I would strongly recommend against it. With all due respect, the Mass is not a photo-op event. While there are events, such as wedding Masses and Baptisms (and Papal Masses) where photographs can be (and are) taken, a regular Sunday Mass needs to be respected. Your daughter is engaging in something sacred. While I realize that your enthusiasm regarding the matter, it is better to treat what she is doing as something important, dignified and solemn. Photography also can cause distractions and detract from why we are at Mass in the first place.
Yes, turn off the flash and don’t do anything that might disrupt the Mass, like standing up or stepping out into the aisle. Take a few quick pictures and then put the camera away. You can ask to take pictures with the priest in front of the altar after Mass.
I don’t have a problem with the professional photographer idea as long as the pictures are made available to all parents free of charge or very inexpensively. I don’t like the idea of saying to parents if you want a picture of your child’s First Communion the packages start at $45!
ask your pastor. In this diocese it is banned unless it is the Mass being taped for later broadcast on their TV station, or professional photographers at weddings–who operate under strict parameters. Yes many people break the rule before the ushers can stop them, but that does not make it okay to turn the Mass into a private entertainment. Ask Father to pose with the servers for a picture before or after Mass.
I was going to say, why not video record it instead (with permission, of course) There are lots of youtube Masses these days, if you wish to put it there.
My personal opinion is that the strict “no pictures” policy is really in place for other reasons, usually to prevent documentation of things being done or not done per the GIRM. We are not talking about 65 people all trying to take pictures like during First Holy Communion. We are talking about ONE parent who can quickly take one or two pictures (no flash) during the Preparation of the Gifts, or some other time other than the Consecration. Best done while everyone else is also standing, and no one will notice. The Professional Photos are in one way or another a money making deal, unless as I said each family get one picture of each child free of charge.
same rules apply and there are also probably rules in your diocese about taping a Mass and broadcasting it elsewhere. in this parish an usher will politely ask you to put the camcorder away or take it from you
I also recommend against it because of the reasons that you cited. The Mass is not a photo-op event.
Hmmm…something tells me that might not go over too well.
I would think that might disrupt the Mass much more than a few pictures. When I have taken pictures (like when visiting the Eastern Churches), it was quick, no flash, not during the Consecration, and most important, practically no one knew I had taken any pictures. Then it was back to consentrating on the Liturgy.Hmmm…something tells me that might not go over too well.
