Baptism Photography at St. Athanasios Church in Paramus, NJ: A Family Celebration
Being a photographer means I get invited into people’s most meaningful moments, weddings, first birthdays, family reunions. But every now and then, I get to turn the lens toward something that hits closer to home.
Photographing my niece’s baptism was one of those moments.
The ceremony took place at St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church in Paramus, New Jersey on an early afternoon filled with light and anticipation. Afterwards, we celebrated at Seasons Catering in Washington Township, complete with incredible food and enough Greek dancing to keep the floor full for hours.
It was a day rooted in tradition, filled with family, and energy, and I’m so grateful I got to document it.
The Ceremony at St. Athanasios
St. Athanasios is a beautiful space. The walls are covered in vibrant iconography, the architecture is classic, and the early afternoon light streaming in through the windows gave the entire ceremony a soft, golden glow.
As friends and family filtered into the pews, the atmosphere settled into something that felt both intimate and meaningful.
My niece wore a timeless white christening gown, delicate and simple, with just enough detail to make it special. She was expressive and alert through the ceremony, responding to the sounds, the faces, and the moments unfolding around her. You could tell she was taking it all in, in her own way.
Greek Orthodox baptisms are rich with symbolism, from the blessing of the oil to the immersion in the baptismal font. Every step has significance, and it’s always an honor to photograph these kinds of ceremonies.
But photographing this one, for my own niece, made me pause a little longer behind the camera. I wasn’t just documenting tradition. I was preserving a piece of our family’s story.
Noticing the In-Between
While I always make sure to capture the key moments, the blessing, the immersion, the candle lighting, I’m equally drawn to the in-between ones.
A godparent smoothing the folds of the gown. A soft look between siblings. A quiet breath just before a prayer begins. These are the details that bring a story to life.
There’s a photo I took just after the baptism, when my niece was wrapped in towels and being held close. Her expression was so open, not posed, not planned, just a moment of connection. That’s the kind of photo that feels real long after the day is over.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that these fleeting little glances and gestures often become the most treasured images. They’re small, but they’re honest.
The Reception at Seasons Catering
Following the ceremony, everyone made their way to Seasons Catering in Washington Township for the reception. I’ve worked events there before, but walking in and seeing it filled with our family and friends gave it a different energy.
Seasons always delivers, elegant without being too formal, with warm service and amazing food (and yes, I made time for a few bites in between photos).
The tone shifted right away. Guests gathered at their tables, conversations flowed easily, and the celebration began. And then came the dancing.
A Proper Greek Celebration
Once the music started, the dance floor stayed busy, and that was the real highlight of the afternoon.
Traditional Greek dancing brought everyone together: grandparents, cousins, toddlers, aunts, uncles. Whether you were leading the line or jumping in for the first time, the energy was the same, joyful, loud, and nonstop.
There’s something about those long dance circles, the clapping, the spinning, the laughter, it’s community in motion. I moved around the edge of the floor, capturing both the full view and the smaller expressions: the proud smile of a grandfather watching his grandkids dance, the hands held in rhythm, the shared glances between generations.
It wasn’t just dancing, it was storytelling.
Photographing for My Own Family
Photographing your own family can be a bit of a balancing act. You want to stay professional, get the shots, manage the lighting, anticipate the key moments, but you’re also emotionally connected to what’s happening. You know the people in front of the lens. You’ve grown up with them.
That said, it didn’t feel like pressure. It felt like privilege.
I moved through the day just like I would with any other client, quietly, carefully, looking for genuine moments. But this time, I also got to jump into a group shot or share a laugh in between frames. I didn’t feel like I had to separate myself from the event. If anything, photographing it helped me feel even more present.
What These Photos Will Mean
In the moment, it’s easy to get caught up in logistics, who's holding the baby, which camera card I’m on, when the light’s changing. But when I sat down later to go through the gallery, I realized just how full the day really was.
There were the big, ceremonial moments, yes, but also hundreds of small, meaningful ones that made the day feel layered and personal.
These photos are more than just documentation. They’re part of our family’s collective memory now. My niece won’t remember this day, but she’ll see it. She’ll grow up looking at these images and knowing she was surrounded by people who showed up for her from the very beginning.
Final Thoughts
This day was many things, spiritual, joyful, energetic, rooted in tradition, and full of celebration. But for me, it was mostly about connection.
Photographing my niece’s baptism reminded me why I love what I do, because I get to freeze moments like this, both for clients and, sometimes, for the people I love most.
To my niece: you handled a big day with personality and presence. To my family: thank you for letting me be both the photographer and the proud Theia. And to anyone planning a baptism in North Jersey or New York City, whether it’s traditional, modern, or something in between, I’d be honored to help you capture it.
Big moments deserve to be remembered, and all the little ones in between do, too.
