LONDON christening PHOTOGRAPHER

Name: Andrea Whelan Photography
Price range: $$$

They won’t remember the day. That’s why I’m here.

baby looking up at parents during christening ceremony

Bobby being changed during orthodox christening ceremony

A calm presence on a very special day

the little moments are the ones you’ll treasure

IIf you’re looking for a London christening photographer, you probably want someone who quietly gets on with it, so you can actually be present for the day.

That’s exactly how I work.
I’ll be there for the ceremony and the gathering afterwards, staying out of the way during the service and following any photography rules your church or celebrant has in place.

Christening, baptism or naming ceremony, the moments that matter are often the small ones. A grandparent’s hand resting on a tiny head. The godparents trying very hard not to drop anyone. The baby who sleeps through the whole thing.

If that sounds like what you’re after, I’d love to hear from you.

My Approach to Christening Photography

I want to capture the day as it really felt

A christening goes by in a blur.

There’s the planning, the guests, the outfit you changed twice, and a little one at the centre of it all who has no idea what’s going on.

That’s what I’m drawn to.

Not just the ceremony itself, but everything around it. The quiet moments before the service starts. A grandparent watching from the pew. The water, the candles, the reaction nobody expected.

I work quietly and use only the light that’s there, so I’m never a distraction during the service. Whether your ceremony is Christian, Orthodox, Humanist or something else entirely, I’ll follow any guidance from your priest, vicar or celebrant and simply work around it.

I’ve been moved by every service I’ve photographed. They bring out the same emotions a wedding does, the joy, the nerves, the odd happy tear. I’m there for all of it.

The best compliment I get is when guests forget I’m there.

You’ll be so glad you have these.

Baptism ceremony in Finnish Church London

parents and priest standing outside Brompton oratory

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London Christening photography

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I’M ANDREA

London local. Passionate about capturing families.

I’m a London christening photographer based in Greenwich, South East London. My abiding memories of growing up were leafing through stacks of old family photo albums, memories and personalities frozen in time.

It gave me a nice feeling, and that’s something I haven’t lost. I want other people to feel it when they look at their photos. I want to capture your story, with you in it, so you, your children and your relatives can share in it too.

I’ve photographed hundreds of families since I started my business back in 2011. That’s everything from amazing home births to raucous 70th birthday parties, and a lot of christenings, baptisms and naming ceremonies in between.

ENQUIRE

Andrea Whelan behind the scenes photographer

KIND WORDS

Jamie

“Andrea is an amazing photographer. She took photos of our family christening. She was really professional and got in touch prior to the event to coordinate, making things run smoothly on the day. We love her photos, she took some beautiful posed and natural shots. Her photos are really creative and are such a wonderful way to capture the memories. Would definitely recommend!

Kate

“

HOW IT WORKS

01.

Secure Your Date

So you’ve had a look around and you know I’m the London christening photographer for you. You’ve got a feel for how I work and you’re ready to start planning.

Pricing is simple. There’s one christening package, which covers two hours on the day and every hand-processed image, so you don’t have to choose which moments to leave behind. If your celebration runs longer, extra hours can be added.

Use the contact form to get in touch with any questions and to check I’m free on your date.

02.

Planning your session

Once your date is booked, I’ll open your online client portal, where you’ll complete a short booking form. It helps me get to know your family and understand what’s planned for the day.

It’s a good idea to check with your vicar, priest or celebrant whether photography is allowed during the service, as every church has its own rules. I’ll work within them, whatever they are.

If you’d like some family group shots, we can set aside a little time before or after the ceremony. Just let me know who needs to be in them.

Cheeky boy is sitting on steps outside church.

child being blessed during Finnish Christening ceremony

03.

On the day

Every ceremony is different, and so is every baby. With all the attention on them, some sleep through the whole thing, some are unsettled by the change of scene, and some are in their absolute element.

Whatever happens, I’ll be there quietly catching the moments that matter, and there’ll be more of them than you’d imagine.

I carry the same approach into the celebration afterwards, so you’ll have the whole day as it unfolded, from the first guests arriving to the cake.

04.

After your session

II’ll hand-process the very best images from the day. Anything unflattering or less than lovely won’t make the cut.

Within 2–4 weeks you’ll receive a link to your private gallery, with a slideshow of the highlights followed by the full set of images, all yours to download.

The shop is open from the start too, so you can order prints, albums and frames whenever you’re ready.

group photo outside st Pauls cathedral after christening

Kind words

Kate

St Paul’s Cathedral

Andrea is an amazing photographer. She took photos of our family christening and was great with all the kids and captured some wonderful moments. She was really professional and got in touch prior to the event to coordinate, making things run smoothly on the day. We love her photos, she took some beautiful posed and natural shots. Her photos are really creative and are such a wonderful way to capture the memories. Would definitely recommend!

dove flying above heads during outdoor naming ceremony

Aerdin

Greenwich

We worked with Andrea recently for a last minute family event. The pictures she took were fabulous and really captured the essence of the day. She was extremely pleasant and professional on the day. 10/10 would recommend.

Kamila

Dormition Cathedral

Andrea photographed our daughter’s christening at Dormition Cathedral and we barely noticed her during the service, which is exactly what we wanted. She caught so many moments we missed, including family holding the baby for the first time. The gallery arrived quickly and every single photo is lovely. We’ve already ordered an album for both sets of grandparents.

INVESTMENT

Christening Photography – from £1,245

My christening photography is one simple package. There’s no session fee and no choosing between images. It covers two hours on the day, which is usually enough for the ceremony and the start of the celebration, plus every hand-processed image from it.

Brompton Oratory christening photographer

2 Hours

^£1,245

Every image from the day, nothing left behind.

Up to 2 hours of photography, ceremony and celebration
All hand-processed high-resolution digital images
Private password protected online gallery
Personal print release for home printing
Gallery ready within 2–4 weeks
Access to the full print shop, albums, frames and fine art prints
Extra hours available at £100 per hour

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FAQ

Got Questions?

In most cases, yes, but every church has its own rules. Some are happy for photos throughout, others ask for no photography during certain parts of the ceremony.

It’s worth checking with your vicar, priest or celebrant early on. Whatever they say, I’ll work within it, and there’s always plenty to capture before and after.

No. I only use the light that’s there, which keeps me quiet and unobtrusive during the service and means your little one won’t be startled.

Churches often have beautiful, soft light, and candlelit ceremonies look especially lovely.

For most christenings, yes. Two hours usually covers the ceremony, some family photos and the start of the celebration afterwards.

If you’d like me to stay longer, extra hours are £100 each and can be added before or on the day.

Absolutely. I’ve photographed Christian, Orthodox and Humanist ceremonies, as well as naming days that aren’t religious at all.

Whatever your ceremony looks like, I’ll approach it with the same care and respect.

Of course. Send me a list of the groups you’d like before the day, and we’ll set aside a little time before or after the ceremony.

I keep them quick and relaxed, so nobody’s standing around for long and you can get back to your guests.

Your images will be ready in a private online gallery within 2–4 weeks.

You’ll be able to download every image in high resolution, share the gallery with family, and order prints and albums whenever you’re ready.

AREAS I COVER

I photograph christenings, baptisms and naming ceremonies all over London, from my home patch in Greenwich to churches and venues right across the city.
Over the years I’ve photographed ceremonies at Brompton Oratory, the Dormition Cathedral, the Finnish Church in Rotherhithe and St Ethelburga’s in Bishopsgate, as well as celebrations afterwards at places like The Bingham in Richmond.
Every church is different, and I love getting to know a new one. I’m also happy to travel further afield, just ask.