to others. The first part of the service which is usually held at entrance, here it was conducted at the front. Some great natural light coming in from the behind, it was a brilliant sunny day in Sydney.

Lucia in the baptismal font.

Then being whisked away by her godmother to get dressed.

The first cross being worn by Lucia.

At the Greek Orthodox Parish & Community of ‘St. Euphemia’ in the inner western suburbs of Sydney, I had the pleasure of photographing Nazario’s baptism. Before the service begins, I like to capture some details. Here is the soap & olive oil supplied by the Godmother, next to the Priests baptism kit.

The Godparent also supplies a large candle that is used during the ceremony, here is Nazario’s.

Nazario on his way to the fun part of the ceremony, excuse the

Here his Godmother is applying the olive oil to his entire body.

Nazario in the baptismal font.

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 fist offering of the new born Christian to God and his church. It is indicative of dedication, offering and sacrifice.

The priest puts on the childs first cross, provided by the Godparent.

A gorgeous cake.

Closeup of Nazario at the reception. Given time, I love to position myself in a corner at a reception, pull out my ‘paparazzi’ lens & take candid photo’s. Lens is sharp as & provides a creamy background as seen here.

What better way to start of the reception, than by cracking open a bottle of blue, proudly provided by Nazario’s grandfather.

The reception had lots of KEFI, dancing, singing, and more dancing. Nazario’s great grandfather got down & danced a Zeibekiko the old fashioned way, around a glass of scotch.

The best compliments I receive for my photography, is not in words, letters or e-mails but actions. With so many photographers in Sydney, when previous clients come back to me to photograph the christening or baptism of their second or third child, it’s reassuring to know that I’m doing things right. Back in September 2008, over 3 years ago, I photographed the Christening of Zoe’s older sister, unfortunately, I don’t blog every baptism or christening I photograph, so no linky to it.

I digress, today it was Zoe’s day, and at the Greek Orthodox Parish of St Nicholas in Marrickville, she went through the Greek Orthodox ritual of her Christening. The service starts at the front of the church with the service of the Catachumen in which the various prayers of exorcism are read by the priest.

It was during this time that I captured an intimidate moment of Zoe and her Godmother.

I love it when the baby turns and looks directly at me during the service, here Mia is being anointed with Olive Oil by her Godmother.

A close up of Zoe being anointed.

As with every christening I photograph, a black and white photograph of the infant in the baptismal font.

A formal of Zoe and her Godmother.

This isn’t a choke hold, it’s Zoe’s older sister giving her a hug.