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Baptism Photographer in Marseille: Behind the Scenes at Notre-Dame de Chaldée Church
Earlier in the summer, I was contacted by Angélique and Antoine. They had just had their first child and wanted to have the baptism photographed in Marseille. I was, of course, delighted to say yes: I’m used to photographing family occasions as well as baptisms.
This particular baptism had one small twist, though: it was celebrated according to the rite of the Chaldean Catholic Church. Nothing insurmountable, far from it — but it was a chance to discover a rite quite different from the one I’m used to, and to discover Marseille’s Notre-Dame de Chaldée church along the way.
Notre-Dame de Chaldée: An Understated Place of Worship
Marseille’s Chaldean church has one particular quirk: it’s practically invisible unless you already know it’s there. Tucked away in a residential neighbourhood, it looks, from the outside, more like a community hall than a place of worship. Once inside, you’ll find the usual layout of a church, with an altar and Christian symbols, but nothing like the centuries-old Catholic churches we’re used to seeing across France.
One Hour to Photograph a Baptism at Notre-Dame de Chaldée
The length of the Chaldean baptism seemed to me to be much the same as a Latin-rite baptism. You then need to add the time for guests to arrive and settle in, the chatting before the ceremony begins, and the group photos at the end… Angélique and Antoine had therefore asked me to stay for an hour to photograph their son’s baptism.
Chaldean Baptism: 3 Differences from the Rite You Know
The Language of the Rite
The most striking difference between a Chaldean-rite baptism and a Latin-rite one is, to my eyes — or rather, to my ears — the language. The Chaldean ceremony is conducted in Aramaic, a language I obviously don’t understand at all, but whose sounds evoke the Middle East.
The Welcome at the Church
The second difference from the baptisms we’re used to seeing in France is how the baby is welcomed. In the Latin rite, the priest greets the child on the church steps and traces a cross on their forehead. Nothing of the sort happened in the Chaldean rite, as I saw it practised — the ceremony began straight away inside the church.
The Godfather's Role in the Chaldean Rite
Throughout the ceremony, the baby’s godfather held a central role. Standing in front of the officiant, he held the baby in his arms and had to answer, on the child’s behalf — to the point of symbolically taking on his name — the questions the priest put to him. And of course, since the baptised child was, above all, a baby, he’d occasionally start crying for one reason or another, prompting his mother to step in.
One small caveat: since I don’t understand Aramaic, I had no way of following the order of the ceremony, and so couldn’t compare the Chaldean and Latin rites in any more detail.
Photographing a Religious Ceremony with Discretion
I’ve gone into quite some detail about the specifics of a Chaldean-rite baptism, but ultimately, as a baptism photographer in Marseille, that’s not what matters most: whatever the rite, whatever the religion, my role is to treat the religious ceremony with respect and discretion — whether it’s a baptism or a wedding in Provence.
In practical terms, that meant, first of all, switching my cameras to silent mode, so the sound of the shutter wouldn’t disrupt the ceremony.
Beyond adjusting my equipment, I made sure to introduce myself to the officiant before the ceremony began, to ask what I wasn’t allowed to do — and to respect his wishes. And of course, throughout the ceremony, I did my best to stay as discreet as possible and avoid disrupting anything as I moved around.
This discreet approach is something of a trademark of mine — I go into more detail in an article dedicated to a wedding photographer’s discretion.
A Family Moment, Above All
Angélique and Antoine were there to express their faith and welcome their first child into the community of God’s children. But this baptism was also an occasion for a family gathering, surrounded by their nearest and dearest.
Beyond its religious dimension, a baptism is, first and foremost, a family story: several generations brought together around a newborn, if only for the length of a ceremony. That’s the side of it I love capturing, whether it’s a baptism or a more classic family photo session — the glances exchanged between generations, the parents’ emotion, the way a child, without even knowing it, already brings their whole world together.
It’s also what sets this kind of shoot apart from a wedding: no reception logistics to manage, no couple portraits at the end of the day — just a family gathered around an important life moment, in its simplest form.
In Short: A Baptism Is a Family Moment Worth Capturing
Photographing a baptism, whether Chaldean-rite or Latin-rite, means photographing a family gathered around a child, above all else. The rite may change, the language may change, but what matters most stays the same: generations coming together, genuine emotion, and memories worth passing on.
This shoot at Notre-Dame de Chaldée let me discover a rite I didn’t know, but above all confirmed something I find every time: whether it’s a wedding in Provence or a family photo session, my role stays the same — to be present, discreet, and to capture the moment through my photos, so you can revisit it for years to come.
Planning a baptism, or another family moment you’d like captured? Let’s talk about it.
FAQ – Baptism Photographer in Marseille
What Is a Chaldean-Rite Baptism?
It's a baptism celebrated according to the tradition of the Chaldean Catholic Church, an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with Rome, whose liturgy is celebrated in Aramaic, the language spoken by Christ. Good to know: in Marseille, this community gathers in particular at the Notre-Dame de Chaldée church.
How Long Does Baptism Photography Coverage Take?
Allow around an hour for the religious ceremony itself, whether it's a Chaldean-rite or Latin-rite baptism. Good to know: you'll then need to add the time for guests to arrive and for chatting before the ceremony begins.
Do You Photograph Baptisms Outside of Weddings?
Yes, absolutely: I photograph baptisms in the same way as other family life moments. Good to know: you don't need to have booked me for your wedding for me to cover your child's baptism.
Can I Book a Family Photo Session Alongside the Ceremony?
Yes, it's entirely possible to add a family photo session before or after the ceremony, to make the most of having all your loved ones together on the day. My tip: just let me know in advance, so I can plan my time on site accordingly.
Do You Cover Religious Ceremonies from Other Traditions?
Yes, whatever the rite or religion: my role stays the same — to respect the order of the ceremony and remain as discreet as possible. Good to know: it's the same approach I take for weddings in Provence too.