Funeral Photos

Hebridean

Hebridean

Messages
134
Name
Ruairidh
Edit My Images
Yes
I have been asked to shoot a couple of photos of a Funeral tomorrow for a Newspaper as we do not have a 'Press Photographer' in this part of the Isles and the funeral is of great media interest.

The Funeral is of a boy who was Murdered in the Western Isles. The first murder in about 40 years to happen in this area.

Im just looking for general advice from people who may have done this before, or know about how to deal with it.
I do not want to get in the way with anything, so i shall be shooting from a distance and try and be as discrete as possible.

Any other advise would be great thanks.
 
i asked the Funeral Company [at my elderly Aunts funeral] if i could take a few of the coffin and flowers before the coffin was removed from the hearse

therefore there were actually no people in the images - so no intrusion i felt

the photos were printed and given to her fellow neighbors in her Rest Home who had all contributed to the flowers, but were unable to attend

they were well received - so glad i did

ask permission of Directors and Family, dont be intrusive, and should be ok
 
I shot Gerard Kelly's funeral. I just followed what others were doing. I imagine that with it being this particular story you'll be shooting alongside at least a few other experienced pros. My advice, keep your distance, maybe try to avoid flash as that could be more 'invasive'. You won't get near the inside of the church (I imagine) so you'll be getting mourners - parents etc in particular - and the coffin going between church n car. Personally I'd probably leave it at that n avoid going to the grave, if it's all in the one place etc then you know, play it by ear and allow them a bit of privacy.
 
This is my personal thoughts and obviously I don't know the situation.

first of all if they really wanted photographs they would send a press photographer, so it is not high priority for the newspapers

But most importantly I think you run the risk of upsetting and alienating yourself from the mourners at the funeral and the community, for very little gain. Personally I would not touch this job with a barge pole and they are that desperate they will send somebody.

Just my thoughts and as I say I don't know that full story.

Stuart
 
Hebridean said:
I have been asked to shoot a couple of photos of a Funeral tomorrow for a Newspaper as we do not have a 'Press Photographer' in this part of the Isles and the funeral is of great media interest.

The Funeral is of a boy who was Murdered in the Western Isles. The first murder in about 40 years to happen in this area.

Im just looking for general advice from people who may have done this before, or know about how to deal with it.
I do not want to get in the way with anything, so i shall be shooting from a distance and try and be as discrete as possible.

Any other advise would be great thanks.
Click to expand...

Sensitivity is the watchword here, especially if you are a local. I dare say you could long-lens the family, but I know at least one agency tog round here that would just run in and stick a camera in their faces.....:shake:
 
Ooh, hats off to you for being willing to do it.

I know I would feel very uncomfortable shooting a funeral, even shooting from a good distance.

Discretion is key I think, the family and funeral directors may know why you are there, but other people attending may not.
 
Stuart,
The Press photographer who covers this part of the Western Isles is not able to come down to photograph it and as i know him, he passed on my details. For them to send another photographer from the mainland would be £400+ Costs for them.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/dec/11/liam-aitchison-murder-stormoway-lewis
Thats the story, mainly its the first murder in 40 years.

I was thinking of either using my 70-200 or 70-300. Preferable just a few shots of the coffin going from Church to Car (as said) / a few of family around it and leave it at that, i would only be around 5-10 minutes maximum.

The last funeral i attended where a young fellow (21) had died their was Press at it. That was just an unfortunate accident. I heard nobody complain then about a Photographer/Videographer attending.
 
Yeah I wouldn't be too worried about intruding/causing alienation. It's well known how big a deal the murder is so I think press will be expected.

As you've said, tele lens, get a few snapped off and then head off and you'll be fine.
 
TinaC said:
I would suggest Ruairidh, that if there were no interest shown in poor Liam's death, the family would feel truly abandoned by the world.

As said, Long lens and speed should be well tolerated.
Click to expand...

At the risk of playing devils advocate, I dont know and haven't read of this story. Saying the family would feel abandoned by the world with no interest from the press seems to go in the face of the current leveson inquiry, the McCanns are one example where it could be used or abused. As I say, just playing devils advocate so no offence meant. Sensitivity is the key word for me.

Hope it goes ok for all concerned.

Phil.
 
While I don't know that I agree with Tina's comment - maybe more I don't fully understand it - I'd expect that the community as a whole will be aware of how newsworthy and significant the funeral will be and as such would be tolerant of respectful photography.

I suppose though that the OP is best placed to know what the feelings of the community are like since he is part of it.
 
Setting aside the sensitivity issues (ie take them for granted) what you basically need is a shopping list of shots..

Firstly:
Landscape
Portrait
Tight
And
Wide


One of each.

Hearse arriving, preferably with a shot of the flowers especially if they are the "SON" "BELOVED" type.
Shot of the Paul bearers carrying the coffin.
Shot of the parents arriving or (better) leaving the church.
Wide shot of the funeral cortege - if there is one.
Shot of the mourning community.

This isn't easy work and you have to remain detached to do it.

Don't get in people's faces, and leave the mourners their dignity, but if in doubt get the shot and delete it later if needed; ie if you take the job on, do it properly.

Go to the Press Complaints Commission website and read the Editors Code in advance, especially with reference to privacy and bereavement.

Lastly, if this will place you in any jeopardy with the community that you live in, don't do it!
 
Last edited:
Thanks all

I was told that the Paper is only looking for a few shots of it:

Carrying the Coffin, with the Father at the front (Thats the norm for funerals here) as a Landscape type shot for a page spread
A couple of general photos of family members coming out of the church .
And a shot of the mourning community as you said.

Thanks for the Info Mark.
 
I'm not sure whether or not you should listen to this advice, but ill give you my 2 cents.

Get a telephoto lens and stay the F*** out of everyones way. Atleast a 70-300, perhaps even a 100-400. The last funeral I went to, (My Auntie Debbie, R.I.P), I was so shell shocked and emotional even looking up was hard for me to do without wanting to cry. Just stay well back, use the focal length to your advantage and get some truly inspiring shots. Don't forget to shoot them arriving, the casket etc etc.
 
DemiLion said:
Setting aside the sensitivity issues (ie take them for granted) what you basically need is a shopping list of shots..

Firstly:
Landscape
Portrait
Tight
And
Wide


One of each.

Hearse arriving, preferably with a shot of the flowers especially if they are the "SON" "BELOVED" type.
Shot of the Paul bearers carrying the coffin.
Shot of the parents arriving or (better) leaving the church.
Wide shot of the funeral cortege - if there is one.
Shot of the mourning community.

This isn't easy work and you have to remain detached to do it.

Don't get in people's faces, and leave the mourners their dignity, but if in doubt get the shot and delete it later if needed; ie if you take the job on, do it properly.

Go to the Press Complaints Commission website and read the Editors Code in advance, especially with reference to privacy and bereavement.

Lastly, if this will place you in any jeopardy with the community that you live in, don't do it!
Click to expand...


This is the best advice you could be given.

Nice one Mark. :thumbs:
 
Hi Ruairidh

Can't offer you any advice on the photography side, sorry, the advice you've already got seems sound to me.

Just thought I'd post to say well done for agreeing to take some shots of what is a difficult occasion (whatever the reasons) and I hope everything goes okay for all concerned...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top