I've been doing photography for my church for about a week everynight cause we started services at night too. They are wanting these pics by next Tues. to put in a brochure. Sometimes I feel weird about using my flash when people are really being touched by His presence. But because we turn the lights mostly off there's really no way around it. Are there any techniques or advice that you could give about this?? Has anyone done these kinds of things before.

thanks-anya

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Hi! I am currently doing an assignment for a church. I hear ya about using flash. However, thankfully, the church I am photographing doesn't turn down the lights. I would speak with someone about that and just be honest and share your thoughts with them. Yes, it is about the worship service, first and foremost, but you are also doing them a SERVICE, and if they want good photos, I would ask them to turn the lights up a bit. Just my 2 cents. Good luck and let us know how it turns out! Post some if you get a chance!

I agree...just ask them if they can leave the lights up just for this one service. I wouldn't see it being a problem.

So ask them to turn the lights up a little and not use the flash or yes use the flash and hope no one will notice as much?

I do a lot of photography for my church, and thankfully we have a well-lit Sanctuary and bright lights. If it were dark, however, I still would not ever use flash during a worship service. If the pictures were needed that badly, either the lights would be turned up, or I'd ask a few people to hang around to recreate some of the scenes just for the brochure.

I think flash is very distracting during worship. And shutter clicks need to be minimal as well, and well-timed, so as not to distract people from the important reason they are there.

That said, good photographs of a worship service, I believe, can have their own impact on people, giving them that sense of worship far beyond the actual event. I took a photograph from above (way up in the balcony) of my church's "laying on of hands" ceremony in the commissioning of new elders, in which all the previous elders of the church are laying hands on the shoulders of the people in front of them, hundred of arms outstretched in a chain of arms leading directly to the new elders. It is a very moving image that really couldn't have been recreated in terms of the emotion. Again, I'm blessed with a bright church!

I did a few for my church. They wanted the one with everyone joining hands. This one was posed, and I had control of the lighting. I asked for all the lights to be on. The one from the back of the church was a test shot for the pastor with the children. They wanted some pictures of the pastor giving the children a message. I took those from the balcony. I shot these at ISO 800 2.8, at 1/30 second shutter. The think about church photography, is you need fast lenses.

Wow! Your comment really helps. Thanks.I guess I'm not the only one who feels it's distracting to use flash during worship.

Great demonstrations! Thanks Kari
I love the children pic!!

I think flash is very distracting during worship. And shutter clicks need to be minimal as well, and well-timed, so as not to distract people from the important reason they are there.


Well I guess the clicks won't matter during worship cause the music is loud and most of the time so are the people who are there too.

I, too, agree that flash during the service would be distracting. I have captured images for our church website. We meet in a high school auditorium and are blessed to have "stage lights". I was able to work with the technical team and have them bring up the back light and spot lights to get what we were looking for. It helps a TON to have the tech guys willing to help...they totally rock! The lenses that we used were the 70-200 2.8, 15-55 2.8 and 50 1.4. Here are a few... and more on the church website above.

Wow! Those are great! I love how the pictures look so natural.
Thanks for sharing!

+1 Those worship images are fantastic!

Aww, thanks ladies!!

I want to go to your church... it looks like fun! (Ok, I do like my church too... it is just different...)

I work in two churches, one in Santa Barbara and one in LA, and take photos all the time during services. I’ve used flash and not used flash depending on the time of day. Actually I’ve never asked anyone what I should do, and no one seems to care, but thats my church. My Pastor is always wanting pictures and says to do whatever. I try not to ever be distracting, but move anywhere I need to be to get the best shot. I have noticed that if you are confident and pretend like you know what you are doing, people don’t seem to mind.

Very nice image Shane... this shows a lot of emotion!

That's funny cause when you said fake it...I think that's exactly what I was doing. By posting this forum I've learned so much and feel even more confident than before. Thanks for sharing your pic and your thoughts.

I'm always shooting for my church as well...

and it really doesn't hurt to ask for lights when it's a necessity (especially since that you've been asked to take pictures). There always seems to be a situation where even high ISOs won't cut it, and those moments I politely ask for some lighting. Having been part of the same church for a long time, I know when the lighting will get hard to work with in advance, so I make sure that BEFORE an event or service that the lighting arrangements are made so that any extra "brightness" during a service isn't unexpected.

Depends on the mood of the church. I document a local church that has told me to do whatever is needed to get the shot. Fortunately, this church is well lit, the music is fairly loud, and a camera causes no distraction (I don't use flash if I don't have to).
A telephoto lens is almost a must, so you can shoot without interfering. I sometimes set a camera on the platform and do some time exposures just capture something different- no flash needed. Feel free to pm me if you'd like to chat more, I'd love to help.

Mark,
These are fantastic...love the lighting, mood...everything!