London Christening Photographer | Christening at Westminster Hall
Christening Photography at Westminster Hall
Recently, I have had the great honour and privilage of photographing a christening at Westminster Hall (Parlament). It was a drizzly Saturday morning, I arrived early so I decided to walk around Parlament square as I haven’t visited in ages. It was surprisingly empty and quiet. I really enjoyed seeing the newly renovated Big Ben (that’s how long I haven’t seen it up close!), and various bronze sculptures on Parlament Square - Winston Churchill, Mahatma Ghandi, Viscount Palmerston, Nelson Mendela and others. I have never been inside Westminster Hall, so I was excited to go in. After a security check, and a short walk down a few corridors, I was inside this historical medieval hall. I was struck by how grand, how beautiful and how significant this building was. Plaques describing various prime ministers and royals who addressed the Parlament, or lay in state were dotted in various places on the stone floor. Beautiful stained glass windows were letting light of different colour through, and the arching hammer-beam roof stretching above me was truly impressive. I had to shake off the tourist inside me, and head over to St Mary Undercroft chapel where I was going to photograph one of life’s most significant milestones, a little boy’s christening. Working as London christening photographer, I understand the importance of these moments and strive to capture them in a way that tells a beautiful, timeless story while documenting the important moments of the day. I met an official from Westminster Hall who explained the rules and gave me guidance on where the christening will be held, where I was able to photograph from, and where the group shots would be taking place after the ceremony. I was eager to enter the chapel and start photographing the ceremony.
Chapel of St Mary Undercroft Christening Ceremony
The christening ceremony at St Mary Undercroft Chapel at Westminster Hall offers a stunning and intimate setting for such a christening. As soon as I entered the chapel, I was taken aback by its breathtaking beauty. Nestled beneath the historic halls of Westminster, this hidden gem radiates a serene, sacred atmosphere. From the quiet elegance of the chapel’s medieval architecture to the soft glow of candlelight, every detail is carefully crafted to create the perfect environment for a child’s baptism. Unfortunately, photography rules prevent me from sharing any of the photographs from the ceremony but I hope to give you an insight of my working style in the post below.
Photography Coverage for Your Christening Ceremony
As your dedicated christening photographer, I use documentary-style photography to bring out the emotional depth of your child’s christening day. The photography coverage begins with photographing the anticipation before the ceremony – the family arriving, the baby in their christening attire, and the serene moments of prayer and reflection. I make sure to document the small details that often go unnoticed but are so important: the lace of the christening gown, the comforting hands of the parents, and the warmth of the congregation.
Throughout the ceremony, I am there to discreetly capture the key moments: the baby being presented for baptism, the water being gently poured, the moment of blessing, and the smiles of the godparents and family members. The focus is always on authenticity, ensuring that every genuine smile, tear, and moment of connection is preserved.
Photography Coverage of the Reception
Once the christening was complete, we walked out into the main hall to take a few group photos, with the whole chritening party standing on the grand staircase with tainted windows behind.
With group shots finished, we walked a short walk to the reception venue, not too far from the Houses of Parlament. As soon as I entered the reception venue, I noticed the mood shift from reverent to joyful as family and friends gathered to celebrate the child’s new beginning. Here, I focused on documenting the candid moments: laughter, hugs, toasts, and the joy shared between loved ones.
I took care to photograph both wide shots of the venue, capturing the atmosphere, as well as intimate portraits of the family, friends, and baby. The subtle details like the cake, decorations, and family heirlooms were also captured so that every element of the day was preserved in a set of photographs the family will cherish in many years to come.
Below is a small selection of photographs from the reception venue - I hope you enjoy viewing them.
Booking Your Christening Photography Coverage
Booking your christening photography coverage with Mina Milanovic Photography is easy and straightforward. I understand that each family has unique needs, and I will work with you to tailor a package that best suits your vision. To begin, simply reach out via the contact form on my website, and I will get in touch to discuss your event. Whether you’re looking for full coverage from the preparation through to the reception, or a more intimate package focused on the ceremony, I’ll ensure your photos are a true reflection of your special day.
London and Surrey Christening Photographer
Hi, I am Mina Milanovic, a Surrey-based family and pet photographer with a passion for capturing life’s most meaningful moments. With years of experience photographing weddings, baptisms, and family events, I specialise in a documentary style of photography that focuses on the real, raw emotions of each moment. My goal is to provide you with a beautiful collection of images that you and your family will treasure for years to come. I pride myself on my unobtrusive approach, ensuring that I capture the day as it unfolds naturally, without interrupting the flow of your special occasion. Let me help you tell your story.
London Family Photographer | Baptism in St James Church in Twickenham
One of the things I really love about my job is the constant variety of jobs I get exposed to. Whether it is a wedding, a newborn baby photoshoot, a family photo session or a pet photography session - they each represent a set of different challenges which I enjoy tackling and learning from.
Baptism and Christening Photographer
I really enjoy photographing baptism or christening services. As a christening photographer, I draw from my experience photographing weddings, and families. Similarly to a wedding ceremony, a baptism service has its own pace, and a set of rituals, all of which happens quickly and without repeat. So there are no second chances! I therefore have to work quickly, moving around to find the best angle and making sure those special, fleeting moments are captured. I draw from my family photography experience to capture those little smiles, glances, and connections between family members. This experience also comes in handy when I have to direct larger groups for those very important group shots at the end of the ceremony!
London Christening Photographer
I was recently commissioned to photograph a Baptism in St James Church in Twickenham. This is a beautiful Roman Church, set in a quiet residential area. The baptism ceremony was a part of the Sunday mass, and so the main challenge was to photograph descretly and only the family of my client, which involved identifying the area of movement which gave enough coverage but was not obtrusive to others.
The church was beautiful inside, with exposed wooden beams, and stained windows letting in lots of light through.
My clients whom I photographed at St James Church in Twickenham asked me not to post their photos on my website and social media, to respect their privacy. So, I apologise for not being able to share those particular photos. However… You can see below a selection of photos from a different christening service, to give you a flavour of the types of moments captured during a ceremony.
If you would like to see more photos, please visit my recent blog posts here and here.
Fees
My fees for baptism or christening photography services are £195 per hour with 2h minimum booking. The fee includes:
A pre-consultation. I am happy to give you a call or arrange FaceTime to meet and discuss your requirements
My time on the day
A selection of 100+ professionally-edited photos on a beautifully presented memory drive
My travel costs. I work across London, Surrey and the South East. I travel free of charge 30 miles from where I live, and I am happy to go further afield for an additional travel fee
I also provide album-design services which are charged at an additional cost.
Booking
Booking for a christening or baptism service is easy! Contact me by email at info@minamilanovic-photography.com, call on 07793 677 867 or use the contact form on my website, and tell me a little bit about yourself and when you would like the photoshoot to take place.