First Communion

[RandySmith]

I think this thread belongs here, if not, I apologize for posting it here and please feel free to forward to another forum.

I've been asked by a co-worker to take photo's at his daughters first communion coming up at the end of the month. I've shot a couple of weddings, and I absolutely love doing portraits. My own assesment of my skill set and confidence level for weddings is between marginal to medium, of course I strive and want to be much better.

I haven't ever photographed, or even really been to a first communion, so I really don't know what to expect, what kind of pictures are typical, or any details that would probably be important for me to create some nice images for the dad. I'm going to try to google for some examples & ideas.

I have a variety of equipment:

1dmkII, 10d, 70-200 f2.8IS, 24-70 f2.8, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.8, 1-550ex, 2-440ex, st-e2, Novatron power pack & strobes ... so i believe I probably have necessary equipment to pull this off. Depending on what kind of photography is usual for this kind of event.

This event is going to occur in McKinney on the 29th of April, so I have some time to think this through a little.

Thanks for any thoughts/suggestions you might have.
Randy

[Orogeny]

First communion takes place during Mass and won't be like a wedding. You need to make sure that the pastor will allow photography at that time. If not, you can get some shots before Mass with the girl and her parents/family and afterwards get some shots on the altar with the priest.

If you are allowed to photograph during the Mass, you will almost certainly not be allowed to use a flash, so your 50 f/1.4 would likely be your best bet. But, again, since this will be during Mass, it will be crowded during communion, so it might be hard to get a good location to shoot from. If allowed, you need to get there early, speak with the priest and find a good place to shoot from.

Hope this helps.

Tim

[RandySmith]

Thank you Tim, yes I am planning on getting together with the dad to discuss trying to meet the priest and see what the church's feeling/rules are about photography beforehand. As well as scope out the church and get an idea of the ambient lighting, photo locations for the event, etc., I surfed the net and found a few sites that had some examples of some first communion portraits so that helps a little to give me an idea or two ...

Appreciate the thoughts.
Randy

[Erin Kathleen]

I agree with Tim that it's going to be challenging, but I think your 70-200/2.8 would give you the best shot at getting anything during the mass. I've never shot a first communion, but I know during a Catholic wedding mass, I can't get anything during communion. Most churches/priests won't allow you behind the priest at any time and I don't know of any Catholic churches that allow photographers on the alter. For that reason, you're shooting from the side or the back of the church so you can't get anything during communion b/c there's a line of people going up there. Assuming the restrictions are similar to a Catholic wedding, you might be able to get something if you'll allowed to stand off to the side with your 70-200, but you'll be a good ways away I would think. Most Catholic churches have very strict rules on where you can and cannot stand during a wedding so I would guess that's the same too - and you usually aren't allowed to move around much (if at all) during the mass and definitely not during communion. First Communions tend to be fairly busy and at least as full (in my experiences) as a Catholic wedding, so you can't count on it not being a croud.

Good luck! I think you could get some great images if the Church will let you. I'm just skeptical knowing what I've gone through at weddings trying to get anything during communions.

[RandySmith]

Thank you Erin, the dad assures me that photography won't be a problem, however, as we all know the churchthat leaders have different ideas that might change at the last minute. Hopefully, I'll have the opportunity to meet with the priest beforehand and get a sense of how he feels about the whole thing, maybe even ask him how other photographers have done this in the past, what his feelings regarding the matter, etc.

Thanks again.
Randy