It was an absolute pleasure to capture the intimate gathering for Ari’s christening.

Those close to him gathered at the family home while he had his morning nap before heading to St Kieran’s Catholic Church for his christening.

As I was so warmly invited into their home, it’s a beautiful thing to see the family gathered around the table and catching up. The act of sitting around a table and talking might seem rather ordinary but this simple connection is essential to our human story. I never tire of seeing it.

Ari’s christening clothing and details where gathered in one place so I could start photographing those when I arrived.

Photographing the details as soon as I arrive, such as the gown/suit, candle, crucifix, towels, shoes etc.. is a good way to have all those small moments photographed to be woven into the great story but it’s also a nice gentle way to have everyone in the home to get used to my presence.

I am very mindful that having a professional photographer with two big cameras around is not a normal thing for most people. I always aim to introduce my presence with cameras gradually rather than come in hot and start clicking away in peoples faces.

Ari is dressed by his darling Godparents before having his parents step into help get those last few stubborn buttons done up. These moments are so darling in how Ari was taking it all in while four grown ups navigate all the parts of that oh-so-cute suit of his to get it looking perfect.

There’s a quick round of family photos with his parents, Godparents, grandparents and cousins before heading to St Kieran’s Catholic Church for his christening ceremony.

Getting some family photos before leaving for the church is always a good idea because it’s usually when your little one is most settled and feeling fresh after a nap.

Father Wilson delivered another beautiful ceremony at his parish of St Kieran’s Catholic Church in Tuart Hill. He’s always so kind and patient with the families and you can tell he deeply loves what he does.

One thing I do love about christenings at St Kieran’s is how they are efficient but very heartfelt. Their ceremonies go for approximately 20 minutes even when there is more than one child receiving baptism.

With the ceremony completed, there is another round of family photos in the church as the weather was a little sketchy outside, before Ari and his family headed off to Birraz Ristobar for an incredible celebratory lunch.

The beauty of photographing christenings lies not just in the sacred rituals but also in the nuanced interactions and personal stories that unfold throughout the day.

As a photographer and consumer of the human story I cannot love this more. 

Christenings are celebrations of new beginnings. They mark a hopeful start and a welcoming into a larger community. The opportunity to gather together to support and nurture a child in their beginnings of life is a beautiful and important thing.

From the getting ready at home to the backdrop of Perth’s wondrous churches, the combination of the symbolic rituals of each faith and the connection of those present to the child is a true privilege to photograph.

While the overall structure of a christening is steeped in tradition, there is always the presence of spontaneity waiting in the periphery.  There are no guarantees of how a child will react to everything which is happening around and to them on their day.  Some children take it all in their stride while some find it a little overwhelming.  The important thing to remember is that it’s perfectly OK for your child to react in any way they do because it’s a lot for a little person all in one day.