Ethical Question

[ShutteredEye]

Is it appropriate to take photos during graveside services at DFW National Cemetary?

I am acquainted with the family, and I think they might really appreciate a photo or two of the ceremony. But I don't want to be inappropriate or disrespectful...

Thoughts?

[Rson]

Use Long lens and I don't see the issue. Maybe a photo journalistic approach.

I would ask first though.

[ngoduyviet]

I personally don't think it's inappropriate or disrespectful as long as you do it discreetly & as unobtrusive as possible. It might be a cultural difference thing, but I know Vietnamese services, they don't mind you shooting at all and greatful for any pictures you give them afterwards even if you are someone they barely know.

[CobyPhoto]

If done as suggested, it isn't an ethical issue any more as much as it is what the family of the deceased desires. If you don't want to ask them personally, I would ask someone close to them that isn't as emtionally invested. If they think it would be a good idea, or if they can talk to the family, then I would go with that answer.

You never really know how someone will react in this situation. Above all, it is about their desires and if they are comfortable with this.

CJ

[toverman]

Ask first, shoot pictures later in this case. They may be touched, or they may be horrified.

[mdurisseau]

I have to agree with CJ...I've done this about 4 times over the past year, and being 'unseen' as much as possible is the way to go...permission would not be a bad thing, either...

[carrbowl]

you might do a search...we've had this discussion before and there were some very good pros and cons about photos at a funeral..

[JPalmer]

Just ask the family.

Tell them that you, being a photographer, would like to capture this important event in their lives for them. If they balk, tell them that you completely understand and offer your condolences again saying that this was the best way I could think of to do something for you.

It's a 50/50 at best.

Who cares what everyone else in attendance thinks... they didn't lose their loved one.

Oh... and if you do get to, don't hammer the shutter for the entire service. Go single shot... and pick your moments. Sometimes being obtrusive is blasting a burst of 10 photos.

[ShutteredEye]

All good thoughts. I ended up just leaving my camera at home. I should have thought about it much sooner and talked to them about it, but it was too much to spring it on them at the service.

[SCone]

Years ago, a friend of mine took pictures of his wife at a funeral.... her's!!! Freaked me out. I've seen people take pictures of the flowers, casket and stuff, but I've never seen someone walk up to the casket and take a shot of the body. When he passed away his son asked me to take the same picture for him.

Still bugs me when I run across the pic in my files.

[onewingedangel73106]

Stephen its actually not as unusual as you would think to take pictures of a close loved one who has passed I have copies of pictures that my stepgrandmother took of my grandfather at his funeral that I treasure.

[hbwise]

My 2 cents worth. My mom passed away in early Dec. I took the cameras with because I always do. I had my niece and son take pictures of the families at the viewing the evening before the service. I have five brothers and sisters and figured this might be the last time we were all in the same place until it is one of us in the casket. A few eyebrows got raised at first, but once I explained why I wanted the photos, no one objected. I was uneasy at first about the pictures, but the more I thought about it the more I wanted a picture of my Mom. I don't have any of my Dad at his funeral. Now I wish I had them.

[MicWayWal]

I am a photographer. It is what I do. And its what people expect me to do. Taking photographs is totally appropriate in this situation and most situations of our lives as long as our intentions and objectives are upright and honorable. We provide a unique opportunity for people to remember the important moments in our lives that would fade if not recalled by a captured image.

Taking pictures of the deceased is not unusual at all. I know photographers in the German communities near New Braunfels Texas did this all the time. When a loved one died they would gather the family together, and literally prop the deceased up in their open casket standing on its end and a professional photographer would take their last family portrait. In the old West sometimes it was the only picture taken of a person in their entire life.

You shouldn't get in there and disrupt the moment PJ it all up. Taking discrete pictures with a long lens is appreciated more than you know by the family. Offer it ever chance you get.