First Communion

 

First Communion is a ceremony in some Christian traditions during which a person first receives the Eucharist. In churches that celebrate First Communion, it typically occurs between the ages of seven and thirteen, often acting as a rite of passage. 

With this lovely young girl, her mother wanted photographs to document her daughters milestone moment. Initially to create outright contrast, we shot on the solid black backdrop, making her ivory dress, fair skin, pink bouquet and red hair really stand out.

Colorization is when we put the image in Black and White or Sepia and pop out something in color. These images works well in classic Black and White with the bouquet in color, making the bouquet of flowers pop out even more. 

Switching up the backdrops, we shot on some vintage formal backdrops which were more than appropriate for the outfit and theme of the shoot. Additional elements like the Bible, her matching ivory purse and sash as well as the Roman-style column bring in a dynamic element that avoids being too busy thanks to the analogous color scheme.  

While we naturally achieved the classic portraits desired, we wanted to experiment with unconventional lighting and poses to make this First Communion shoot more than traditionally elegant, have an element of high fashion. 

The backlight behind the figure normally illuminates around the edges, giving an avant-garde style effect however when used behind her voluminous white skirt and hanging veil, a glowing, almost heavenly effect was created; perfect for the shoots religious motif.

Using a prop like the bouquet of flowers to cover half the face, only revealing the eyes, again brings in a mysterious, editorial element to what would normally be considered a classical type photoshoot. 

By the end of the shoot, I wanted to take the format experimentations further still and execute one of my favorite types of poses- ones of movement where the model sashays their dress and twirls around like a dancer; this manner of shooting allows for a tempting freedom as director/photographer as well as an exciting surprise when a movement shot comes out perfectly.   

The way she lifted the skirt and moved it from side to side so gracefully along with her face peering into the camera like a professional model so thoughtfully produced several shots that not only marked this special occasion of her First Communion but did so in a beautiful, unique and artistic way.