Photography by Kapa

Back in September 2008, I had the pleasure of photographing the double Christening of Zac & Maddie. Today, I had the double pleasure (pun intended) of photographing the double christening of their younger brother & sister – John & Sophia.

Here is what Zac & Maddie look like now, my how they’ve grown from the last time I saw them. Taken outside of the Greek Orthodox Parish of ‘St. Stephanos’ in Hurlstone Park.

As Usual, the service begins at the entrance to the church, here are some candid shots take of John, Sophia, their godmothers & priest.

According to the priest – boys go first…… So here is John being anointed with the oil by his godmother.

Followed by John in the baptismal font.

Then Sophia was anointed by her godmother.

And into the baptismal font.

If you have time between the church and reception, it’s an ideal time to get some family portraits taken. We stopped off at a park on the way to the reception, here’s a couple of formal shots.

Brother & Sister.

And without a doubt my favorite shot of the day – a candid of mum & daughter when the sun was at it’s lowest, minutes before it set.

Just in the doorway of the Greek Orthodox Parish & Community Of The Resurrection Of Our Lord; Our Lady Of Myrtles; Saint Elessa I managed to grab this photograph of the Mia with her future Godmother.

During the part of the service where the priest is applying the oil onto Mia’s feet.

An old style black & white photograph of Mia in the baptismal font.

Mia’s older cousins entertained her while she was being dressed in her christening dress.

Sadly this image lost a lot of the effect when re-sized to suit the web. I had purposely embedded a grain to give this photograph an antique feel to it…..lost in translation.

Nothing makes a kid feel safer or happier than dads shoulder.

Portrait of mum & Mia.

Now if you think the cake looks good, have a close look at the table behind.

That’s right, a candy bar, with more chocolate and sweets that you could ever want.

At the reception, we also found some time to take some portraits, Mia on her own.

Mia and her mother.

A fun shot, Mia & her grandmother playing in front of the mirror.

A hot day in Sydney today, and what cooler place to be than inside the sandstone Cathedral of the ‘Anunciation of Our Lady Theotokos’, you can feel the temperature drop simply by walking past the huge timber doors.

I was here for the baptism of Marley, who was going to be given the orthodox name Alexander. Just inside the doors is where the candle tray resides, here is Marley in his mums hands getting a little close to the flames.

As usual the service starts at the rear of the church where Satan is denounced.

Marley is covered in oil from head to toe, before being immersed in the Baptismal Font.

Inside the font, a black and white photograph of water being splashed over his head.

He then is anointed.

And his first offering to his faith, a lock of hair cut from four places on his head to resemble a cross.

Mother & son, in front of Mother & Son.

This brings a smile to my face what you looking at !!!!!

Marley is a real cutie, and had a very affectionate snuggle to both mum & dad.

Today I was at the Greek Orthodox Parish & Community of ‘St. Spyridon’ in Sydney to photograph the christening of Michael.

There are a number of items required for an orthodox christening, one of them is the oil that is used to cover the child before being immersed in the baptismal font. I’ve noticed recently that effort is being put into decorating the bottle that contains the oil, as seen here.

The priest will pour the oil into the godparents cupped hands, as the assistant brings the child to the baptismal font. I’ve photographed a lot of christenings, however it’s rare that there is a candle holder attached to the baptismal font as shown in this photograph.

The godparent starts with the child’s head and covers the entire body from tip to toe with the oil.

I usually only include one photograph of the child inside the baptismal font on my Sydney. As I captured two photographs with a bit of water motion in them, couldn’t decide which I preferred, so I’ve included both with different black & white treatment.

The last thing the priest does before the child is dressed, is place the first Cross on the child’s neck.

Mother & child, taken in front of Mother & Child.

Without a doubt, this would have to be the brightest christening cake I’ve had the pleasure to photograph.