Greek Orthodox Baptism Photographer NJ — Evelina’s Baptism at St. Athanasios, Paramus
Last weekend I photographed Evelina’s Greek Orthodox baptism at St. Athanasios Church in Paramus, NJ. It also happened to be her first birthday, so Katerina and Vincent had a lot to celebrate and their whole family showed up for it.
If you're a Greek family in New Jersey or New York City planning a baptism, this one's for you.
What Happens After You Book
Once you book, I send over a questionnaire for the parents to fill out. It covers the full timeline of the day, any specific shots that are important to you, and anything personalized I should know about, a meaningful detail on the table, a family member flying in, whatever it might be. The more I know going in, the better.
Then about a week before the baptism, I get on a call with the family to go over everything. By that point I’ve reviewed the questionnaire and I come with any questions I still have. The goal is to make sure the day itself runs smoothly and nothing gets missed, not because we got lucky, but because we planned for it!
The Ceremony at St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church, Paramus NJ
St. Athanasios is a church I know well, I’ve photographed Greek Orthodox baptisms and weddings there many times, and I also have family who’ve celebrated there. Walking in for Evelina’s day I already knew the light, the layout, and exactly where I wanted to be at each point in the ceremony.
Joanna and Joe were Evelina’s godparents, and they took the role seriously, which made for great photos throughout. The moments at the font, the anointing, the first haircut, they were present for all of it in a way that came through in the images.
I still confirmed the guidelines with the priest before things got started, I always do regardless of how well I know a church.
What I Focus on as a Greek Orthodox Baptism Photographer
During the ceremony my main focus is the baby and the godparents. The baby is obviously the center of everything, but the godparents are where a lot of the most natural moments come from, they’re so locked in on what they’re doing that they forget the camera is there entirely.
The ceremony moves quickly and the sequence is consistent, so having photographed Greek Orthodox baptisms across Northern NJ and New York City I already know where to be before each moment happens.
With Evelina, one of my favorite parts was when she got dressed in her christening outfit after the immersion. She looked so cute, and there’s something about that moment, fresh from the font, all dressed up, that always photographs beautifully.
The Reception at Seasons Catering, Township of Washington NJ
The reception was at Seasons Catering in the Township of Washington, NJ. It was a daytime event, the party wrapped up around 4pm and it moved fast! The toasts were short, the food came out on time, and the dancing was pretty much nonstop from the start.
The dancing is always where some of the best candids come from, people are relaxed, the formality of the ceremony is behind everyone, and the generations all end up on the floor together. This one was no different.
Looking for a Greek Orthodox Baptism Photographer in NJ or NYC?
I’m Vic, and Victoria Matthews Photography is based in Northern New Jersey. I photograph Greek Orthodox baptisms throughout NJ and New York City, from Bergen County parishes to churches in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
If you’re planning a Greek baptism and want a photographer who knows how the day runs, feel free to reach out through the contact page to check availability.
