greek orthodox baptism have lately become one of our favorite events to shoot. alex and i always talk for hours after each one. we talk about culture and family traditions, and sacred rituals that we, in our canadian culture, lack. i am american and alex is pure ‘mangia cake’ (canadian). what is our culture, we ask ourselves? what traditions do we have that bring people together to celebrate? what traditions do we have that symbolize spirituality? ok sure, being part irish (way back when) leads me to an impartial love of potatoes but that’s about it. we always leave these kinds of events making a pact that we, as a new family, will create new traditions ourselves. games night with the kids once a week is more our thing but at least it does represent family. =) popcorn and treats is our communion together but it does represent a bond that cannot easily be broken! i like the idea of burying time capsules once a year with family photos and stuff inside.so anyway, i digress…this particular baptism was for marinella. we have had the amazing opportunity to photograph this family three times. 1- cathy’s maternity shoot, 2- newborn photos and now 3- baptism. how can i even put into words how incredibly honored we are to be part of this family? we have gotten to know cathy & demitri so well along the way, we are happy to call them friends. to be allowed to be a part of such important times in people’s lives is why we do what we do. this is when our job is so much more than just a job. it is remarkably rewarding and i thank both cathy and demitri for allowing us this opportunity of friendship.now introducing marinella…

this face is priceless! at-ti-tude! she is saying “listen punk, if you take one more photo of me…”

she kinda looks like she is smiling but no, it is crying for sure. any baby being fully dunked three times… it’s crying for sure.the god mother gets to hold the newly baptized infant.this shot was actually preplanned a bit. we have shot in this very church with this very priest for mya’s baptism so we knew he was going to do this. love the smoke action. by the way, these were all shot in black and white very purposfully. we think it always adds feeling to an old tradition. also, bxw helps focus on what’s going on rather than the colors in the image.awww, wittle pumpkin:cathy & demitri, thank you again for letting us into your lives. you have shown us friendship and true spiritually that is quite convicting. congratulations on your beautiful girl, and a beautiful baptism day. please come by the studio lots & lots so i can cuddle marinella.