A Baptism During Covid by Nina Drapacz Photography

This is the second baptism I photographed since Covid began. When I arrived, the family wanted photographs outside the church as they were prepared to have their masks on during the ceremony inside. Once inside, the priest, a family friend who had married the parents and the grandparents, told everyone they would be safe to remove their masks as everyone had been tested negative. There were no other congregants in the entire church.

As I was leaving the baby’s father asked if I was related to a good friend of his in high school as it was the same unusual last name. It turned out he was good friends with my son. He did not recognize me with my mask and I did not recognize him since he become an adult!

Greek Orthodox Baptism on the North Fork. Nina Drapacz Photography

This wonderful family contacted me to photograph their daughter’s baptism on Long Island. The ceremony was 45 minutes long. Masks were passed out at the entrance to the church along with hand sanitizer. I wore my mask as well. Some of the many traditions in a Greek Orthodox baptism include three submersions in holy water, oil and three locks of hair are cut to form a cross. The baby was certaiinly happier when it was over!

A Baptism in Greenwich Village with Relatives from Around the World. Nina Drapacz Photography

The mom had found me from a recommendation on Facebook. When I arrived early at the Church of St. Josepth in Greenwich Village I met the baby's grandfather. He told me the guests were arriving from around the world that day for this special ceremony. One daughter was arriving from Australia, he and his wife came in from India, another daughter from London, relatives from the mom's side were coming from San Francisco etc. 

Needless to say the pressure was on to document this special event in the baby's life surrounded by tons of loving relatives.