Photos during Mass?

[Among_Strangers]

My SDW (that’s SUPER Dear Wife! ) is quite the photographer. I really love the ascetics of our church and want to ask her to get some photos.

I know I’ll need to ask the pastor first, but if it’s a situation where it would be inappropriate to even ask him I’d rather not.

Is it OK to take photos during mass?

As the processional cross moves in front of the large picture window it gets silhouetted against this life sized marble statue of St. Joseph holding the infant Jesus I notice how beautiful it is every time I see it.

When our Priest holds up the Sacrament during the Great Amen the light catches and the gold reflections are stunningly beautiful.

We have awesome stained glass and as the sun is setting the colors bounce off the very large Stations of the Cross relief’s.

Anyway. I think she could easily make a Church Calendar for the KoC or other groups looking to raise money, etc.

But - OK or not OK to even ask?

 

[jpjd]

1. It’s OK to ask the pastor, but be prepared for a negative answer. I’m not saying it’s a given he will say no, but a “yes” answer is not a shoo-in. The fact that you would be doing it to make a KofC calendar, rather than for your own purposes, is more likely to gain his approval.
2. If he does allow pictures, I imagine he will want it without flash. Flash is very distracting.
3. How many Masses will you want to do this at? You really only have one chance to get a good shot of the processional or the elevation of the Host and Chalice, but to get multiple opportunities for a good shot your wife may have to take pictures at several Masses. It’s possible your pastor won’t want this to be an on-going situtation.
4. Can your wife be discreet in her positioning so worshippers are not bothered? If she has to be in the middle of the aisle to get a shot of the elevation of the Host and Chalice, that would be extremely distracting. Or if she has to move from location to location within the church to position herself for different shots, that would be distracting.

Having said all that, I think a calendar of such pictures would be wonderful, a real treasure for your church. Good luck!

 

[SMHW]

Most parishes I know of allow photography by professionals for certain limited occasions even if they don’t generally allow photos during Mass for other reasons. Is your wife a “professional” photographer? If so I’m guessing she knows how to be as invisible and unobtrusive as possible

This seems like it might be one of those occasions that where photography is warranted. I think it’s a reasonable request to make of your pastor. He may not say yes but I wouldn’t think it would be overstepping any bounds to ask.

 

[saskatoon]

I agree with asking the pastor about taking pictures. I think most would say yes. Maybe take advantage of special occasions like first communion to get pictures of the Blessed Sacrament when every parent is doing the same. If you want general pictures of the church why not stay after mass and ask if the lights by the alter can be turned back on and click away. If you have a smaller church maybe you could barrow the key from someone (a board member) and take your time with the pictures. Maybe your wife could use some of her pictures to sell to the church. Calender, cards, etc… and donate all or some of the sales to the church.

Best of luck getting permission. Post some photos!

 

[puzzleannie]

My
I know I’ll need to ask the pastor first, but if it’s a situation where it would be inappropriate to even ask him I’d rather not.

Is it OK to take photos during mass? ?

in this parish, absolutely not. There are rules for where photographers may work and what they may film during weddings and 15ths, but during Mass, no, not even for first communion. Father will pose for pictures with the children after Mass. No photos. No flash. No video. Nada. None. Exception is once a year in each parish Mass is videotaped by a professional for airing on Public TV.

 

[lizaanne]

Our parish has an official photographer - she has approval from our priest, and does more than just take photos, she also documents the life of the parish.

Here is Diane’s wonderful blog: Te Deum laudamus!

She is the ONLY one allowed to take photos during Mass, and she does not do this all the time, only for special occasions.

I think allowing a parishoner to take photos for their own use or own hobby is inviting disaster. You open the door to other requests and the possibility of abuse of the Mass. The desire to take pretty pictures is not an appropriate or valid reason to allow this, unless Father decides that your wife would be the ONLY one to take photos and declines all other requests.

Our priest is EXTREMELY strict about this.

Slippery slope - but Father’s call certainly.

~Liza

 

[jrabs]

My parish Priest does not allow flash photography during the mass. Not for weddings or any other sacrament.

Wise to ask what will fly or what will not, then respect the directive of your Priest.

 

[Appleby]

in this parish, absolutely not. There are rules for where photographers may work and what they may film during weddings and 15ths, but during Mass, no, not even for first communion. Father will pose for pictures with the children after Mass. No photos. No flash. No video. Nada. None. Exception is once a year in each parish Mass is videotaped by a professional for airing on Public TV.

Same in our parish. Father is emphatic when talking to parents of First Communion kids especially, as they frequently bring relatives along who have never been inside any public building before, judging by the way they behave. He said he has had these people come right up to the altar and try to rearrange the kids!

When I was at university I went on a round the world cruise and when we spotted people in bermuda shorts heading for a church we used to quickly pin on badges that said we were of some country other than America, as invariably these people (we had a very rude name for them) who would tromp down the aisles of cathedrals particularly flashing their cameras during High Mass were Americans… Oddly enough, today they are almost always Germans.

 

[Sugabee43]

This may be difficult to do, but there are probably some parishioners who would be willing…if Father says “no” to taking the shot during an actual Mass, maybe he would be willing to do a ‘re-enactment’ when no parishioners are present and the only ones involved would be the crucifer, the photographer, and Father. I know they are very much pressed for time these days, but if it’s for a good cause like the K of C, he may be willing. It’s all in the approach

 

[acadian]

I was asked by my childrens’ school to take pictures of them altar serving at Mass for a production the school was putting together. I asked Father first, and he was fine with it. Nothing much bothered him. However, I KNEW I was a distraction to the people at Mass and I didn’t want to draw undue attention to myself. I got a few usuable pictures, but without the flash and without walking around like I was at a photo shoot, it was difficult.

Good luck. The pictures you describe sound beautiful.