To Photograph, or Not to Photograph

A few weeks ago, I was asked to photograph a funeral service for an elderly man who was part of my church.  In the past, I've taken pictures at emotionally charged sporting events, weddings, and various other social events, but never a funeral.  This won't be my first funeral service I've been to, so I kinda had an idea of what to expect in terms of how people and the family would be feeling.  In fact, I've taken part in my own father's funeral service which was a glorious example of how a truly Godly man can positively impact so many lives.  Going into this funeral, I had no idea what type of obstacles I'd be facing.

February 12, 2011

In general, I love to take pictures that capture people's emotions and have the picture convey the subject's feelings.  So I love getting shots of people smiling, being surprised, and making goofy faces.  On the flip side, a picture of someone sad or crying can be powerful too.  As I was looking for great shots of the family, I found myself torn.  Torn because I was seeing and feeling the pain the family was going through through the camera lens, especially the widow.  I reached a point where I had to physical step out of the building because I felt wrong freezing the moments someone is so deeply sadden.  Is it right to preserve these moments of intense pain and anguish, when someone is so vulnerable?


Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8